Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta

  • 400–500g fettuccine (or linguine/tagliatelle)
  • Salt for boiling water

Shrimp

  • 500g large shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Paprika or chili flakes (optional)
  • Lemon juice splash

Alfredo Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh parsley

Optional extras:

  • Mushrooms
  • Spinach
  • Red bell pepper
  • Extra cheese

## Choosing the Best Shrimp

This matters more than people think.

Go for:

✔ Large or jumbo shrimp

✔ Raw (not pre-cooked)

✔ Peeled and deveined

Fresh or frozen both work.

If frozen → thaw fully + pat dry.

Dry shrimp sear better.

Wet shrimp = watery sauce.

## Cooking the Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water.

Salt it well.

Like the ocean.

Seriously.

This is your only chance to season the pasta itself.

Cook until:

Al dente (firm but tender)

Don’t overcook — it will cook again in sauce.

Before draining:

Save ½ cup pasta water.

Liquid gold for sauce later.

## Seasoning the Shrimp

In a bowl, mix shrimp with:

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Garlic
  • Little oil

Simple but powerful.

Let sit 10 minutes while pasta cooks.

This gives deeper flavor.

## Searing the Shrimp (Very Important Step)

Heat butter + olive oil in a large skillet.

Medium-high heat.

Add shrimp in one layer.

Don’t crowd the pan.

Cook:

1–2 minutes per side only.

That’s it.

Shrimp cook FAST.

When they turn pink + slightly golden → remove immediately.

Overcooked shrimp = rubbery sadness.

Set aside.

## Building the Alfredo Sauce

Same pan. Don’t wash it.

All that shrimp flavor stays.

Add:

Butter → melt

Flour → whisk

Cook 1–2 minutes.

This removes raw flour taste.

Now slowly add:

Cream + milk

Whisk constantly.

Sauce will thicken gently.

Keep heat medium-low.

Don’t boil.

## Adding the Cheese Magic

Once sauce thickens:

Add Parmesan slowly.

Stir continuously.

Watch it transform.

It becomes:

Smooth

Creamy

Velvety

Luxurious

Season with:

  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Taste and adjust.

This is YOUR sauce.

Make it perfect for you.

## Combining Everything

Now the fun part.

Add:

Cooked pasta

Shrimp

Little pasta water if needed

Toss gently.

The sauce will coat every noodle.

Shrimp nestle perfectly into pasta.

Creamy, glossy, beautiful.

Let cook together 2–3 minutes.

So flavors marry.

## Texture Check

You want:

✔ Sauce thick but flowing

✔ Pasta coated not drowning

✔ Shrimp juicy

✔ Not dry, not watery

Too thick? Add pasta water

Too thin? Cook 1–2 minutes more

Easy fix either way.

## Garnish and Serve

Turn off heat.

Finish with:

  • Fresh parsley
  • Extra Parmesan
  • Black pepper
  • Lemon squeeze

Serve HOT.

This dish is best fresh and creamy.

Cold Alfredo loses magic.

## Flavor Variations You Can Try

Once you master the base, go wild.

Spicy Cajun

Add Cajun seasoning + chili flakes

Lemon Garlic

Extra lemon zest + juice

Mushroom Alfredo

Add sautéed mushrooms

Spinach Shrimp

Add fresh spinach at end

Cheesy Upgrade

Add mozzarella or cream cheese

Lighter Version

Use half-and-half instead of cream

So many ways to customize.

## Pro Chef Tips

Little tricks that make BIG difference:

Tip 1

Grate cheese fresh

Pre-shredded doesn’t melt smooth

Tip 2

Cook shrimp separately

Keeps them juicy

Tip 3

Use pasta water

Makes sauce silky

Tip 4

Low heat for cheese

High heat breaks sauce

Tip 5

Don’t overcook

Shrimp + cream sauces hate overcooking

Follow these and you’ll get restaurant quality.

## Storage Tips

If leftovers happen (rare 😂):

Fridge:

2–3 days airtight

Reheat:

Low heat + splash milk

Don’t microwave too long or sauce splits.

Freezing not recommended (cream separates).

## When to Serve This Dish

Perfect for:

  • Dinner parties
  • Romantic nights
  • Weekend comfort food
  • Family meals
  • Holiday dinners
  • Pasta cravings

It feels fancy but stress-free.

Total crowd pleaser.

Kids love it. Adults love it. Everyone asks for seconds.

## Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Alfredo is one of those recipes you’ll keep forever.

Simple ingredients.

Huge flavor.

Ready fast.

It’s rich without being heavy, creamy without being greasy, and the shrimp make it feel special.

Honestly… once you cook it once, it becomes your “go-to impressive dinner”.

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