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Silky Restaurant-Style Shrimp Alfredo in 30 Minutes

Close-up of a bowl of creamy shrimp alfredo pasta, topped with seasoned, seared shrimp.
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Make this unbelievably creamy shrimp alfredo pasta at home. This recipe focuses on a technique for a rich parmesan cream sauce that stays silky, pairing perfectly with garlic butter shrimp. Achieve gourmet flavor fast for your weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Add the shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Whisk in the heavy cream until it is smooth. Let it warm through for about 2 minutes; do not let it boil.
  5. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thick. If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach a luxurious, flowing consistency.
  6. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained fettuccine to the sauce and toss gently until every strand is coated in the rich parmesan cream sauce.
  7. Serve immediately. Top each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For the silkiest texture, grate your Parmesan cheese fresh from a block; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • If you want a Cajun shrimp alfredo variation, toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning before sautéing them in step 2.
  • This recipe is designed to be a fast pasta recipe, so have all your ingredients measured before you start cooking the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/silky-shrimp-alfredo-restaurant-style-pasta/