Oh, the magic of a perfectly creamy pasta dish after a long day! There’s just something SO comforting and yet incredibly elegant about a bowl of linguine swimming in a rich, velvety sauce, especially when you add sweet, plump shrimp. This Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine is my go-to when I want a meal that feels fancy enough for guests but is honestly simple enough for a Tuesday night. I remember the first time I made this for my family; my son, who can be a little picky, practically licked his plate clean! It’s that good. Trust me, this is the dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

This dish is a total winner for so many reasons!

Super Quick: Seriously, you can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in about 35 minutes. Perfect for busy nights!
Easy Peasy: Even if you’re new to cooking, this recipe is totally foolproof. The steps are straightforward, and the results are always impressive.
Incredibly Rich & Flavorful: That creamy Alfredo sauce with tender shrimp? Pure bliss! It’s the ultimate comfort food.
So Versatile: It’s elegant enough for a special date night but simple enough for a family dinner. Plus, you can totally swap out the shrimp for chicken or even add some veggies if you like!

Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready! This is where the magic really starts to happen. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process so smooth, you’ll fly through it. Seriously, get your mise en place sorted and you’ll be enjoying this amazing pasta in no time!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound linguine: My absolute favorite for Alfredo, but you could use fettuccine or spaghetti too!
1 pound large shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen (thawed) work great.
1/2 cup unsalted butter: This is the base of our glorious sauce.
2 cloves garlic: Gotta have that garlic punch! Minced nice and fine.
1 1/2 cups heavy cream: This gives us that dreamy, luscious creaminess. Don’t skimp here!
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Best if you can grate it yourself right before using. It melts so much better!
1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Just a little kick to wake things up.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Or to your taste, of course!
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: For that pop of green and fresh flavor at the end. It makes it look *so* pretty!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

Alright, let’s dive into making this amazing Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine! It’s really not complicated at all, and watching it come together is half the fun. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a showstopper on your hands faster than you can say “dinner is served!” Also, don’t forget to check out 10 delicious pasta dishes to satisfy any craving if you’re feeling inspired for more pasta fun!

Cooking the Linguine

First things first, let’s get that linguine going! Pop on a big pot of salted water and cook your linguine according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. You know, that nice slight bite? Before you drain it, and this is super important, scoop out about a cup of that starchy pasta water. It’s liquid gold for making your sauce just right!

Creating the Flavorful Alfredo Sauce

Now for the star of the show – that glorious sauce! Grab a large skillet and melt your butter over medium heat. Toss in that minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it smells amazing. Be careful not to burn it! Then, pour in the heavy cream. Let it come to a gentle simmer and cook for just about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until it starts to thicken up a bit. This is where the magic happens. Stir in your grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until everything is melted, smooth, and wonderfully creamy. Oh, it smells divine!

Perfectly Cooking the Shrimp

While your sauce is simmering, let’s sort out the shrimp. Add your peeled and deveined shrimp right into that fragrant skillet (yes, right into where the sauce is building or in a separate pan if you prefer to keep things super separate, personal preference!). Cook them for just 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. We don’t want to overcook them, or they’ll get tough! Once they’re beautifully cooked, just scoop them out and set them aside for a moment.

Bringing It All Together

Time to unite our elements! Add your drained linguine and those perfectly cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Give it all a good toss until every strand of pasta and every shrimp is coated in that lusciously creamy sauce. If it looks a little too thick for your liking, just add a glug or two of that reserved pasta water. This is your chance to get the sauce exactly how you want it – silky and smooth. Give it a final stir, and bam! Your Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine is ready to be devoured!

Tips for the Perfect Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

Okay, so this Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine is pretty forgiving, but there are a few little tricks that will take it from *good* to *absolutely mind-blowing*. Trust me on these!

