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Creamy shrimp Alfredo pasta with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese in white bowl

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta


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  • Author: Ines Zahraoui
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This restaurant-quality shrimp Alfredo pasta features perfectly cooked shrimp in a silky, homemade Alfredo sauce that’s rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible. Master the timing and techniques for perfect results every time.


Ingredients

Scale

1 pound large shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined

12 ounces fettuccine pasta

1 cup heavy cream

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 teaspoon salt (for seasoning shrimp)

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)

2 tablespoons of cream cheese (my secret ingredient!)


Instructions

The Sequential Cooking Method

Step 1: Get a big pot of water boiling first. Add a bunch of salt – like 2 tablespoons. The water should taste salty, almost like seawater.

Step 2: While that’s heating up, pat your shrimp completely dry and season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Don’t skip the drying part!

Step 3: Heat your biggest pan over medium-high heat with some olive oil. When you flick a drop of water in there, it should sizzle immediately.

Step 4: Put the shrimp in the hot pan and don’t touch them! Let them cook for about 90 seconds until the bottom turns pink.

Step 5: Flip them over and cook another 90 seconds. They should be curled up and pink all over. Take them out right away and set them aside.

Step 6: Drop your pasta in the boiling water and cook according to the box directions. Before you drain it, save a cup of that starchy pasta water – you’ll need it for your Shrimp Alfredo

The Sauce Symphony

Step 1: Turn your heat way down to low and add 4 tablespoons of butter to the same pan. Let it melt slowly.

Step 2: Pour in a cup of heavy cream while whisking. Keep whisking the whole time so it doesn’t get lumpy.

Step 3: Let it warm up for about a minute. You’ll see tiny bubbles around the edges, but don’t let it actually boil or your Shrimp Alfredo Pasta sauce will break.

Step 4: Add your Parmesan cheese bit by bit, whisking after each handful. Watch it melt into this beautiful, silky sauce.

Step 5: Put your cooked shrimp back in along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together gently.

Step 6: If it looks too thick, add a splash of that pasta water you saved. Keep adding until your Shrimp Alfredo Pasta looks creamy and coats all the noodles.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook shrimp – they continue cooking from residual heat
  • Save pasta water – the starch helps bind the sauce
  • Serve immediately for best texture
  • Fresh Parmesan makes a significant difference over pre-grated
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Mediterranean Dinner Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 (1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 485 kcal
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 195mg