Description
This Shrimp Alfredo recipe is a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and tossed with fettuccine in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfectly balanced with a hint of black pepper and optional fresh parsley garnish, it’s an indulgent yet straightforward meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound raw shrimp (fully thawed, peeled, and deveined)
- Salt and black pepper (to season)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 tablespoons butter (divided)
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Cook 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 Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sauté 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 lightly golden, pink, and just cooked through. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Make Roux: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Incorporate Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened without boiling.
- 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 evenly coated. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
- Combine Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss to combine everything evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional black pepper if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Optionally substitute fettuccine with linguine or tagliatelle if preferred.
- This dish can be made dairy-free by substituting butter and cream with plant-based alternatives, though the taste will differ.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Shrimp Alfredo, Shrimp Pasta, Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, Italian Dinner, Easy Shrimp Recipe, Garlic Parmesan Pasta, Quick Pasta Dinner
