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Quick 15-Minute Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe Easy and Perfect for Dinner

Quick 15-Minute Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - featured image
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A fast, creamy shrimp Alfredo pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners. This dish combines tender shrimp with a silky garlic Parmesan sauce and pasta for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
  • 12 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Once the oil shimmers, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add grated Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg if using.
  5. Return shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat in the sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss gently to combine. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Heat everything together for another minute until warm and well mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Plate the pasta, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Add Parmesan cheese gradually and stir constantly to prevent sauce from breaking. Avoid high heat to keep sauce silky. Use pre-peeled and deveined shrimp to save time. Gently reheat leftovers with a splash of cream or milk to maintain sauce texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp alfredo, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, creamy pasta, garlic parmesan sauce, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

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