Use Quality Ingredients: Seriously, it makes a difference! Freshly grated Parmesan melts way better and tastes so much more vibrant than the pre-grated stuff. And good quality heavy cream is your best friend here for that super luscious texture.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: This is probably the MOST important tip. Shrimp cook super fast! They go from perfectly tender to rubbery in seconds. Keep an eye on them; they should just turn pink and opaque. Set them aside when they look *almost* done.
Pasta Water is Key: I can’t stress this enough. That starchy water is like magic for thinning out your sauce just right. It emulsifies with the sauce and makes it cling perfectly to the pasta.
Low and Slow for the Sauce: While you can’t simmer the sauce forever, try to keep the heat on medium-low when you’re adding the cream and cheese. This prevents it from breaking or getting grainy. If you want to explore even more amazing shrimp pasta ideas, check out this flavorful creamy Cajun shrimp linguine recipe!
Fresh Parsley is a MUST: It might seem small, but that fresh pop of green and herby flavor at the end just brightens everything up. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s chat about a couple of things that make this Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine sing, and what you can do if you need to tweak it a bit!

First off, the Parmesan cheese. While the recipe calls for grated Parmesan, I seriously swear by grating your own. The stuff in the green can just doesn’t melt the same way and can sometimes make your sauce a little grainy. So, grab a block of good quality Parmigiano-Reggiano or even just a nice Pecorino Romano and grate it fresh. Trust me, it’s a game-changer!

Now, about that heavy cream. It’s what makes Alfredo so magically rich, but if you’re looking for a slightly lighter version, you could try using half-and-half. Just know the sauce might not be quite as thick or decadent. You can also try whole milk, but you’ll probably need to add a bit more cheese or let it simmer longer to get that lovely thickness, and there’s a small risk it could separate a bit. And for my dairy-free pals, unsweetened cashew cream or a really good coconut cream (the thick part from the can) can work in a pinch, though it will change the flavor profile a bit!

Serving Suggestions for Your Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

This luscious Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine is amazing all by itself, but it loves a good partner! A crisp green salad, maybe with my ultimate Caesar dressing, is just perfect to cut through the richness. And of course, some warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping up any extra sauce is non-negotiable! A crisp white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, goes beautifully too.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers of this amazing Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine? Lucky you! Pop any extra into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’s best eaten within 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, gentle is the name of the game. Stir in a splash of milk or cream into the pasta and sauce before heating it gently on the stove over low heat. This helps bring back that creamy texture, as the sauce can sometimes thicken up quite a bit when cold. Just heat until it’s warmed through – no need to boil!

Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

Got a question about whipping up this delicious Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine? I’ve got you covered!

Can I make this Alfredo sauce ahead of time?

You can totally make the Alfredo sauce base (without the shrimp or pasta) a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Gently reheat it on the stove, and then you can add your cooked shrimp and pasta. It won’t be *quite* as fresh as making it all at once, but it’s a great time-saver for busy weeks!

What kind of shrimp is best for this recipe?

I love using large shrimp – they’re plump and have a great texture. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined! You can use fresh or frozen (just thaw them completely first). If you can find them, try to get “EZ-peel” shrimp to save yourself a little prep work. Medium shrimp work fine too, they’ll just cook a little faster.

How can I make the Alfredo sauce thicker or thinner?

If your sauce is too thick, it’s super easy to thin it out! Just stir in a little bit of that reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer gently for a few more minutes without the pasta and shrimp. You can also stir in a tiny bit more grated Parmesan cheese, which helps thicken it up.

Can I add vegetables to this shrimp linguine?

Absolutely! This Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine is fantastic with veggies. Broccoli florets, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus would be lovely additions. Just add them to the skillet along with the garlic or the cream, and cook until tender before adding the shrimp and pasta.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, the numbers below are estimates for one serving of this Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine. They can totally change depending on the specific brands you use and exactly how much of each ingredient goes in. It’s a treat meal, for sure!

Calories: Around 750
Fat: About 50g
Protein: Roughly 35g
Carbohydrates: Around 55g

Irresistible Creamy Alfredo Shrimp Linguine

Author: faironplay.com
Total Time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A rich and creamy shrimp linguine dish with a classic Alfredo sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound linguine
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
Pour heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Add cooked linguine and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to coat with sauce. If sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
You can substitute chicken or scallops for shrimp.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 750
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 600
Fat: 50
Saturated Fat: 30
Unsaturated Fat: 20
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 3
Protein: 35
Cholesterol: 300

Keywords: shrimp linguine, alfredo sauce, creamy pasta, seafood pasta, easy dinner, italian pasta