Creamy shrimp alfredo pasta on a plate with a fork beside it

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This Shrimp Alfredo Fettuccini is a major comfort food. There’s just something about a mountain of pasta consumed by rich creamy sauce, and studded with large, tender shrimp that has my name written all over it. It reminds me of my favorite dish at Olive Garden; seafood Alfredo.

I sent some leftovers of this pasta to my sisters house and she called me soon after to ask if I had posted it on my blog yet, adding, “This is better than any restaurant Alfredo I’ve ever tried!” It’s a winner.

Not to mention, the price you pay for 1 plate of this at Olive Garden could feed a family of six. It’s also surprisingly easy to make and is ready in under 30 minutes. My son LOVES it and I don’t have to remind him 100 times to take another bite.

Watch How to Make Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta:

Ingredients for Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta:

3/4 lb fettuccine or penne pasta
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Tbsp oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp butter
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup white wine (I used Ste Chapelle Chardonay ~$6)*
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
S&P to taste
Sprinkle of paprika
Parsley or basil for garnish if desired

Shrimp Alfredo-9

*Want to Substitute the Wine?

No problem! Omit the white wine and squeeze some lemon juice into the sauce after adding the cream, adding the lemon juice to taste (about 1/2 medium lemon) then season to taste with salt, pepper and paprika. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not concentrate.

How to make Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta:

1. Cook 3/4 lb fettuccini noodles in salted water according to package instructions and drain. Don’t rinse (this helps the sauce stick to the noodles better).

2. Lightly season shrimp with salt, pepper and paprika. Preheat a large skillet to med/high and add 1 Tbsp oil. Once oil is hot, add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 min per side or just until fully cooked and no longer translucent. They should be golden/pink on the outside and opaque white on the inside. Don’t over-do it or they will be rubbery. Remove shrimp to a separate bowl.

Two photos of shrimp in a skillet in one they are cooked in another raw

3. In same pan, over medium/high heat, add 2 Tbsp butter and onion and sauté onion till golden. Stir in garlic and sauté another minute. Stir in 1/3 cup white wine and reduce to 25% scraping the bottom to deglaze the pan.

Three photos of skillets with onions and garlic being sautéed

4.Stir in Cream and simmer for 2 min. Next, sprinkle the top with 1/3 cup parmesan (or add to taste) and stir just until creamy and smooth and remove from heat. Don’t boil or the cheese will separate from the cream. Add about 1/4 tsp paprika and season with S&P to taste.

Two photos of alfredo sauce being prepared

5. Add the cooked shrimp and drained (un-rinsed pasta). Garnish with parsley, basil, extra parmesan or freshly cracked pepper if desired.

Two photos of alfredo sauce in a saucepan with shrimp and pasta being added to it

A plate of creamy shrimp alfredo pasta with a fork beside it

Shrimp Alfredo-4-3

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe

4.94 from 293 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Creamy shrimp alfredo pasta on a plate with a fork beside it
This Shrimp Fettuccine Aflredo is a major comfort food. There's just something about a mountain of pasta consumed by rich creamy sauce, and studded with large, tender shrimp that has my name written all over it. It reminds me of my favorite dish at Olive Garden; seafood alfredo. It's also surprisingly easy to make; ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people
  • 3/4 lb fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/3 cup white wine, I used Ste Chapelle Chardonay ~$6
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • S&P to taste
  • Sprinkle of paprika
  • Parsley or basil for garnish if desired

Instructions

  • Cook 3/4 lb fettuccini noodles in salted water according to package instructions and drain. Don't rinse (this helps the sauce stick to the noodles better).
  • Lightly season shrimp with salt, pepper and paprika. Preheat a large skillet to med/high and add 1 Tbsp oil. Once oil is hot, add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 min per side or just until fully cooked and no longer translucent. They should be golden/pink on the outside and opaque white on the inside. Don't over-do it or they will be rubbery. Remove shrimp to a separate bowl.
  • In same pan, over medium/high heat, add 2 Tbsp butter and onion and sauté onion till golden. Stir in garlic and sauté another minute. Stir in 1/3 cup white wine and reduce to 25% scraping the bottom to deglaze the pan.
  • Stir in Cream and simmer for 2 min. Next, sprinkle the top with 1/3 cup parmesan (or add to taste) and stir just until creamy and smooth and remove from heat. Don't boil or the cheese will separate from the cream. Add about 1/4 tsp paprika and season with S&P to taste.
  • Add the cooked shrimp and drained (un-rinsed pasta). Garnish with parsley, basil, extra parmesan or freshly cracked pepper if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving

