Perfect Shrimp Alfredo Creamy Garlicky RestaurantQuality

Velvety Shrimp Alfredo

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Large Shrimp (21/25 count), peeled and deveined
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 12 oz Fettuccine Pasta
• 6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 4 large cloves Fresh Garlic, finely minced
• 1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream (35% fat)
• 1 1/2 cups Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
• 1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper (or more)
• Salt to taste
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1/2 cup Reserved Pasta Water (or as needed)

Instructions:

• Cook the fettuccine in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until perfectly al dente (1-2 minutes less than package directions). Crucially: Reserve at least 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
• Season the shrimp lightly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside immediately to prevent overcooking.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced fresh garlic. Sauté gently for about 60 seconds until fragrant—do not let the garlic brown.
• Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer (tiny bubbles around the edge, not a vigorous boil). Cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing it to slightly reduce.
• Remove the skillet completely from the heat source. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a small handful at a time, ensuring each addition is fully melted and incorporated before adding the next.
• If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in the reserved starchy pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth, glossy, and coats the back of a spoon beautifully.
• Return the cooked pasta and the sautéed shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything gently until the pasta is thoroughly coated. Add the generous grinding of black pepper and adjust salt if necessary.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	2986 kcal
Protein	32.3 g
Fat	96.0 g
Carbs	96.0 g
Fiber	25.8 g
Sodium	588 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	Italian-American

Unlocking the Secrets to Velvety, Restaurant-Grade Shrimp Alfredo

Right then, let's get cracking on what is, quite frankly, one of the most comforting and satisfying pasta dishes known to humanity: Shrimp Alfredo . It’s a classic for a reason, but getting that sauce absolutely spot-on—silky, rich, but not gloopy—that’s where the magic happens. This isn't your Aunt Mildred’s heavy, overly cheesy fettuccine; this is the real deal. We're pairing succulent, perfectly seasoned shrimp with a velvety, deeply flavourful sauce built on the beautiful, simple foundation of Parmesan, cream, and plenty of fresh garlic and black pepper. It tastes like a Saturday night treat but is surprisingly swift to pull together on a Tuesday. It’s pure culinary comfort food—a true showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to master. For those seeking Quick Weeknight Dinners that impress, this Shrimp Alfredo Recipe is the gold standard.

Why This Recipe Triumphs Over Takeout Pasta

The beauty of this Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe lies in its simplicity. When ordering out, you often receive a sauce that is either too thick, tasting overwhelmingly of flour or cornstarch, or one that has broken entirely. Our approach focuses on pure technique to achieve natural emufication, ensuring a perfect coating every time. We’re making a true, from-scratch Alfredo Recipe that celebrates high-quality ingredients.

Setting the Stage: Defining True Creaminess in Pasta Sauces

True creaminess in Italian-American cooking, especially in an Alfredo Recipe , doesn't come from adding flour or cornstarch—it comes from an emuon. This means slowly merging fat (butter/cream) and water (the reserved starchy pasta liquid) using the fine proteins from freshly grated Parmesan cheese as the binding agent. When executed correctly, the result is a sauce that clings lovingly to every strand of pasta without feeling heavy or pasty.

A Flavor Profile Beyond Basic Butter and Cream

While butter and cream are the backbone, the depth of flavour in this Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe comes from two powerful additions: abundant, freshly minced garlic sautéed gently until fragrant, and a very generous hand with freshly ground black pepper. This aromatic combination cuts through the richness, creating a balanced, sophisticated flavour profile that elevates humble Shrimp Alfredo Ingredients .

The Essential Tools for Pasta Perfection

To ensure success in this Easy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe , having the right equipment is key. A large, wide skillet is paramount, as it gives you surface area to gently simmer the cream and toss the final dish without crushing the fettuccine. Equally essential is a microplane or fine box grater; we need the finest possible shreds of Parmesan for that smooth melt. Finally, never discard the water your pasta cooks in—that starchy liquid is liquid gold for binding our sauce.

Curating the Cornerstone Components for Signature Flavor

This recipe serves four generous portions and comes together in approximately 35 minutes total time, with only 15 minutes dedicated to prep. Success hinges on using fresh, high-quality components, especially when working with so few main ingredients in this Shrimp Alfredo Recipe .

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Procuring the Ideal Seafood and Dairy Selections

When crafting this Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe , the quality of your main components dictates the final taste. We opt for large, 21/25 count shrimp, ensuring they are peeled and deveined for immediate cooking. For the dairy, we rely on full-fat components: 6 tablespoons of high-quality unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream (35% fat). Do not substitute the cream with half-and-half; the lower fat content will compromise the sauce structure.

