Easy Shrimp Alfredo

This Easy Shrimp Alfredo is a creamy pasta dish that combines juicy shrimp with tender pasta and veggies in a luxurious parmesan sauce.

Trevor makes me this easy shrimp alfredo every year on our anniversary. Not only is this pasta dish, ahem, easy, it’s impressive and just overall my favorite thing ever. It’s full of perfectly al-dente penne, tender shrimp, and a dreamy-creamy as spicy as you want it alfredo sauce. 

PSST – be sure to watch the video below! It’ll how you just how darn easy this recipe is and we include the actual footage from our engagement in Maui!

Ingredients

• Pasta – penne pasta is used in the recipe, but feel free to switch it up for your favorite noodle! You’ll need 1 (16 oz) box that’s cooked al denté according to box directions. 
• Butter and Olive Oil – butter adds flavor when sautéeing the vegetables. The oil helps raise the smoke point so the butter doesn’t burn. 
• Veggies: Onion, Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, and Garlic – yellow onion, red bell pepper, and portobello mushrooms work together to create a sweet, earthy, flavorful and colorful base for this dish. Garlic adds a subtle nutty flavor; free free to freshly mince your own garlic or used a pre-minced, jarred variety. 
• Shrimp – fresh or frozen shrimp that has been thawed may be used. Look for peeled, deveined, tails off shrimp for the easiest prep. Medium, large, extra large, or jumbo shrimp will work, however, cook time will vary. Smaller shrimps, I find, are easier to overcook. 
• Alfredo Sauce – we’re keeping things simple by using a jarred variety; use your favorite brand, but make sure it’s a 15-16 oz jar. Want to take it up a notch? Use my homemade alfredo sauce instead!
• Cheese – finely grated romano cheese melts beautifully into the sauce and adds a sharp, nutty flavor. 
• Heavy Cream – thins out the jarred alfredo to create a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce that coats the pasta, shrimp, and vegetables beautifully. 
• Spices: Cayenne Pepper, Salt, and Pepper – to taste. Cayenne pepper adds spice, salt adds flavor, and pepper adds a subtle earthy heat. 

How to make

1. Heat oil and butter a large non-stick pan over medium heat, then cook onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic until tender, then add in shrimp and cook until it starts to turn pink. 
2. Stir in alfredo sauce, romano, and heavy cream and let simmer until the shrimp is cooked, then add in cayenne, salt, and pepper, to taste. 
3. Stir in the cooked pasta, taste and re-season, if necessary, then serve and enjoy!

How do you thaw frozen shrimp?

I recommend following the directions on your package of shrimp, but most will likely say to submerge the package of shrimp in cool water for 10-30 minutes, or in the fridge overnight.

How do you know when shrimp are fully cooked?

When shrimp are curled into a “c” and are pink in color, you’ll know they’re cooked. A shrimp curled into an o means they’re overcooked. If the shrimp are gray and translucent, they’re undercooked. 

How do you make homemade alfredo sauce?

This recipe calls for 1 (15 oz) jar of store-bought alfredo sauce. If you’re looking to take this dish up a notch, check out my homemade alfredo sauce recipe! 

What to serve with easy shrimp alfredo

All you need is some bread and a salad and you’ve got yourself a complete meal. Don’t forget the dessert!

• Garlic bread
• Rhodes rolls
• Pear, blue cheese, candied pecan salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Chocolate lava cakes
• Apple crisp

Variations

• Switch the pasta. Not a fan of penne? Use your favorite noodle instead! Fettuccine, spaghetti, bow tie, etc. 
• Try another protein. Ditch the shrimp and try sausage, grilled chicken, or even tofu. 
• Make homemade alfredo. If you’ve got extra time to spare try my homemade alfredo sauce.
• Swap the cheese. If you can’t find romano, try parmesan, asiago, or a combination of the three. 
• Use other seasonings. Adding Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, or parsley would be a fun twist or check out my Cajun Shrimp Pasta!

How to store

Cooled leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing the leftovers. 

To enjoy again, heat in the microwave until warm. Add a splash of heavy cream if the pasta has dried out. 

– Jennifer

Easy Shrimp Alfredo

4.94 from 131 votes

This Easy Shrimp Alfredo is a creamy pasta dish that combines juicy shrimp with tender pasta and veggies in a luxurious parmesan sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Yield: 6 people

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Ingredients

1x2x3x

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 1 (16 oz) box penne cooked al denté according to box directions
• ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 yellow onion diced
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper diced
• ▢ 1 (8 oz) package portobello mushrooms roughly chopped
• ▢ 6 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 pound medium/large shrimp peeled, de-veined, tails off
• ▢ 1 (15 oz) jar alfredo sauce
• ▢ ½ cup grated Romano cheese
• ▢ ½ cup heavy cream
• ▢ cayenne pepper to taste
• ▢ salt to taste
• ▢ pepper to taste
• ▢ chopped parsley to garnish - optional

Recipe Video

Instructions

• Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Once hot add in olive oil and butter.
• Once butter has melted add in diced onions and cook for 3 minutes, or until onions have started to soften.
• Add in red bell pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes.
• Stir in mushrooms and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
• Add in shrimp and cook until the shrimp just starts to turn pink.
• Stir in Alfredo sauce, romano, and heavy cream and let simmer for 5 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked.
• Stir in spices and cooked pasta.
• Taste and re-season as desired, then serve and enjoy!
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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:N/A

Reheat:Stovetop or microwave until warm.

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Easy Shrimp Alfredo

Amount Per Serving (1 large portion)

Calories 719 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 17g106%

Cholesterol 293mg98%

Sodium 1182mg51%

Potassium 469mg13%

Carbohydrates 65g22%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 32g64%

Vitamin A 1185IU24%

Vitamin C 30.7mg37%

Calcium 239mg24%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: garlic shrimp alfredo, shrimp alfredo penne

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Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian