Description
A creamy and delicious Shrimp Alfredo recipe that is quick to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb. (227g) frozen shrimp (or fresh, medium-sized (36/40, peeled and deveined))
- ½ lb. (227g) fettuccine
- 2 Tbsp (28g) butter (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (75g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ⅛ tsp (0.5g) salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp (1g) black pepper (freshly cracked, or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp (15g) fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta Wisely: Start by boiling water in a pot and cooking the fettuccine until it is just al dente. You will know it is ready when it has a slight bite. Check its tenderness while stirring. If you overcook it, the pasta can become mushy in the sauce.
- Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat some oil and toss in the shrimp. After a few minutes, they should turn a lovely pink and opaque. This gives a fresh taste and juicy texture. Be cautious; if you leave them in too long, they can toughen up and get rubbery.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Lower the heat and add the heavy cream to the pan. Swoosh it around, letting it warm up gently until it starts bubbling softly. The aroma should be rich and inviting. If it gets too thick, you can fix it by adding some reserved pasta water little by little.
- Add Parmesan Gradually: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese while whisking continuously. You will enjoy the nutty aroma as it melts into the cream. Make sure you add it slowly to avoid any pesky clumps forming in your sauce.
- Mix Pasta and Shrimp: Toss the cooked fettuccine and shrimp into the sauce, letting them mingle together for a minute. Aim for a creamy coating on everything, and the pasta will absorb some flavors. Do not rush; letting it sit too long can lead to sticky pasta.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Expert Tips: Use freshly shredded Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality. If using pre-grated Parmesan, add it gradually to keep the texture smooth and prevent clumping. Always reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding pasta water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with a light green salad dressed with vinaigrette. Serve with garlic bread for a classic pairing. Add sautéed vegetables like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition.
- Recipe Variations: Replace shrimp with cooked chicken for a different flavor. Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor. Stir in some spinach or peas for added greens.
- Ingredient Notes: When selecting shrimp, look for fresh, peeled, and deveined options for optimal flavor. For a cream alternative, you can mimic heavy cream’s texture by combining milk and cream cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 592
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 852mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 0mg