Description
This Shrimp Alfredo recipe is a quick and delicious gourmet meal featuring tender shrimp tossed in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Served over fettuccine noodles and garnished with fresh parsley, it comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lb fettuccine noodles (or favorite kind of pasta)
For the Shrimp
- 1.5 lbs large shrimp, thawed and peeled, tails optional
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, set aside, and keep warm.
- Prepare the Parmesan cheese: While the pasta cooks, grate the Parmesan cheese and set it aside at room temperature to allow it to melt smoothly into the sauce later.
- Make the Alfredo sauce: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter and add the finely minced garlic, stirring frequently for about 1 minute to release its flavor without browning. Pour in the heavy cream and whisk continuously to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching. Turn the heat to low and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat all strands evenly.
- Cook the shrimp: Season the peeled shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and are opaque throughout, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve: Plate the Alfredo-coated pasta and top with several cooked shrimp. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- This recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an easy gourmet meal option.
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for a smoother sauce.
- You can customize the pasta choice to your preference, such as linguine or penne instead of fettuccine.
- Use fresh shrimp if available, but frozen shrimp thawed properly works just as well.
- Garnishing with parsley adds visual appeal and a fresh herb flavor to balance the richness of the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 879
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1132 mg
- Fat: 56 g
- Saturated Fat: 32 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 353 mg
