How to Make Shrimp Alfredo: Recipes, Tips, and Variations

Learn how to make shrimp alfredo from scratch, or try quick and easy and healthier recipes, as well as various variations of the dish. Use our tips and ideas to create a delicious and iconic Italian meal with cultural significance and history.

Introduction

Shrimp alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish that combines creamy Alfredo sauce with juicy and tender shrimp and al dente pasta. It’s a luxurious and satisfying meal that can be served on various occasions, from date night to family dinners, or even festive gatherings. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or want to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, shrimp alfredo can be a versatile and delicious dish that showcases your cooking skills and creativity. In this article, we’ll cover several recipes for shrimp alfredo, as well as some tips, tricks, and variations to help you make the best version of this dish.

Making Shrimp Alfredo from Scratch

To make shrimp alfredo from scratch, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1 lb. of shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. of fettuccine or linguine pasta
4 tbsp. of unsalted butter
1 cup of heavy cream
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to prepare the dish:

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, until it’s al dente, and drain it.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
Add the remaining butter to the skillet and melt it. Add the minced garlic and cook it for one minute, until fragrant.
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir it with a whisk until it thickens, for about 5 minutes.
Lower the heat and add the grated cheese to the sauce, stirring it until it’s melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir it to combine. Add the cooked shrimp to the pasta and sauce and stir gently to coat all the ingredients.
Garnish the dish with some more grated cheese and chopped parsley or basil, if you like.

Some tips and tricks to make your shrimp alfredo more delicious and easy to cook are:

Don’t overcook the pasta or the shrimp, as they can become too mushy or tough. Follow the cooking time and use a timer to avoid mistakes.
Use fresh and high-quality ingredients, especially the cheese and the cream, to get a rich and smooth sauce.
Let the sauce simmer over low heat, stirring it constantly, to avoid curdling or burning.
You can add some white wine or lemon juice to the sauce, together with the garlic, to give it a tangy and flavorful kick.

Quick and Easy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe

If you’re short on time or don’t want to spend too much effort on making shrimp alfredo, this recipe is for you. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and uses some convenient shortcuts to simplify the process. Here are the ingredients:

1 lb. of cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. of fettuccine or linguine pasta
1 jar of Alfredo sauce (15-16 oz.)
1/2 cup of milk or half-and-half
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to prepare the dish:

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, until it’s al dente, and drain it.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook it for one minute, until fragrant.
Add the cooked shrimp to the skillet and heat them for 2-3 minutes, until they’re warm and coated with the garlic oil.
Pour the Alfredo sauce into the skillet and stir it with a whisk to combine with the shrimp. Add the milk or half-and-half to the sauce and stir it again.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir it to combine. Turn off the heat and let it sit for a minute or two to thicken the sauce.
Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, and serve it hot.

Some tips and tricks to make your quick and easy shrimp alfredo more flavorful and effortless are:

Use pre-cooked shrimp that are already cleaned and deveined, so you don’t have to spend time on these steps.
Choose a good-quality Alfredo sauce that contains real cream, butter, and cheese, and avoid those that are too watery or salty.
Add some chopped herbs, such as parsley, basil, or thyme, to the dish before serving, to give it a fresh and aromatic touch.
You can also add some diced sun-dried tomatoes, canned artichoke hearts, or cooked mushrooms to the dish, to add some texture and flavor, without too much extra effort.

Healthier Shrimp Alfredo Recipe

If you’re watching your calorie intake or your fat intake, you can still enjoy shrimp alfredo by using some healthier ingredients and cooking methods. Here’s how:

1 lb. of raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. of whole wheat fettuccine or linguine pasta
2 tbsp. of olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup of low-fat milk or almond milk
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. of all-purpose flour or cornstarch
1 tbsp. of chopped parsley or basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to prepare the dish:

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, until it’s al dente, and drain it.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook it for one minute, until fragrant.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque.
Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Add the flour or cornstarch to the skillet and whisk it with a fork until it’s combined with the garlic oil.
Pour the milk or almond milk into the skillet and stir it with a whisk until it thickens, for about 5 minutes.
Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir it until it’s melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir it to combine. Add the cooked shrimp to the pasta and sauce and stir gently to coat all the ingredients.
Garnish the dish with some chopped parsley or basil.

Some tips and tricks to make your healthier shrimp alfredo more satisfying and nutritious are:

Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta, to add more fiber and complex carbs to your dish.
Use low-fat milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream, to reduce the calorie and fat content of the sauce, while still keeping it creamy and smooth.
Use lean and fresh shrimp, instead of frozen or processed shrimp, to avoid added salt and preservatives.
Add some steamed or sautéed vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus, or bell peppers, to the dish, to add more nutrients, color, and crunch.

Shrimp Alfredo Variations

Shrimp alfredo can be a versatile and customizable dish that can accommodate various tastes and preferences. Here are some variations of the basic recipe:

Shrimp Alfredo with Veggies

If you want to add more vegetables to your shrimp alfredo, try this recipe:

1 lb. of shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. of penne or farfalle pasta
1 small zucchini, diced
1 small yellow squash, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup of heavy cream or cashew cream
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese or vegan cheese
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 tbsp. of chopped basil or oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to prepare the dish:

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, until it’s al dente, and drain it.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook it for one minute, until fragrant.
Add the diced vegetables to the skillet and cook them for 5-7 minutes, until they’re tender and slightly caramelized.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Move the vegetables to the sides of the skillet, leaving the center empty. Add the shrimp to the center of the skillet and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque.
Remove the shrimp and vegetables from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Add the cream or cashew cream to the skillet and stir it with a whisk until it thickens, for about 5 minutes.
Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir it until it’s melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, and vegetables to the sauce and stir gently to coat all the ingredients.
Garnish the dish with some chopped herbs and more grated cheese.

You can also add other vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or carrots, or use other herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or sage, for different flavors and textures.

Shrimp Alfredo with Linguine

If you prefer the thinner and lighter version of shrimp alfredo, try this recipe:

1 lb. of shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. of linguine pasta
1/2 cup of white wine
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
4 tbsp. of unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. of lemon zest
1 tbsp. of chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to prepare the dish:

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, until it’s al dente, and drain it.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook it for one minute, until fragrant.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque.
Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Add the white wine and chicken broth to the skillet and stir it to deglaze the skillet and reduce the liquid by half.
Add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir it with a whisk until it thickens, for about 5 minutes.
Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir it until it’s melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir it to combine. Add the cooked shrimp to the pasta and sauce and stir gently to coat all the ingredients.
Garnish the dish with some lemon zest, chopped parsley, and more grated cheese.

You can also add some capers or olives to the dish, for a more Mediterranean flavor, or some roasted garlic and mushrooms, for a more earthy taste.