Let’s get ready for a dinner that’s both impressive and incredibly simple to make! This Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is the kind of easy recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for those nights when you crave something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic quick and easy weeknight dinner that feels special enough for a weekend date night, too.
Table of Contents
- Why This Is The Ultimate Easy Dinner
- The Secret To Perfect Easy Shrimp Alfredo
- Your Quick Path To Dinner
- Make It Uniquely Yours
- The Perfect Pairings
- A Recipe You’ll Make Again And Again
- The Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
- Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
- Fast & Foolproof: This shrimp alfredo recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, using simple techniques anyone can master.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh shrimp, you can create a restaurant-quality creamy pasta dish at home.
- Endlessly Customizable: Easily adapt this dinner recipe by adding vegetables, swapping proteins, or adjusting the sauce to suit your family’s taste.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It works equally well as a quick weeknight meal, an impressive dish for guests, or a comforting family favorite.
Why This Is The Ultimate Easy Dinner
Some days, you just need dinner on the table without any fuss. That’s exactly what this easy pasta recipe delivers. For many home cooks, finding a dish that’s both quick to prepare and deeply satisfying can feel like a challenge. But this creamy shrimp alfredo solves that problem beautifully. It transforms basic ingredients into something elegant and comforting, proving that you don’t need complex techniques for a memorable meal.
The Secret To Perfect Easy Shrimp Alfredo
The heart of any great alfredo lies in its sauce. Our version keeps things wonderfully simple, but with a few smart tricks to ensure it’s silky smooth every time. The key is using freshly grated Parmesan—it melts beautifully and creates that classic, rich flavor without any grittiness. Plus, the addition of a splash of the starchy pasta water at the end helps the sauce cling perfectly to every strand of fettuccine.
Your Quick Path To Dinner
One of the best parts of this recipe is its efficient workflow. You start the pasta boiling, and while it cooks, you quickly sauté the shrimp. Using the same skillet, you then build the luscious, creamy alfredo sauce. By the time the pasta is al dente, everything else is nearly ready to combine. This streamlined, 30-minute dinner strategy means less time cooking and more time enjoying your meal.
Make It Uniquely Yours
While this easy recipe is perfect as written, it’s also a fantastic canvas for your own creativity. Love vegetables? Stir in some steamed broccoli florets or sautéed spinach at the end. Want a touch of luxury? Use jumbo shrimp or even scallops. Craving a bit of heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce adds a lovely warmth. It’s this flexibility that makes a simple dish like shrimp alfredo pasta a true weeknight hero in my kitchen.
The Perfect Pairings
To round out your meal, I love serving this rich pasta with something light and fresh. A crisp green salad with a lemony vinaigrette cuts through the creaminess perfectly. For a vegetable side, garlic bread or some simple roasted asparagus are always winners. And for a truly comforting dinner experience, a glass of chilled white wine makes everything taste even better.
A Recipe You’ll Make Again And Again
At Betty Cooks, I believe the best recipes are the ones that earn a permanent spot in your routine. This creamy shrimp alfredo pasta is one of those gems. It’s straightforward enough for a hectic Tuesday, yet special enough to serve when company comes over. It’s the kind of easy, delicious, and reliable dinner that turns a regular evening into something a little more memorable.
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine (or pasta of choice)
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Alfredo Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Cook the Shrimp
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Alfredo Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring gently. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
Combine
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the alfredo sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Gently fold in the cooked shrimp and heat through for another minute.
Serve
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
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