Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine: A Dreamy Homemade Alfredo Recipe

Whipping up a creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta can turn an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Seafood lovers appreciate how quickly this dish comes together with minimal ingredients.

Succulent shrimp nestled in rich, velvety sauce create a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Each twirl of pasta captures a delicate balance of flavors that dance across your palate.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in transforming simple components into something extraordinary.

Parmesan cheese and garlic add depth to this classic Italian-inspired comfort food.

You’ll want to savor every luxurious bite of this decadent pasta that promises to impress even the most discerning dinner guests.

Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta With Homemade Alfredo Sauce—A Total Showstopper

• Craft a Gourmet Meal: Transform your kitchen into a restaurant-style dining experience with this restaurant-quality shrimp fettuccine that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Master Quick Cooking Techniques: Learn professional sautéing and sauce-making skills that elevate your culinary expertise while preparing a delicious dinner in minimal time.
• Enjoy Versatile Dinner Option: Perfect for romantic dinners, family gatherings, or a sophisticated weeknight meal that impresses without complicated preparation steps.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding vegetables, adjusting spice levels, or substituting ingredients to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients That Make Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Shine

• Fettuccine: Classic Italian pasta that serves as the base for this creamy dish.

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that provides a succulent and tender protein element to the recipe.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich and smooth foundation for the Alfredo sauce.
• Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Dairy ingredients that contribute to the sauce's luxurious and creamy texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory undertone to the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh garnish and subtle herbal note.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a hint of heat and optional spiciness to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing garlic and shrimp.

How To Get Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Just Right

Step 1: Boil Pasta Water

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a vigorous boil over high heat.

Step 2: Prepare Shrimp

Carefully dry shrimp using paper towels, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook until it becomes aromatic and develops a golden hue, about 30-45 seconds.

Step 4: Cook Shrimp

Introduce seasoned shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they transform into a beautiful pink color with a light golden crust. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 5: Create Sauce Base

In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat, creating a rich foundation for the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Build Sauce Liquid

Pour in heavy cream and whole milk, stirring consistently to prevent burning and ensure a silky smooth texture.

Step 7: Incorporate Cheese

Gradually whisk grated parmesan cheese into the liquid, continuing until the sauce becomes thick, luxurious, and fully combined.

Step 8: Cook Pasta

Carefully drop fettuccine into the boiling water, cooking until it reaches al dente perfection, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking water.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is beautifully coated. Add reserved pasta water if needed to achieve the perfect consistency.

Step 10: Reunite Shrimp and Pasta

Tenderly reintroduce sautéed shrimp into the pasta, stirring to warm through and distribute evenly.

Step 11: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes over the dish for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Present the creamy shrimp fettuccine immediately, straight from the skillet, while it’s piping hot and irresistibly delicious.

Game-Changing Tips For Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta

• Control Pasta Cooking: Watch pasta closely and test for al dente texture by tasting a strand – it should have a slight bite in the center.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Maintain medium-low heat when adding cheese to the cream mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth, silky sauce.
• Reserve Pasta Water: Keep a small cup of starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick or dry during final mixing.
• Balance Seasoning: Taste the sauce before adding pasta and adjust salt and pepper levels carefully, remembering parmesan cheese adds natural saltiness.

Switch Things Up In Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Style

• Vegetarian Seafood Swap: Replace shrimp with plant-based alternatives like king oyster mushrooms or hearts of palm, sliced and seared to mimic seafood texture and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute regular fettuccine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour, ensuring the same creamy texture and flavor profile.
• Lighter Cream Version: Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to reduce calories while maintaining a rich, smooth sauce consistency and maintaining overall dish integrity.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash strands, keeping the signature creamy sauce and shrimp components while reducing carbohydrate intake.

Tasty Pairings For Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Nights

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy sauce and enhance the delicate shrimp flavors, cutting through the richness with bright, refreshing acidity.
• Create Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare toasted crusty bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil, providing a crunchy texture contrast to the smooth fettuccine and offering a perfect sauce-soaking side dish.
• Match Fresh Herb Salad: Toss a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette, introducing a tangy, herbaceous element that balances the pasta's decadent cream sauce and adds nutritional variety to the meal.

How To Save Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Without Losing The Creaminess

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, ensuring the pasta is completely cooled before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks, but note cream-based sauces might slightly separate upon thawing.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add splash of milk or water to restore sauce consistency. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly and prevent drying.
• Warm pasta in skillet over medium-low heat, adding small amount of cream or water to revive sauce. Stir gently and continuously until heated through, preventing sauce from breaking or pasta becoming rubbery.

Your Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta Q&A Stop

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before seasoning to ensure proper cooking and prevent excess moisture.

• What type of parmesan cheese works best?

Use freshly grated parmesan from a block for the smoothest and most flavorful sauce, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and curl slightly, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side – be careful not to overcook.

• Is it possible to make this dish less rich?

Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter quantity to create a lighter version of the sauce without losing flavor complexity.

Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta With Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta showcases Italian culinary magic with luxurious homemade alfredo sauce coating tender ocean-fresh shrimp. Silky noodles and succulent seafood create an irresistible dinner experience you’ll savor with pure Mediterranean delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream

Dairy:

• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Seasonings and Extras:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil at high heat for cooking the fettuccine pasta.
2. While water heats, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden, approximately 30-45 seconds.
4. Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a light golden exterior, then remove and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat, creating a rich base for the Alfredo sauce.
6. Pour heavy cream and whole milk into the butter, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and create a smooth liquid mixture.
7. Gradually whisk in grated parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes thick, creamy, and completely integrated.
8. Drop fettuccine into boiling water, cooking until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain while reserving a small amount of pasta water.
9. Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated and adding reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
10. Gently reintroduce sautéed shrimp into the pasta, stirring to warm through and distribute evenly.
11. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes over the dish for added flavor and visual appeal.
12. Serve immediately while hot, presenting the creamy shrimp fettuccine directly from the skillet.

Notes

• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden sear and prevent excess moisture during cooking.
• Reserve some pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping the Alfredo sauce cling perfectly to each pasta strand.
• Grate parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor and smoother sauce integration, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese which can contain anti-caking agents.
• Use medium-low heat when making the Alfredo sauce to prevent separation and ensure a silky, smooth texture without burning the delicate cream base.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg