Description
This creamy shrimp pasta combines tender shrimp with a rich, garlicky Alfredo-style sauce tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine. It’s an easy stovetop meal that balances a luscious cream sauce with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta and set the pasta aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the creamy sauce. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
- Return Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently mix them into the pasta and sauce mixture. Heat through for a minute.
- Serve: Serve the creamy shrimp pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best taste and creaminess.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to maintain their tenderness.
