Description
This Shrimp Alfredo recipe is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender shrimp and fettuccine pasta tossed in a creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting and elegant dinner that’s both simple and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- ½ lb. frozen or fresh medium-sized shrimp (36/40, peeled and deveined)
- ½ lb. fettuccine pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- â…› tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper or to taste
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw and Prepare Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely. Peel if needed and decide whether to leave tails on or remove based on your preference. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook for 7-10 minutes or until tender but firm to the bite. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain pasta in a colander.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, swirl to coat the pan and add shrimp. Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and pink without overcooking. Remove shrimp to a bowl, reserving any pan juices.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic, whisking and scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan and Season: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper according to taste.
- Combine Pasta, Shrimp, and Sauce: Return the drained pasta and cooked shrimp, including any accumulated liquid, to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.
- Reserving pasta water helps to loosen sauce and allows it to cling better to the pasta.
- For added flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic sauté step.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoother sauce.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and gently reheated with a splash of cream or milk.
