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Easy Shrimp Alfredo

Published: / Updated: / 337 Comments

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This easy shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe is the perfect fast weeknight dinner that's tasty enough for company! Tender shrimp and fettuccine pasta are smothered in an amazing creamy garlic sauce.

creamy shrimp alfredo pasta in a skillet

It took me a few tries before I was confident in sharing this shrimp fettuccine Alfredo recipe. They were all minor tweaks to get that sauce just right. I am definitely happy with the finished product, and I hope you will be too! In this recipe, cooking shrimp for Alfredo is easy... they just cook right in the sauce. 

Alfredo sauce (butter, cream, and parmesan), shouldn't be complicated to make, but I find that achieving the right sauce thickness is what really matters. You don't want it too thick... or too thin. 

I also added my not-so-secret ingredient to this shrimp Alfredo recipe to make the sauce silkier, thicker, and just a hint of tangy (which complements the shrimp). Can you guess what it is?

It's cream cheese!

shrimp fettuccine alfredo in a white bowl (close-up)

I'm sure some people would argue that cream cheese doesn't belong in Alfredo sauce, but I disagree. I'm all for variations on recipes if it makes sense and tastes good. I've seen plenty of recipes that use it and plenty that don't. I find that using cream cheese in here allowed me to skip using a thickening agent like flour, which in my opinion makes the recipe a bit easier overall.

Want this recipe but with chicken? Check out my Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.

Shrimp Alfredo ingredients:

  • Fettuccine pasta 
  • Shrimp (I used frozen raw 31-40 count per pound size shrimp. You could use smaller or larger. If using smaller ones, take care not to overcook them)
  • Butter (unsalted)
  • Cream cheese (for added texture and tangy taste)
  • Heavy cream 
  • Chicken broth (for added flavor)
  • Garlic 
  • Parmesan cheese

How to make shrimp Alfredo (overview):

  1. Add the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Cook it for 5 minutes;
  2. Stir in the parmesan cheese and let it bubble for about a minute;
  3. Add the shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes;
  4. Season to taste and toss with the pasta.

Easy peasy! Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below. 

Love Alfredo sauce? Try this Chicken Tortellini Alfredo, my Lemon Parmesan Chicken Alfredo Recipe, or this 15 Minute Creamy Alfredo Gnocchi.

Close-up of the best shrimp alfredo recipe!

Shrimp preparation tips:

  • If the shrimp are frozen, place them in a colander and thaw them under cool running water.
  • Peel them (if they're not already peeled). You can either take the tails off or leave them on depending on your preference.

Shrimp Alfredo recipe success tips:

  • I suggest grating your own parmesan cheese. It makes a difference in the taste and some of the pre-grated stuff doesn't melt into the sauce as well. I love this cheese grater.
  • You can add more/less garlic depending on your preferences. I like quite a bit of garlic!
  • I don't recommend subbing the cream/butter/etc. for something else unless you're ok with experimenting a bit. I can't say how it will turn out without testing it. Half-and-half or milk will make the sauce more watery. This is definitely a treat meal. 🙂

More shrimp pasta recipes you'll love:

shrimp alfredo pasta in two bowls

Will you make this garlic shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe? Questions? Let me know in the comments below! 

Close-up of the best shrimp alfredo recipe!

Easy Shrimp Alfredo

This easy shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe is the perfect fast weeknight dinner that's tasty enough for company! Tender shrimp and fettuccine pasta are smothered in an amazing creamy garlic sauce.
4.97 from 96 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian American
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
  • 1 pound shrimp (I used 31-40 count size) thawed & peeled, tails optional
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (I used 1/2 block Philly) softened & cut into smaller pieces
  • 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Take the cream cheese out of the fridge so it has a chance to soften up. Prep your shrimp.
  • Start boiling a salted pot of water for the fettuccine. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, add the butter, cream cheese, cream, chicken broth, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the pan has heated up, you can use your spoon to help the cream cheese melt into the sauce. This will take a couple of minutes.
  • When the cream cheese has been incorporated into the sauce, let it gently bubble for 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced somewhat. You can give it the occasional stir. I grate the parmesan cheese while it's cooking.
  • Stir the parmesan into the sauce. Let it cook for about a minute.
  • Add the shrimp to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season the shrimp Alfredo with salt & pepper as needed. Toss with the drained pasta and serve immediately.

Notes

  • If at any point the sauce gets too thick for your tastes, thin it out with a bit of the hot pasta water.
  • You can microwave the cream cheese for 20-30 seconds if you forget to take it out of the fridge in time for it to soften up.
Keyword shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe
Author Natasha Bull
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  1. Janie Burnett says

    Gosh I made this for supper tonight and it was sooo good, I did add mushrooms and green onions I will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  2. Iman says

    Hey I was wondering if this can work without the cream cheese...I have all the ingredients except that...also I have cooked frozen shrimp will that work too? Thanks 😀

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! So, the cream cheese is the "magical" ingredient in this recipe and helps make more sauce (there's quite a lot of it) as well as add a slight tangy flavor and thicken the sauce. You're welcome to experiment without it, but the recipe won't be the same, and you will likely have to cook the sauce for longer and/or find other ways to thicken it up (like make a roux). I'd also use more cream to compensate for the lack of cream cheese unless you're making it for fewer people. Re: cooked shrimp, I'd thaw them and then add them right at the end (just to warm thru) since they can overcook very easily.

      Reply

  3. Maria says

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe and it turned out perfect! The cream cheese adds a nice creamy texture. I also added mushrooms for extra flavor!

    Reply

  5. Gabby says

    This is one of my favorite Alfredo recipes, cream cheese and all. I will sometimes throw some broccoli into a food processor until very fine and mix that into the sauce for my picky littles. They don’t even know it’s there and It’s great either way!

    Reply