Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 pound fresh or thawed large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 ounces dried or fresh fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice to balance the richness.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked fettuccine and shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce for perfect creaminess.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and inviting.
Notes
- Don’t overcook shrimp; cook just until pink to avoid rubbery texture.
- Reserve pasta water to help thicken sauce and make it cling to noodles.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for optimal flavor and melting quality.
- Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer or adding reserved pasta water.
- Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for vibrant flavor.
- Add a touch of lemon juice to brighten and balance creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, fettuccine recipe, quick dinner, seafood pasta, Italian pasta, weeknight meal