Description
This Shrimp Alfredo recipe is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring tender shrimp cooked to perfection and coated in a rich, homemade Alfredo sauce. Made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan, this classic Italian-American favorite is perfect for a satisfying dinner that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound raw shrimp (fully thawed, peeled, and deveined)
- Salt and black pepper, to season
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 5 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry using paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until shrimp turn lightly golden, pink, and are just cooked through. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Make the roux: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add flour: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux, which will help thicken the sauce.
- Incorporate cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it slightly thickens, taking care not to let it boil.
- Add cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and toss until the pasta is evenly coated. Use a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Combine shrimp and serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss to combine everything evenly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional black pepper if desired, then serve immediately for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for better melt and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- You can swap fettuccine for other pasta shapes like linguine or tagliatelle if preferred.
- Ensure shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry to get a nice sear without steaming.
- Do not boil the cream sauce to prevent curdling; a gentle simmer is ideal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Shrimp Alfredo, Fettuccine Alfredo, Creamy Shrimp Pasta, Italian Dinner, Easy Alfredo Recipe
