Shrimp Alfredo Recipe – surprisingly easy and comforting spaghetti dinner in a creamy, garlicky, rich homemade alfredo sauce tossed with Cajun-seasoned juicy shrimp. Delicious dinner in 30 minutes!
What is Shrimp Alfredo Pasta?
The Shrimp Alfredo Pasta is just a perfect meal for those who love seafood and pasta. That creamy and velvety texture of the Alfredo sauce make it a luxurious decadent meal. Not to mention that juicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp that certainly please your palate. It’s simply is delicious!
Shrimp Alfredo Ingredients
Our Alfredo pasta for today uses just a handful of ingredients which are mostly pantry staple. Here I use two of my go-to seasonings – my homemade Cajun seasoning and Italian seasoning.
- shrimp
- butter
- Cajun seasoning
- minced garlic
- fresh thyme
- Italian seasoning (recipe here)
- whole milk
- heavy whipping cream (this helps thicken the sauce)
- softened cream cheese
- parmesan cheese (use only fresh grated parmesan cheese or else it won’t melt beautifully)
- spaghetti (feel free to swap it with fettucine, zoodles or any of your favorite pasta)
- salt and pepper to taste
How Do You Thicken Alfredo Sauce?
In creating the best alfredo sauce, the important thing is to set the skillet or saucepan at medium heat and then turn it medium-low. Whisking it occasionally also plays a large role to make a perfectly velvety thick sauce. And lastly, continue to simmer it until the sauce starts to thicken while occasionally whisking it. Don’t skip on the cream cheese as it helps with the thickening process.
Can I Use Jarred Alfredo Sauce?
Yes, you can. If you’re short in time, you can always use jarred alfredo sauce into your pasta. I don’t have favorites but Bertolli and Barilla have pretty good reviews, somehow. And to add more like a homemade flavor into it, you may use fresh minced garlic into the mix, butter and red pepper flakes for that additional kick.
Can I Make it in Advance?
You can, but I would really recommend cooking the shrimp and pasta on the day of serving. What you can do though is make the sauce on the night before and store in the fridge in an airtight container. (Also see my Homemade Alfredo Sauce HERE.)
How to Season Shrimp for Alfredo?
Usually, shrimp is only seasoned with salt and pepper, but with this alfredo recipe, I am adding my go-to Cajun seasoning for an extra flavor that also transcends to the sauce.
What Goes with Shrimp Alfredo?
Below are my favorite recipes to serve along with this decadent and easy pasta meal. And of course, I wouldn’t turn down some carbs-on-carbs pairing!
Easy Shrimp and Pasta Recipes
Looking for an easy and delicious dinner? You’ll love any of these ones below:
- Shrimp Spinach Pasta
- Creamy Shrimp Pasta
- Blackened Shrimp and Pasta
- Creamy Jerk Shrimp Spaghetti
- Creamy Bacon Fettuccine Shrimp Scampi
- Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
How To Make Shrimp Alfredo
Heat up a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil, then add shrimp and let it rest for 30 seconds before flipping. Add Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 4-5 minutes, making sure to flip to cook each side evenly until fully cooked. Set aside.
Heat up skillet or saucepan on medium heat then add butter to the pan followed by garlic, thyme and Italian seasoning. Saute for about 1-2 minutes, or just until garlic is soft and fragrant.
Turn down the heat to medium-low. Whisk in cream and milk, then add cream cheese while continuing to whisk, until thoroughly blended. Add parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to a simmer, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Continue to simmer for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Turn off heat and toss with pasta and shrimp to serve immediately. Or let it cool then store in the fridge until ready to be used.
Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (28ml) oil
- 1 pound (453g) jumbo shrimp , peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon (4g) Creole/Cajun seasoning
- salt and pepper taste
- 3 tablespoons (42g) butter
- 2 teaspoons (10g) minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon (0.80g) fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon (1.8g) Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups (360g) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- 2-3 oz (60-90g) cream cheese , softened
- 1-1 ½ cup (100-150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz (224g) spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat up a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil, then add shrimp and let it rest for 30 seconds before flipping. Add Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 4-5 minutes, making sure to flip to cook each side evenly until fully cooked. Set aside.
- Heat up skillet or saucepan on medium heat then add butter to the pan followed by garlic, thyme and Italian seasoning. Saute for about 1-2 minutes, or just until garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Turn down the heat to medium-low. Whisk in cream and milk, then add cream cheese while continuing to whisk, until thoroughly blended.
- Add parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to a simmer, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue to simmer for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Turn off heat and toss with pasta and shrimp to serve immediately. Or let it cool then store in the fridge until ready to be used.
Tips & Notes:
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Michele says
An easy excellent recipe. I highly recommend it
imma africanbites says
Thank you, Michele!
Beverly Huckaby says
Super easy and so delicious !
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome ! Thanks Beverly.
Melanie says
This was delicious! Thank you! My new go to Alfredo recipe!!
imma africanbites says
Yaay! So happy to read this.
Monica Carvery says
Delicious easy recipes!!
imma africanbites says
It is indeed. Thank you for stopping by!