Pasta alfredo is a popular dish that is known and loved by many people. The term “Alfredo” has come to define a specific type of sauce; one made with Parmesan cheese and butter. It originated in Italy when it was a popular tourist dinner at the restaurant of Alfredo di Lelio. He would present the dinner with such fanfare and memorability that the meal of pasta with white sauce became known as pasta Alfredo instead of its former name, pasta al burro. Alfredo Shrimp is a simple, quick meal that can satisfy the whole family! Making an Alfredo sauce from scratch takes only a few steps and the shrimp can be any type you would like.
This recipe creates 6-8 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp (cooked, peeled, and deveined)
- 1 pound pasta
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 crushed clove of garlic
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- Noodles*
*The noodles should be begun first. Any noodle can be used for pasta alfredo, though fettuccine is a long-standing favorite of many.
Directions:
Fill a medium-sized pot with water and few pinches of salt. Let it heat until it begins to boil.
Once boiling, add in the pasta. Let the pasta cook for about 10 minutes or until the desired firmness is reached.
Drain the pasta once it is done cooking and place it aside until the sauce and shrimp are finished.
Shrimp and Sauce
Begin by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add in the garlic.
After about one minute, add in the shrimp. Let the shrimp cook for another minute.
Pour in the heavy cream and be sure to stir continuously.
Slowly add in the Parmesan cheese by mixing in one tablespoon at a time until it is all in the sauce.
When the sauce has thickened, it is complete! Mix the sauce, shrimp, and pasta together, and serve while it is hot.
Additional Options
There can be many additions to different types of pasta alfredo, but some good pairing for shrimp alfredo are broccoli, thinly sliced green pepper, or eggplant. Pepper is also a popular addition to the sauce and fits in well with the shrimp recipe. Other spices, such as paprika, can add a flavorful twist to a tried and true recipe. Different types of cheeses are also a possible expansion of the traditional recipe, some excellent choices would be Gruyere or mozzarella cheeses. A variety of meats or meat substitutes can also be used with this recipe, though it is suggested that those which are lighter in flavor be used, such as chicken, tofu, or fish.
