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
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
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
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