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.
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!
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):
- Add the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Cook it for 5 minutes;
- Stir in the parmesan cheese and let it bubble for about a minute;
- Add the shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes;
- 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.
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:
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Shrimp and Bacon Pasta
- Easy Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta
Will you make this garlic shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe? Questions? Let me know in the comments below!
Easy Shrimp Alfredo
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.
Kimberly says
Does this recipe use raw shrimp or ready to eat shrimp? Does it matter which one you use?
Natasha says
Uncooked shrimp. Shrimp cook fast... I rarely use cooked shrimp since double cooking overcooks them quite easily if you're not careful.
Annie says
This recipe is amazing! My husband and I have made this meal twice in a week because we love it so much. The recipe is straightforward, simple, and probably the best shrimp alfredo I’ve ever had. We are trying to become better cooks in the kitchen, and I think I will continue to look to this website for more recipes!
Natasha says
Thank you so much!! 🙂
LeeAnn says
I've tried several Shrimp Alfredo, and this recipe is by far the easiest, and tastiest I've tried to date.
I use bay shrimp in my recipes, just a personal preference. It's an awesome recipe thank you for sharing.
Natasha says
Wonderful!! 🙂
Florence Jr. Robert says
Can you use the Alfredo sauce in the jar
Natasha says
This is a from-scratch Alfredo sauce recipe. If you want to use jarred sauce, you don't need this recipe.
Kait says
Delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and was sooo satisfied with results. Cooking normally intimates me but this was super easy and I loved it! Thank you for posting!
Kait says
Intimidates *
Natasha says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Kait!! 🙂
Debby says
Can I make the sauce a day ahead then add shrimp next day and pasta
Natasha says
I don't really recommend that, but I suppose you could try. Creamy sauces are notorious for not reheating so well (then can dry out and separate). If you want to try, be sure to warm it slowly over low heat and stir often. You may need to add a little more cream.
Trina Jarema says
My family loved this recipe! It’s a favorite.
Natasha says
Excellent!! So happy to hear that, Trina! 🙂
Susanne says
This is delicious! I made it exactly as written.
Natasha says
Thank you so much!
Mandi says
Made this tonight as written, cream cheese takes it to a whole new level. Delicious! Wouldn’t change a thing! Wow! Thank you for sharing!
Natasha says
You're very welcome, Mandi! 😀
Selena Valdez says
What should b served on the side with meal? I was thinking garlic bread.
Natasha says
Yes, garlic bread would be delicious. A side salad too.. either something light with a vinaigrette or do something like a Caesar salad to go all out. 🙂
Jessica says
I’ve made this twice now because shrimp Alfredo is my boyfriend’s sons favorite dish. It has been a huge hit both times!
Natasha says
That's great to hear, Jessica! 🙂
Jen says
I just made this for Christmas day lunch. Everyone loved it, especially my hubby.
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear it, Jen! Merry Christmas!
Beverly says
I just made this and it’s delicious! Thank you!❤️
Natasha says
You're very welcome!! 🙂 XO
Catherine Freed says
Is there anyway to reheat this dish or keep it warm (in a warming drawer?) I’d like to serve as a side dish with the second course.
Thank you
Catherine
Natasha says
Hi! You could if it's just for a little bit of time, but honestly cream sauces aren't the best for reheating and can separate quite easily. A warming drawer for a little bit should be fine, though.
Morgan Kingsbury says
Mrs. Natasha,
Hi I’m trying this for dinner tonight on the garlic do you have to use fresh cloves or may I substitute with pre minced garlic?
Natasha says
Hi! I always recommend using fresh garlic if possible, but the pre-minced garlic will work if that's all you've got. Hope you enjoy the recipe, Morgan! 🙂
Lori says
Best Shrimp Alfredo EVER!!!! Recipe is super easy and so very delicious
Natasha says
Thank you so much, Lori!! 😀 I really appreciate you taking the time to write me a review.
DeAuna says
This is my honey's favorite he loves it and it's really easy to make I do add extra cream the first time I made it was too thick I just added a little extra cream and chicken broth it was awesome, you have to try this recipe. Bon appetit.
Natasha says
I'm so glad it's a hit!! 🙂
Rosie says
If I don't have chicken broth can I just use 1 full cup of heavy cream instead of 3/4? I've never come across a recipe that uses broth, does it have a huge effect on the flavor?
Natasha says
Sure, you could try! Not a huge effect on flavor, it's more to thin the sauce a bit.
Katherine Royster says
We really liked this. I think I got anxious it wasn’t thinking enough so I might had added too much cheese but it was a great receipe and I will def give it another shot knowing g I need to be more patient! Thank you for the great resource
Natasha says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! You're welcome! 🙂
Morgan says
do i cook the shrimp before adding it?
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
No
Anthony E Holtgreven says
Ive done another version many times. I did yours but i couldnt help myself. I added 1 can of cream of mushroom, fresh portabellas, onion, green peppers so i guess i did it again, made it my own, sorry bout that. Let some of the neighbors taste it, then they wanted some to take home. I had doubled the reciepe and i had almost none left. LOL next time i keep my mouth shut. GREAT dish. Thank you.
Deb says
If you add all the extras, it's no longer Shrimp Alfredo. Not saying your version isn't good but if you add all the extras, it's no longer Shrimp Alfredo.
Rosie says
Sounds like a yummy recipe! Definitely not shrimp Alfredo though! Also I'd have to saute the mushrooms in butter & garlic salt 1st, omit the 🫑 (they have no place in anything resembling shrimp Alfredo). & I probably wouldn't add the soup because there's already a lazy man's Alfredo that uses cream of mushroom on Campbell's website!
Elaine says
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Natasha says
Sure!