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Creamy Shrimp Pasta

As seen in: Family Dinner Ideas That Bring Everyone to the Table

Shrimp Alfredo is all about tender shrimp mixed with pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Start with al dente fettuccine, sauté shrimp until just cooked, and whip up a smooth sauce of garlic, butter, cream, and cheese. Toss everything together for a comforting, flavorful meal. Top it all with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra kick. It’s a balanced, restaurant-level dish that's easy to make at home.
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Refreshed on Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:12:22 GMT
Shrimp Alfredo Save it
Shrimp Alfredo | iamcooker.com

Mix tender shrimp with creamy homemade Alfredo sauce in this delicious Italian-American pasta favorite. This stunning dish turns basic ingredients into a fancy meal, showing you can make restaurant-quality food right at home. The mix of juicy seafood, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta delivers an amazing dinner in just 30 minutes.

I came across this shrimp Alfredo version while taking a cooking workshop in Italy. The teacher stressed using top-notch ingredients and timing everything just right, which turns this basic meal into something amazing. Whenever I cook it now, the smell of garlic and parmesan sends me back to that tiny kitchen in Tuscany.

Key Ingredients

  • Plump large shrimp: They add a gentle sweetness to every bite. Go for wild-caught if you can for better flavor
  • Whipping cream: This makes the base for a smooth, thick sauce that hugs all the other ingredients
  • Newly grated Parmesan: Gives tangy, salty kicks while naturally making the sauce thicker
  • Great pasta: Fettuccine works best, with its shape that grabs onto all that yummy sauce
  • Raw garlic and parsley: They add fresh, aromatic flavors throughout the dish

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Getting Your Pasta Ready:
Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil. Throw in plenty of salt for flavor. Cook your fettuccine until it's just a bit firm. Save a cup of the cooking water before you drain it.
Cook Your Shrimp Right:
Wipe those shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle them with salt and fresh black pepper. Get your pan nice and hot until the oil starts to shimmer, then toss in the shrimp. Cook them just until they turn pink to keep them juicy.
Whip Up That Amazing Sauce:
Melt butter and cook fresh garlic in it. Pour in cream bit by bit while you keep stirring. Mix in some broth slowly to get the right thickness. Stir in cheese until it's all smooth. If needed, splash in some of that saved pasta water.
Mix Everything Together:
Put your pasta back in the pan and toss it around to coat it well. Add the shrimp and warm everything through gently. Taste and add more seasonings if needed. Top with fresh herbs and extra cheese before serving.
Tasty Shrimp Alfredo Save it
Tasty Shrimp Alfredo | iamcooker.com

Crafting the Perfect Sauce

Making an awesome Alfredo sauce takes some care and focus. The secret is adding everything in a certain order and watching your heat level. This way your sauce stays smooth and doesn't break apart, coating pasta beautifully.

Watching Your Heat

Getting the temperature just right keeps your sauce smooth and your shrimp tender. Your pan should be warm enough for a gentle bubble but never hot enough for a full boil, which might make your creamy sauce split apart.

Rounding Out Your Dinner

Serve this rich pasta with a simple green salad dressed in lemony dressing for a nice contrast. Some warm garlic bread helps mop up all that tasty sauce, and a cool glass of white wine makes everything even better.

Delicious Shrimp Alfredo Save it
Delicious Shrimp Alfredo | iamcooker.com

Over the years of making this dish, I've figured out that grating your own Parmesan makes the creamiest sauce. This tiny change really improves both how it feels in your mouth and how it tastes.

After making this dish so many times, I've learned these tricks always give you food that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. The secret to amazing shrimp Alfredo is giving each part the attention it deserves. When you do it right, this meal shows you can make incredible Italian food in any kitchen.

Common Questions

→ Can I cook this with frozen shrimp?
Definitely! Just let them thaw fully and pat them dry so they cook evenly and brown properly.
→ What’s the trick to a smooth Alfredo sauce?
Don’t let it boil after you add cheese. Keep the heat low, mix constantly, and the sauce will stay smooth.
→ Is this dish good for meal prep?
It’s best fresh, but you can prep parts ahead—just warm them slowly with some cream to bring the sauce back to life.
→ Any substitutes for heavy cream?
Heavy cream works best, but you can try combining some butter with half-and-half for a lighter swap.
→ Why does the sauce sometimes get gritty?
This happens if the cheese is added to a too-hot mix or if it’s pre-grated. Stick to fresh Parmesan and gentle heat.

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Juicy shrimp and silky fettuccine swim in a Parmesan-infused cream sauce, making this Shrimp Alfredo a simple yet elegant choice for dinner.

Preparation
15 Mins
Cooking Duration
25 Mins
Complete Duration
40 Mins
By: sofia


Complexity: Moderate

Origin: Italian-American

Output: 4 Portions (4 large servings)

Diet Types: ~

What You'll Need

→ Shrimp and Pasta

01 1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and ready to cook
02 8 ounces fettuccine noodles
03 A tablespoon of olive oil (extra virgin)
04 Salt and black pepper, adjusted to taste

→ Sauce with Cream

05 1 cup chicken broth
06 A cup of heavy whipping cream
07 3 garlic cloves, minced fresh
08 1 cup Parmesan, shredded fresh
09 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Toppings

10 Chopped parsley for sprinkling
11 Extra Parmesan for serving
12 Optional red pepper flakes for heat

Preparation Steps

01 Step

Fill a big pot with water, season it well with salt, and let it boil. Drop in the fettuccine and cook following the packet's timing, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until it's just tender. Drain the water and toss it lightly with some olive oil so it doesn't stick together.

02 Step

Coat the shrimp in a bit of olive oil, then season with pepper and salt. Place a large pan on medium to high heat. Sear the shrimp for about 2 or 3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and curl a little. If you'd like to spice it up, throw in some red pepper flakes. Remove the shrimp and keep them aside for later.

03 Step

Heat butter in the same pan, then stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly, just until it smells great (around a minute). Add chicken broth and cream, making sure to scrape up any bits stuck at the bottom. Let the mixture gently bubble and reduce for a few minutes, around 3 to 5. Stir the Parmesan in until everything blends into a smooth and creamy texture.

04 Step

Toss the cooked pasta in the creamy sauce until it's fully coated. Add the cooked shrimp gently and allow them to heat up with the rest. Plate it up immediately and finish with parsley, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like the heat.

Additional Tips

  1. Cooking pasta until just al dente gives it the best bite.
  2. Freshly grated Parmesan ensures a silky sauce.
  3. Pairs well with a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

Required Equipment

  • Big pot for boiling pasta
  • Colander for draining
  • Cheese shredder
  • Large sauté pan

Allergen Notice

Review ingredients for possible allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Includes shellfish (shrimp)
  • Includes dairy (cream, Parmesan, butter)
  • Contains gluten (from the pasta)