Luscious Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Crafting a delectable creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta with homemade alfredo sauce feels like culinary magic.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate this luxurious comfort dish that combines tender shrimp and silky pasta.

Restaurants charge premium prices for such elegant meals, but you can easily recreate this experience at home.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in transforming simple components into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Smooth, rich sauce coats each strand of pasta, while succulent shrimp add delightful texture and protein.

Minimal kitchen skills work perfectly for this straightforward recipe that impresses everyone around the table.

Prepare to savor every single bite of this irresistible Italian-inspired classic.

Instructions For Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted water until tender. Drain and set pasta aside, keeping it warm and ready for the next stage of your culinary adventure.

Step 2: Prepare Shrimp

Pat shrimp completely dry using paper towels. Season with salt and black pepper, ensuring each piece gets an even coating of delicious seasoning.

Step 3: Melt Butter

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Drop butter into the pan and watch it melt, creating a golden, bubbling base for your sauce.

Step 4: Sauté Garlic

Toss minced garlic into the melted butter. Stir quickly for about 30-45 seconds, allowing the garlic to release its aromatic flavors without burning.

Step 5: Cook Shrimp

Slide seasoned shrimp into the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they transform into a beautiful pink color with a light golden edge.

Step 6: Remove Shrimp

Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate. Keep them warm and ready to rejoin the dish later.

Step 7: Create Cream Base

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk

Whisk continuously to create a smooth, silky foundation for your sauce.

Step 8: Make Alfredo Sauce

Gradually sprinkle in grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely, transforming the cream into a thick, luxurious sauce.

Step 9: Season Sauce

• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper

Adjust seasonings to match your taste preferences.

Step 10: Reunite Shrimp

Gently return cooked shrimp to the skillet. Fold them into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece gets a perfect coating.

Step 11: Combine Pasta

Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet. Toss everything together, making sure the pasta is evenly dressed in the rich, creamy sauce.

Step 12: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is at its most inviting.

Tips For Restaurant-Style Shrimp Alfredo

• Maximize Pasta Perfection: Cook fettuccine exactly 8-10 minutes to achieve that perfect al dente texture, ensuring a delightful bite without mushiness.
• Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Watch for that lovely pink color and light golden edges when sautéing shrimp, which signals they're perfectly cooked and tender.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk cream and milk continuously while adding parmesan to prevent lumps and develop a consistently smooth, luxurious alfredo sauce.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Toast red pepper flakes briefly in butter before adding other ingredients to release their robust, spicy essence and enhance overall dish complexity.
• Elevate Presentation: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley just before serving to add vibrant color, fresh herbaceous notes, and a professional restaurant-style finish.

Flavor Options For Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

• Gluten-Free Shrimp Alfredo: Replace traditional fettuccine with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta made from rice or chickpea flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Seafood Option: Swap pasta with cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the rich, creamy sauce and protein-packed shrimp.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese, and plant-based butter to create a lactose-free alternative that maintains the dish's creamy texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and swap red pepper flakes for harissa paste to transform the classic recipe into a Mediterranean-inspired seafood pasta.

What To Serve With Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Reach for a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy shrimp alfredo, cutting through the richness with bright, refreshing acidity.
• Create Garlic Bread Sidekick: Prepare warm, buttery garlic bread with crushed herbs to soak up the luxurious alfredo sauce, adding a crunchy texture contrast to the smooth pasta.
• Select Crisp Green Salad: Toss together a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, providing a zesty, peppery counterpoint to the decadent shrimp and cream sauce.
• Match Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or basil on top to enhance the dish's freshness and add a vibrant green color that brightens the creamy white sauce.

Best Storage For Leftover Alfredo Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, preventing freezer burn by removing excess air.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore sauce's creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.

Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine FAQs

• Why should I pat the shrimp dry before cooking?

Patting shrimp dry helps remove excess moisture, which allows them to develop a beautiful golden color and prevents steaming instead of searing, ensuring a better texture and more flavorful result.

• How do I know when shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and curl slightly, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, so watch them carefully during cooking.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp work well. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator, then pat dry thoroughly before seasoning and cooking to achieve the best texture and flavor.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

• Conquer Weeknight Cooking: This shrimp alfredo recipe transforms a potentially complicated dish into a simple, achievable meal that even beginner cooks can master with confidence.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust spice levels by modifying red pepper flakes or swap proteins like chicken or scallops to match your flavor preferences and dietary needs.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Craft a luxurious restaurant-style dinner without expensive dining out costs, impressing family and friends with professional-looking culinary skills.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Uses common pantry staples and requires just one skillet, minimizing kitchen cleanup and making this recipe a practical choice for busy households.

Everything You Need For Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

• Fettuccine: A classic long, flat pasta that provides a perfect base for capturing the creamy sauce.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood that adds a delicate, sweet flavor and protein to the dish.

• Butter: Creates a rich, smooth foundation for the alfredo sauce.
• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Provide a luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Offers a pungent, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a subtle heat and complexity to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh finish and a pop of color to the dish.

Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta With Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta with homemade alfredo sauce delivers restaurant-quality comfort right to home kitchens. Luxurious seafood and silky sauce promise a gourmet experience you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein:

• 1 lb fettuccine pasta
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

Seasoning and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook fettuccine until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it starts to foam and become fragrant.
4. Add minced garlic to the butter and sauté for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
5. Carefully add seasoned shrimp to the skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a light golden color.
6. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside, keeping them warm.
7. In the same skillet, pour heavy cream and whole milk, whisking continuously to create a smooth base.
8. Gradually sprinkle grated parmesan cheese into the cream mixture, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes thick and creamy.
9. Incorporate red pepper flakes and additional black pepper into the alfredo sauce, adjusting seasoning to taste.
10. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, gently folding them into the creamy sauce.
11. Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet, tossing everything together until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
12. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Perfectly pat dry shrimp to achieve crispy, golden exterior and prevent watery cooking that dilutes flavor.
• Toast garlic briefly to release aromatic oils without burning, creating a rich foundational flavor for the sauce.
• Select fresh, high-quality parmesan cheese for authentic, creamy texture and deeper umami taste in alfredo sauce.
• Substitute lactose-free milk and cheese for dairy-sensitive diets, maintaining similar creamy consistency and richness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 754
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 215 mg