🎉 Introduction
This Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner: plump, juicy shrimp cooked in a luxurious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce tossed with tender pasta. It’s rich, comforting, and comes together in just 30 minutes—better than takeout, but simple enough for busy nights. This restaurant-quality dish will satisfy all your creamy pasta cravings with minimal effort! 🍤✨
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Tongs or spatula
- Knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
🍤 Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
🍝 Pasta & Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine, linguine, or pasta of choice
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
🌿 Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water before draining; set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp
Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter.
Add shrimp in a single layer; cook 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Step 3: Make Alfredo Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Step 4: Combine & Serve
Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet; toss to coat evenly in sauce.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Veggie Boost: Add spinach, mushrooms, or peas.
- Cajun Kick: Season shrimp with Cajun spice blend.
- Low Carb: Use zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
- Protein Swap: Use chicken or scallops instead of shrimp.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk until heated through.
Freezer: Not recommended; cream sauce can separate.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes—thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
What pasta shapes work best?
Fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti are classic, but penne or rotini work too.
Can I make it lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but sauce will be thinner.
How do I keep shrimp tender?
Cook quickly over high heat; avoid overcooking.
Can I add lemon?
Yes—a splash of lemon juice brightens the dish.
Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta.
Can I prep ahead?
Sauce is best made fresh, but you can prep shrimp and pasta ahead.
How do I make it spicier?
Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—skip red pepper flakes for a milder dish.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a large skillet or cook in batches.
📝 Conclusion
This Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is a rich, comforting meal that turns any weeknight into something special. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect way to indulge in a restaurant-worthy dish at home—creamy, cheesy, and full of juicy shrimp! 🍤🍝
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta – Rich, Comforting & Ready in 30 Minutes!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water before draining; set aside.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter.
- Add shrimp in a single layer; cook 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet; toss to coat evenly in sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Veggie Boost: Add spinach, mushrooms, or peas. Cajun Kick: Season shrimp with Cajun spice blend. Low Carb: Use zucchini noodles instead of pasta. Protein Swap: Use chicken or scallops instead of shrimp. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk until heated through.
Freezer: Not recommended; cream sauce can separate. ❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes—thaw completely and pat dry before cooking. What pasta shapes work best?
Fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti are classic, but penne or rotini work too. Can I make it lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but sauce will be thinner. How do I keep shrimp tender?
Cook quickly over high heat; avoid overcooking. Can I add lemon?
Yes—a splash of lemon juice brightens the dish. Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta. Can I prep ahead?
Sauce is best made fresh, but you can prep shrimp and pasta ahead. How do I make it spicier?
Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce. Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—skip red pepper flakes for a milder dish. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a large skillet or cook in batches. 📝 Conclusion
This Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is a rich, comforting meal that turns any weeknight into something special. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect way to indulge in a restaurant-worthy dish at home—creamy, cheesy, and full of juicy shrimp! 🍤🍝
