Description
Silky, garlicky cream cloaks tender shrimp and perfectly al dente pasta for a weeknight-worthy indulgence. Butter, Parmesan, and a hint of Italian seasoning build rich flavor fast, while fresh parsley brightens every twirl. Simple technique, luxe results ready in 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, lemon zest to finish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant (do not brown).
- Add shrimp; season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream; bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Add pasta and shrimp back to the skillet; toss to coat. Splash in reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Off heat, finish with parsley (and lemon zest or red pepper flakes, if using). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen and emulsify the sauce.
- Keep the heat moderate cream should gently simmer, not boil.
- For the smoothest sauce, remove the pan from the heat before adding Parmesan and stir until fully melted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (~2 oz dry pasta with shrimp and sauce)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp alfredo, 30-minute dinner, weeknight pasta, garlic cream sauce, fettuccine, spaghetti