Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Alfredo is an indulgent, flavorful pasta dish combining succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with a rich, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine, this meal is the ultimate comfort food that’s simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. With fresh Parmesan and optional parsley garnish, it’s a decadent seafood twist on a classic Italian favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp – peeled, deveined, tails off (medium or large)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Alfredo Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Pasta & Garnish
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the shrimp and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside to avoid overcooking.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Pour in the heavy cream and gently simmer for 3-4 minutes. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
- Add the Cheese: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the drained pasta to the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat well. Return the shrimp to the skillet, gently mixing everything together. Let it warm through for about a minute.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and shrimp, garnishing with chopped parsley if desired. Optionally, finish with freshly cracked black pepper for extra flair. Enjoy immediately for best results.
Notes
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; cook just until pink and opaque.
- Simmer cream gently to prevent the sauce from splitting or curdling.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother, creamier sauce rather than pre-shredded varieties.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen and bind the sauce.
- Best served fresh as Alfredo sauce does not reheat well in the microwave; if reheating, do so gently on the stove with a splash of milk or water.
- Substitute shrimp with mushrooms, chicken strips, or broccoli for variations.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make the dish gluten-free friendly.
- For dairy-free versions, use vegan butter, plant-based cream alternatives, and nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan.
Keywords: Shrimp Alfredo, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Creamy Pasta, Italian Dinner, Fettuccine Alfredo, Easy Shrimp Recipe
