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Easy Shrimp Alfredo

Published: / Updated: / 525 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.
4.93 from 163 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian American
Servings 4
Calories 724 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
  • 1 pound uncooked (31-40/pound size) shrimp 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.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
     

Nutrition

Calories: 724kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 41gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 346mgSodium: 785mgPotassium: 574mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1463IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 375mgIron: 2mg
Keyword shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe
Author Natasha Bull
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  1. Jasmine says

    5 stars
    Super yummy! Really enjoyed this recipe and so did the family, very easy to follow instructions one of the best Alfredo recipes I've tried

    Reply

  2. Maureen Vincent says

    5 stars
    I've made this so many times it's absolutely the BEST alfredo ever! Follow it exactly I just add a day off nutmeg! A crowd pleaser tried and true every time! 🤩🤤

    Reply

  4. Stephanie says

    5 stars
    Made this several times... perfectly delicious! I tried it with chicken this last time and it was superb. Lots of compliments. Easily my favorite Alfredo sauce. Doubles Easily.

    Reply

  6. Lyndi Barfield says

    5 stars
    BEST RECIPE I HAVE EVER MADE!
    Occasionally I will use recipes online to make different dishes or to get ideas on how to make something. I love a good fettuccine alfredo, but I have never tried to make it. We live on the Gulf Coast in MS, and we had enjoyed some delicious boiled shrimp, potatoes, and corn on Easter this year. We had a good bit of leftovers and I didn’t want it to go to waste. I peeled all of the shrimp and searched online for a delicious shrimp alfredo recipe. I found this recipe and decided I would try it out. I can’t get over how wonderful this recipe turned out. The only thing I did differently was the heavy cream, I had to make some using milk and butter, but it worked great. The cream cheese and fresh grated Parmesan cheese made the sauce, the texture and flavor are superb! My family enjoyed this dish as much as I did! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks so much!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! It says the number of servings in the recipe card. In this case there's 4. You can definitely double the recipe. Just hover over the number of servings in the recipe card and a slider will pop up. Then you can pick how many servings you want, and it automatically adjusts the ingredient quantities. 🙂

      Reply

  9. Karon says

    5 stars
    This was delicious!! Simple, quick, hubby liked it 😃, smooth and creamy ( no lumps 😉), will definitely cook this again. Thanks for sharing 😊.

    Reply

  10. Bart Carroll says

    5 stars
    I Did a little native Cajun ad lib, split 1/2 pepper Jack cheese, and freshly boiled crawfish tails, awesome

    Reply

  11. Sharon says

    5 stars
    Great recipe, quick and easy to make from ingredients that I had on hand. Taste fantastic, and even picky kid liked it! Will definitely make this again

    Reply

  13. Izabel says

    1 star
    Horrible recipe tried to make the sauce several times and came out clumpy and gross and separated from the butter.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Well, it's actually a very highly rated recipe where users have had lots of success (see other reviews and comments). Sorry it didn't work out for you, but there is no need to be rude when it's clearly user error.

      Reply

  14. Glenda Brown says

    I prepared exactly how you instructed. This is the best and so easy. I’m so proud of myself. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  20. Keith Hurt says

    5 stars
    Winner winner shrimp Alfredo for dinner! My teenager even said “this slaps” whatever that means!? 🤷🏻‍♂️😂 10 out of 10 would recommend! 👍🏼

    Reply

  21. Linda says

    5 stars
    This recipe was a hit! It was so good, I couldn’t believe I made it. My husband and I were fighting for the leftovers. 😊

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Uncooked shrimp. Shrimp cook fast... I rarely use cooked shrimp since double cooking overcooks them quite easily if you're not careful.

      Reply

  24. Annie says

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply

  25. LeeAnn says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  27. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  31. Mandi says

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply

    • 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. 🙂

      Reply

  33. 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!

    Reply

  36. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  37. 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?

    Reply

    • 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! 🙂

      Reply

  39. 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.

    Reply

  40. Katherine Royster says

    5 stars
    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

    Reply

  42. Anthony E Holtgreven says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply