30 minute Shrimp Alfredo

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 box spaghetti or fettuccine noodles
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails removed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream, room temperature if possible
• 4 ounces cream cheese (half an 8-ounce block)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere's seasoning, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. 1

   Remove the tails and shells from the shrimp if needed. Season the shrimp with Tony's seasoning and black pepper and let them sit while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat but leave the pasta in the water until you're ready to add it to the sauce.

3. 3

   While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until pink. Flip and cook for another minute or until fully cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the milk or cream and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream cheese and stir until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and allow the sauce to gently simmer until it begins to thicken. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent scorching.

5. 5

   Set aside 4 shrimp for garnish. Finely chop the remaining shrimp and stir them into the Alfredo sauce.

6. 6

   Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta directly from the pasta water into the Alfredo sauce. Add only enough pasta to keep the sauce creamy and coating the noodles well. A little pasta water clinging to the noodles is helpful and will improve the flavor and consistency of the sauce.

7. 7

   Taste and adjust with additional Tony's seasoning or black pepper if desired.

8. 8

   Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan cheese, a reserved shrimp on each serving, and fresh chopped parsley.

💡 Tips for Success

• For the creamiest sauce, allow the milk or cream to come close to room temperature before adding it to the skillet.
• Don't rinse the pasta after cooking. The starch helps the sauce cling to the noodles.
• Chopping the shrimp into the sauce adds flavor throughout every bite while the whole shrimp garnish gives the dish a beautiful presentation.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.