Shrimp Alfredo Pasta (Creamy & Easy) Recipe
This Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is a creamy, garlicky delight that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender, seasoned shrimp tossed with spaghetti in a rich Alfredo sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese creates a decadent meal ready in about 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt, to taste
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch nutmeg
- Optional: parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti pasta in well-salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
- Season and Cook Shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, add minced garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add Cheese and Thicken Sauce: Lower heat to low. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it by stirring in some reserved pasta water. Optionally, stir in mozzarella cheese to enhance creaminess.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything gently until the pasta and shrimp are fully coated and glossy with the sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Season the dish to taste with salt and black pepper. Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg if desired to enhance the flavor. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; they should be pink and just cooked through.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a less rich sauce.
- Adding mozzarella is optional but adds extra creaminess.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is recommended for best flavor and melting qualities.
- Garnish with parsley for color and fresh taste.