Craving a warm, comforting bowl of pasta with succulent shrimp? This Creamy Shrimp Alfredo delivers rich, garlicky flavor with a smooth, cheesy sauce that clings beautifully to fettuccine or your favorite pasta substitute. With butter, heavy cream, Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, and shrimp, it’s a straightforward, satisfying dinner that comes together quickly and feels special.
Easy Creamy Shrimp Alfredo
Homemade Alfredo is one of the simplest luxury-style sauces to make at home. This version uses just a handful of ingredients and can be ready in about 30 minutes total. The sauce is rich and velvety without relying on complicated techniques—perfect for weeknights or an easy weekend dinner.
This recipe is kid-friendly and picky-eater approved: tender shrimp, creamy cheese sauce, and plenty of garlic. It’s also low fuss in the kitchen—just one pan for the shrimp and sauce, plus a pot for the pasta.
Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, make sure you have the essentials on hand. Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.
- Butter (salted)
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Fresh garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmigiano Reggiano (freshly grated)
- Salt
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
How To Make This Recipe
Below is a clear overview of the steps. When cooking, follow the full recipe at the end for exact measurements and times.
- Melt the butter and cook the shrimp. Sauté shrimp in butter until they turn pink, adding garlic toward the end so it becomes fragrant but not bitter. Remove the shrimp and reserve the buttery pan.
- Create the Alfredo sauce. Pour heavy cream into the pan and simmer over medium-low heat. Gradually stir in grated Parmigiano Reggiano until the sauce becomes smooth and reaches your desired thickness.
- Finish with the shrimp. Return the cooked shrimp to the sauce and warm gently for a few minutes on low heat so they stay tender.
- Serve. Toss the shrimp and sauce with hot cooked fettuccine, linguine, or a pasta substitute. Finish with extra grated Parmigiano and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Recipe FAQ
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Store pasta and sauce separately when possible; this helps maintain texture. If reheating the whole dish, warm slowly and add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
Can I substitute heavy cream?
Heavy cream gives this sauce its silky texture and stability. Substitutes like half-and-half or milk tend to separate or “break” more easily when simmered. If you must substitute, add a small amount of cornstarch or reduce the heat and stir frequently, but results will differ from the original.
Have you heard of a Spaghetti Fork?
There’s a small utensil that makes twirling long pasta effortless—the spaghetti fork. If you love neatly twirled portions, it’s a handy, slightly indulgent tool to try. It keeps the pasta from sliding and makes serving a breeze.
More Pasta Recipes
More Pasta Recipes
- Traeger Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage
- Mock Lasagna
- Spicy Shrimp Marinara
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Smoked Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Bison Bolognese
- Traeger Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Smoked Meatball Rigatoni
Yield: 6 people
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo
Simple, homemade creamy shrimp Alfredo—rich, garlicky, and cheesy.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 2–3 cups Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the shrimp and sliced garlic and cook 2–3 minutes until the shrimp are just pink. Remove shrimp and set aside, reserving the butter and any flavorful drippings in the pan.
- Pour the heavy cream into the reserved butter. Maintain medium-low heat and stir frequently until the cream is lightly simmering.
- Slowly add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano while stirring to create a smooth sauce. Reduce heat slightly and simmer until the sauce reaches your preferred thickness.
- Return the shrimp to the sauce for 3–4 minutes to warm through. Serve over cooked fettuccine or linguine and finish with extra grated cheese and chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 885 • Total Fat: 69g • Saturated Fat: 41g • Trans Fat: 2g • Unsaturated Fat: 21g • Cholesterol: 366mg • Sodium: 2732mg • Carbohydrates: 18g • Fiber: 0g • Sugar: 2g • Protein: 48g
Nutrition data is an estimate. For medical or dietary tracking, consult a trusted nutrition source.