Shrimp Alfredo
Shrimp Alfredo is a rich and creamy Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender shrimp and a velvety Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This quick and easy recipe delivers a comforting yet elegant meal ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Customize it with herbs, spices, or vegetables to suit your taste.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 12 oz fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (optional, for sauce consistency)
Garnish (Optional)
- Prepare the Shrimp: Season peeled and deveined shrimp lightly with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside to avoid overcooking.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer, then gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss in the drained pasta, mixing thoroughly. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce if too thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and fresh flavor. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by crusty bread or your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Do not overcook shrimp; cook only until pink to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and authentic flavor.
- Simmer sauce gently; avoid boiling to prevent the cream from curdling.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and enhance texture.
- Customize sauce thickness by adjusting the amounts of cream or Parmesan cheese as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: Shrimp Alfredo, creamy pasta, Italian-American dish, quick dinner, seafood pasta, Alfredo sauce, fettuccine, easy weeknight meal