Shrimp Alfredo

Shrimp Alfredo is creamy, garlicky, and delicious! Tender fettuccine noodles are tossed in a homemade garlic alfredo sauce and loaded up with succulent shrimp and parmesan cheese. This quick and easy, under 30-minute recipe is a go-to for busy nights and a year-round family favorite!

With just a bit of multitasking, you can make this simple pasta entree completely from scratch. Served warm on its own or with a bread side, it makes a comforting meal after a long day at work or school without taking hours of preparation. But it's fancy enough for special occasions like anniversaries and date nights.

Why You'll Love this Shrimp Alfredo

• Homemade cheesy alfredo sauce. What makes this dish so uniquely delicious and comforting is the rich, garlicky cream sauce. Made with fresh garlic, real heavy cream, and a heap of freshly grated parmesan, this sauce is hard to beat.
• Better than store-bought or restaurant versions. You’ll never be tempted to buy a freezer fettuccine alfredo again, because this restaurant-worthy pasta is good down to the last drop of sauce. The wholesome ingredients and perfectly cooked shrimp will have you coming back for seconds!
• Ready in under 30 minutes. This shrimp pasta is as speedy as it is tasty! From start to finish, the whole thing takes only 25 minutes to make, and some of the steps are as simple as boiling water for pasta — which you can totally multitask while cooking the shrimp alfredo sauce making it ready even faster!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious and easy Shrimp Alfredo, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• fettuccine - alfredo is traditionally made with fettuccine noodles, but you can use your favorite shape of pasta. Linguine and spaghetti noodles are both common substitutes for fettuccine — just follow the cooking time on the package.
• butter - use unsalted butter for the most control over the flavor. For a more lactose-friendly version, use a vegan butter substitute instead.
• garlic - freshly minced garlic yields the best flavor, but you can use pre-minced garlic at a ratio of ½-1 teaspoon per clove of garlic called for in this recipe.
• vegetable stock - you can use homemade or store-bought stock! You can also try seafood stock or make your own from the shells of the shrimp for a richer seafood flavor.
• heavy cream - if you don’t have heavy cream on hand, use an equal amount of whole milk or half-and-half. If you or someone in your family has a dairy sensitivity, try coconut milk or cream instead.
• large shrimp - shrimp from the seafood counter or frozen shrimp are both fine to use — just make sure they’re thawed, peeled, deveined, and tails removed before cooking.
• parmesan cheese - Asiago or pecorino romano would work well in place of the parmesan. You can also use a vegan parmesan-style alternative or nutritional yeast.
• parsley - out of fresh parsley? Try using dried parsley or other fresh soft herbs like dill or basil!
• salt and pepper

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, cooking pot, and large skillet.

How to Make the Best Shrimp Alfredo

1. Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add fettuccine and a little bit of salt and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 10 minutes for dry pasta (3-5 minutes for fresh fettuccine). Drain the noodles well and set aside.

2. Make sauce. While cooking the pasta, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in chicken stock and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add shrimp. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink. 

4. Add cheese. Add Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Mix well until smooth and thickened to a desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Toss in pasta. Add cooked fettuccine and toss well to coat.

6. Serve. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan, if desired, and serve warm.

How to Serve

This Shrimp Alfredo is delicious served on its own, or make it go a little further with some delicious sides such as steamed veggies (broccoli is a great one!) and breadsticks to scoop up every last bit of creamy sauce. Our favorites are:

• Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Caprese Salad
• Bruschetta
• Garlic Breadsticks
• Stuffed Eggplant

For more, see our 30 Side Dishes for Pasta.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Transfer cooled shrimp alfredo to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftover shrimp pasta on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through or microwave on medium power for 60-90 seconds until warm.

How to Freeze

Transfer leftover shrimp alfredo to a freezer-safe, airtight container such as an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat as directed above.

More Pasta Recipes

• 40 Best Pasta Recipes
• Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Fettuccine Alfredo
• Mascarpone Pesto Pasta
• Creamy Salmon Pasta

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