Description
A quick and easy 30-minute creamy pasta dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich garlic-infused Alfredo sauce, combined with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. Ideal for busy weeknights or any time you want a comforting, indulgent meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Aromatics
- 1 lb fresh or thawed, peeled, and deveined shrimp
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp butter
Sauce
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Reserved pasta water (a splash, optional, for loosening sauce)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Peel and devein shrimp if needed, finely mince garlic cloves, and freshly grate Parmesan cheese. Having everything ready makes cooking smooth and quick.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for later use, and set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp and Garlic: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet with garlic butter residue. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the drained fettuccine. Gently toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp in the Alfredo sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the cheesy garlic shrimp Alfredo and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a splash of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese greatly enhance the flavor.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly and becomes rubbery if overcooked; watch carefully.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Use reserved starchy pasta water to loosen the Alfredo sauce without watering down flavor.
- Low and Slow Sauce: Avoid boiling the Alfredo sauce; gentle simmering keeps it silky.
- Shred Cheese Yourself: Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that reduce smooth melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: shrimp alfredo, garlic shrimp pasta, cheesy shrimp pasta, quick shrimp alfredo, creamy shrimp pasta