Shrimp Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food with tender shrimp seared to perfection and a velvety alfredo sauce made from scratch and tossed with fettuccine and sprinkled with fresh parsley,
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
- Versatile: You can customize it to suit your preferences with endless variations.
- Restaurant Quality: Brings the taste of your favorite Italian restaurant to your home kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen, deveined shrimp. Large or jumbo shrimp work best for this dish.
- Pasta: Fettuccine is traditional, but penne, linguine, or spaghetti are excellent alternatives.
- Butter and Garlic: The base of a flavorful Alfredo sauce.
- Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: Key components of the rich, creamy sauce.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and a hint of nutmeg for depth.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness
Tips and Tricks for the Best Shrimp Alfredo
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly—just 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Use Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Grating your own Parmesan ensures the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Adding a splash of starchy pasta water helps emulsify the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: This keeps the pasta from becoming mushy as it absorbs the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Alfredo sauce tends to thicken as it cools, so enjoy it fresh off the stove.
Variations to Try
- Protein Swaps:
- Chicken Alfredo: Replace shrimp with grilled or pan-seared chicken breast.
- Vegetarian Alfredo: Skip the shrimp and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
- Add Heat: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Options: Blend in Romano or Asiago cheese for added flavor complexity.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the Alfredo sauce over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
How to Serve Shrimp Alfredo
Shrimp Alfredo is a star on its own, but pairing it with complementary sides takes it to the next level:
- Garlic Bread: Perfect for mopping up the creamy sauce.
- Caesar Salad: Adds a crisp, refreshing contrast.
- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make excellent sides
How to Store and Reheat Shrimp Alfredo
If you have leftovers (a rare occurrence!), here’s how to store them:
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid microwaving as it can overcook the shrimp and cause the sauce to separate.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as cream-based sauces can separate when thawed.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Yes, pre-cooked shrimp can be used. Add them to the sauce during the last minute of cooking to heat through without overcooking.
2. Is heavy cream necessary?
For authentic Alfredo sauce, heavy cream is ideal. However, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
3. How can I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Ensure the heat is low when combining the cream and Parmesan. High heat can cause the cheese to clump and the sauce to separate.
4. What’s the best pasta for Alfredo sauce?
Fettuccine is traditional, but any pasta that holds sauce well, such as linguine, penne, or even pappardelle, works beautifully.
Shrimp Alfredo
Shrimp Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food with tender shrimp seared to perfection and a velvety alfredo sauce made from scratch and tossed with fettuccine and sprinkled with fresh parsley,
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, thawed and peeled
- 1 Tablespoon butter
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb fettucine noodles
- fresh chopped parsley , for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a pot as per the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add butter or oil.
- Once hot, add minced garlic, stir cook for a minute. Add heavy cream and combine well, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stiring in between.
- Reduce heat to low and add parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Heat a large skillet on medium high heat. Add butter, once melted add the shrimp seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-4 minutes or until pink.
- On a serving plate, add the creamy pasta, with shrimp on the top and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 815Total Fat 58gSaturated Fat 35gTrans Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 403mgSodium 1887mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 42g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Check my other shrimp recipes:
Final Thoughts
Shrimp Alfredo is a dish that feels fancy without the fuss. Its luscious sauce, tender shrimp, and comforting pasta make it a perennial favorite. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is simple to master and endlessly adaptable. Pair it with your favorite wine and prepare for rave reviews from your guests—or just yourself!
