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Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe Easy Garlic Parmesan Dinner

creamy shrimp alfredo pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy shrimp Alfredo pasta with garlic and Parmesan, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties. This rich, garlicky sauce clings to tender shrimp and al dente pasta for an indulgent yet balanced meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450 grams) of peeled and deveined shrimp. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Slowly pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream while stirring. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. If too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
  5. Gradually sprinkle in 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan while stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the cheese melts fully and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Add a splash more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, if using.
  8. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side for sprinkling.

Notes

Keep heat moderate to prevent cream from curdling. Stir cheese slowly to ensure smooth sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Freshly grate Parmesan for best melting and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp alfredo, creamy shrimp pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, fettuccine alfredo