The Essential Shopping List: Quantities for Perfect Proportions

To achieve the perfect balance for 4 servings, gather your Shrimp Alfredo Ingredients : you'll need 1 lb (450g) of raw, peeled shrimp. For the sauce base, secure 6 tablespoons of butter, 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, and a critical 1 1/2 cups of freshly packed Parmesan cheese. We will use 12 oz (340g) of fettuccine pasta, the vessel that carries this luxurious meal.

Garlic: The Aromatic Foundation of This Classic Dish

Garlic provides the necessary pungent counterpoint to the richness. You will need 4 large cloves, finely minced. We sauté this garlic in the butter only until fragrant—about 60 seconds. Any hint of browning will introduce bitterness, so keep the heat low and watch carefully.

Seasoning the shrimp separately with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder provides a secondary, subtle layer of flavour that permeates the seafood itself.

Choosing Fettuccine vs. Linguine: Pasta Selection Matters

While you can certainly use linguine or even penne, traditionalists lean towards fettuccine . Its flat, wider surface area is perfectly engineered to hold onto a substantial, clinging sauce like this one. Ensure you cook it until it is perfectly al dente —that is, firm to the bite—as it will continue to cook slightly when tossed into the hot sauce.

Mastering the Cook: Sequential Steps to Flawless Shrimp Alfredo

The cooking process is linear and fast-paced once you start. The goal is to stagger the steps so that everything finishes simultaneously: perfectly cooked pasta, succulent shrimp, and a velvety sauce ready to coat them both.

The Art of Emufication: Creating the Silken Sauce Base

The sauce creation begins after the shrimp are cooked. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Melt your 6 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet—the residual flavour from the shrimp is a bonus! Add your minced garlic and let it perfume the butter for just one minute.

Next, introduce the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, allowing it to come to the barest simmer, just barely bubbling at the edges for a few minutes to thicken slightly.

Preparing the Shrimp: Searing for Maximum Succulence

Before the sauce begins, treat your shrimp well. Season your 1 lb of prepared shrimp with salt, pepper, and the garlic powder. In the skillet, use 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the shrimp quickly—about 1 to 2 minutes per side. They should turn pink and opaque, but importantly, remove them from the pan immediately once done. They will re-enter the dish later; leaving them in will result in tough, rubbery seafood.

Timing the Boil: Achieving Al Dente Pasta Texture

Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous, rolling boil, salting it heavily until it tastes noticeably seasoned. Cook the 12 oz of fettuccine for the time specified on the package, minus one minute. The key moment arrives right before draining: use a measuring cup to reserve at least 1/2 cup of the cloudy, starchy pasta water. This liquid is essential for achieving the perfect consistency in your Shrimp Alfredo Sauce Recipe .

The Crucial Combination: Integrating Pasta, Shrimp, and Sauce Seamlessly

This is where finesse matters for this Easy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe . Once the cream is slightly thickened, remove the skillet entirely from the heat source. Slowly whisk in the 1 1/2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a small amount at a time. If you add it all at once or if the heat is too high, the cheese proteins seize, resulting in clumpy sauce. If the sauce tightens too much during this process, whisk in the reserved starchy water, tablespoon by tablespoon, until the sauce achieves a glossy, flowing texture. Finally, return the drained pasta and the reserved shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything beautifully, add a heavy, fresh grinding of black pepper, and serve immediately.

Elevating Your Bowl: Next-Level Customizations for Your Pasta

While this Shrimp Alfredo is magnificent in its simplicity, customizing it allows you to tailor the dish to your mood or what you have on hand.

Flavor Twists: Introducing Herbs, Spices, and Brightening Agents

To introduce a layer of brightness often missing from heavy cream sauces, consider stirring in the zest of half a lemon right at the end, along with your garnish. For spice lovers, include 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes sautéed right alongside the garlic.

For herbaceous notes, stir in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley right before serving, reserving a pinch for presentation.

Accompaniments That Complete the Meal

Because this Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe is inherently rich, it benefits from something light and acidic on the side. A simple side salad dressed with a sharp vinaigrette featuring lemon juice or red wine vinegar provides the necessary contrast. Alternatively, serve alongside some crisp, lightly steamed asparagus or simple garlic bread for soaking up any residual sauce.

Preventing Sauce Separation: Pro Tips for Leftover Alfredo

If you anticipate leftovers, be aware that Alfredo sauce naturally thickens as it cools. When reheating, use a small splash of fresh milk or half-and-half, or better yet, a tablespoon of that reserved starchy pasta water, gently heating the mixture on the stovetop over very low heat until the sauce loosens back up.

Never microwave Alfredo sauce aggressively, as this almost always causes it to break or seize.

Nutritional Snapshot: Understanding the Indulgence

As a rich, decadent dish, this Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe is an indulgence, offering substantial calories (estimated between 750-850 kcal per serving) due to the butter and heavy cream content. However, it also provides excellent protein from the shrimp and Parmesan, offering a satisfying meal experience perfect for an occasional treat rather than an everyday staple.