647kcal Calories45g Carbs28g Protein39g Fat23g Saturated Fat3g Polyunsaturated Fat11g Monounsaturated Fat0.2g Trans Fat273mg Cholesterol214mg Sodium458mg Potassium2g Fiber4g Sugar1362IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C194mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
647
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
39
g
60
%
Saturated Fat
 
23
g
144
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
11
g
Cholesterol
 
273
mg
91
%
Sodium
 
214
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
458
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
28
g
56
%
Vitamin A
 
1362
IU
27
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
194
mg
19
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 647
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
This recipe reminds me of my favorite dish at Olive Garden; seafood alfredo. The creamy pasta studded with large, tender shrimp is the ultimate comfort food! |natashaskitchen
4.94 from 293 votes (105 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Trisha
    May 19, 2015

    Could i use white cooking wine instead?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 19, 2015

      I wouldn’t recommend using cooking wine. There are additives in cooking wine that would alter the flavor. If you do use it, I’d suggest using less, but this recipe is best with a good drinkable white wine.

      Reply

  • Melissa
    May 7, 2015

    I have made this dish TWICE, and I’ve passed the recipe on to my BFF, both of our families LOVED this, children ages 1-5 included! This recipe truly is restaurant quality or better, and so simple to make! I’m not a big alfredo sauce fan and I could eat this dish for days! Thank you for this recipe Natasha, it’s delicious! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 8, 2015

      I’m so happy you all loved the recipe!! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your awesome review! 🙂

      Reply

  • Donna Maynard
    May 2, 2015

    I am teaching my 14 year daughter how to cook and thought this recipe would be a good one for us to try. We substituted chicken broth for the wine and dinner was excellent! She was amazed how easy it was to cook a homemade meal. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 2, 2015

      Awww that’s so awesome to hear! Your daughter is going to be a master chef in no time! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Warm, fuzzy feelings over here 🙂

      Reply

  • Joyce
    May 1, 2015

    I just recently discovered your site and I instantly fell in love.❤ I was looking for a white sauce pasta dish and I ended up seeing your creamy shrimp pasta. I tried it out (I tagged you in my instagram hihi) and well I know it’s not as good as how yours would have tasted haha but I was satisfied and so were the people who ate it. I love how easy your instructions are and the pictures. I’ve used alternatives though on some ingredients that are not readily available or are quite expensive but the results I think are pretty similar. I’m not sure how the real thing tastes so maybe you can share some alternatives to some ingredients? I googled them myself but I was thinking it would have been better to hear from you as you’d know the best alternative. Anyway, I plan to try out your other dishes in the next coming days. Thanks for sharing this blog!

    P.S you have a lovely family and I’m happy to know you are Christians too! Godbless you always! ✌

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 1, 2015

      Hi Joyce! Thank you so much for your sweet comment and God bless you also! Are you referring to the white wine in the recipe? Some of my readers have substituted with just adding broth, but the wine really enhances the flavor. P.S. I hope you love all of the recipes you try!

      Reply

  • Bigfan
    April 25, 2015

    This was sooooo good! Thanks for sharing!!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 26, 2015

      Thank you so much for the great review!

      Reply

  • Robyn
    April 25, 2015

    Hi Natasha! I like your recipe and found many of your tips very helpful. In efforts to eat sustainably, I find doubling one’s recipes can make a difference. Leftovers last twice as long, and the energy used is less than if one were to cook multiple meals. Saving leftovers and turning them into new meals for yourself and others also saves energy and reduces waste!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 25, 2015

      I agree and I love your tip! Thanks Robyn 🙂

      Reply

  • Clara Tay
    April 25, 2015

    Hi Natasha, we made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 25, 2015

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Thanks for sharing your review 😉

      Reply

  • DeeDee
    April 21, 2015

    Hello Natasha! Great recipe! Made it for dinner tonight and the family loved it!Along with the wine and cream, I added a bit of chicken broth and it was perfect. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 21, 2015

      You are welcome and great job on improvising :).

