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Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Shrimp Pasta

A rich, velvety, and incredibly delicious creamy shrimp pasta that's ready in just 30 minutes! Tender shrimp and fettuccine are coated in a luscious homemade alfredo style sauce. It's a restaurant quality meal made easy at home.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 652 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Large non stick skillet
  • Colander
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ pound fettuccine pasta or other long pasta
  • 1 pound large raw shrimp peeled and deveined (21-25 count)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain (do not rinse) and set aside.
  • Season Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ¼ teaspoon paprika.
  • Cook Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side, just until pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
  • Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until softened and golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  • Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer and reduce until only about 25% of the liquid remains.
  • Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a light boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese over the sauce and stir until completely smooth and creamy.
  • Season Sauce: Return the pan to low heat to keep warm. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and paprika if desired.
  • Combine and Serve: Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently until everything is well coated. Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnished with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a crack of fresh black pepper.

Notes

  • Golden Rule: Never let the sauce boil after adding the cheese, or it will separate and become grainy. Always stir the cheese in off the heat.
  • Wine Substitute: To replace the white wine, use ⅓ cup of chicken broth and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about ½ a lemon) to the finished sauce to taste.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to restore the sauce's creaminess. Do not reheat over high heat.
  • Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this cream based dish.
Keyword creamy shrimp pasta, easy pasta dinner, shrimp alfredo, shrimp pasta recipe