Description
This Shrimp Alfredo recipe offers a rich and creamy Italian-American classic, featuring tender shrimp and fettuccine pasta tossed in a luscious Parmesan and garlic-heavy cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting yet elegant dinner, it combines the flavors of succulent seafood with a velvety sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the sauce and shrimp.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside, leaving any oil and bits in the pan.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Continue stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Toss Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and shrimp are well coated with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese on top for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the dish before serving.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce variant.
- Add steamed broccoli or your favorite vegetables to create a more balanced meal.
- Ensure shrimp are cooked just until pink to avoid toughness.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