      Reply

  • Nora
    April 17, 2015

    OMG – easy to make, mine didn’t look quite as the above but nonetheless it was soooo yummy!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 17, 2015

      I’m so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply

  • holly
    April 3, 2015

    I am making this tonight for Good Friday. If I added scallops would you do a half pound of shrimp and a half pound of scallops or what do you think is the best way to incorporate some scallops? Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 3, 2015

      Holly, you can either add scallops or reduce shrimp. But I always love more sea food in the recipe :).

      Reply

  • Whitney
    March 31, 2015

    Can you use anything to sub for the wine?! Want to make this tonight for my husbands birthday 🙂 thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 31, 2015

      The white wine adds very nice flavor but I’ve had readers report good results with using some chicken broth instead.

      Reply

  • Natasha
    natashaskitchen
    March 4, 2015

    Your shrimp alfredo looks so yummy! I love that you added mushrooms 🙂 Mmmm…

    Reply

  • rene
    March 3, 2015

    Made this for dinner tonight for my husband and I and it was great!! We always used jar alfreado and I was never satisfied with it so decided to make my own and cane across this recipe and it amazing and simple for anyone to make. This will be my go-to alfreado from now on.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 3, 2015

      Thank you for the great review Rene, I’m so happy to hear you both liked the recipe :).

      Reply

  • petra
    February 23, 2015

    oh my this was awesome!! super light and very very yummy. I didn’t have any wine so I used chicken stock and it came out perfect too. Also, I added portobello mushrooms to it. it’s a keeper. thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 23, 2015

      Thank you for the great review Petra and great job on improvising :).

      Reply

  • Gigi
    February 16, 2015

    Hi, will this be good if I add chicken to this recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 16, 2015

      Yes, this can absolutely be a creamy chicken alfredo pasta 🙂

      Reply

      • Gigi
        February 17, 2015

        Thank you for your quick reply! one more question, can half and half be used instead of heavy cream?

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          February 17, 2015

          If using half and half, you might refer to this recipe – my mom makes her chicken fettuccine frequently and uses half and half. It’s lighter but still quite tasty 🙂

          Reply

  • Dana
    February 13, 2015

    looks amazing and i cant wait to try it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT… i don’t drink or have anything alcoholic so is the white wine necessary?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 13, 2015

      We don’t drink either but I do cook with white wine. It adds amazing flavor. I always hope that the church pastor doesn’t find me in the liquor aisle at the store. It was particularly awkward a couple weeks ago being in line with a bottle of wine (for cooking ofcourse) and having a big ol pregnancy belly too. :-O. lol. Anyway, to answer your question. It isn’t absolutely necessary but it does add nice flavor 🙂 It’s kind of like the secret ingredient in a good alfredo sauce.

      Reply

  • Jessica Y.
    February 12, 2015

    Yummy! Made this for my hubby last night, and he was thrilled, he said it’s better than any restaurant. And this morning he woke up and asked me to do it again for breakfast… lol. Thanks for awesome recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 12, 2015

      What a great review Jessica! Thank you for taking the time to write in, I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it :D.

      Reply

  • Yasime Watson
    February 11, 2015

    uhm … this looks amazing and i cant wait to try it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD BUT i don’t drink any alcohol so is the whine really necessary ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 11, 2015

      We don’t drink alcohol either, but I sure love to cook with it. It adds alot of good flavor, but you can replace it with stock – either chicken or vegetable broth will do :). It also helps to deglaze the pan.

      Reply

  • tifani
    February 10, 2015

    Hi I was wondering if there was a substitute for the white wine that I could possibly use & get the same great result with. I don’t have access to white wine. I would appreciate the help. Thanks so much! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 11, 2015

      You could just use some broth (chicken or veggie broth) – it also helps to deglaze the pan 🙂

      Reply

  • Derek
    February 5, 2015

    I made this last night and it was fantastic. Loved the addition of garlic and onion. It was also the first time I have used wine for the Alfredo. It gave it a greater depth. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 5, 2015

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for the awesome review!

      Reply

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