Description
Indulgent Creamy Shrimp Pasta promises a delightful journey through Italian-inspired flavors. Silky sauce, tender shrimp, and al dente pasta combine for a restaurant-quality meal you can savor at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) raw peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), thawed if frozen
- 1 lb (454 g) dried fettuccine pasta
- 1.5 oz (43 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 medium lemon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1.75 tsps kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more as needed
- Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large salted water pot to a vigorous boil, then immerse fettuccine, stirring occasionally and cooking slightly under the recommended al dente time. Reserve a measuring cup of pasta water before draining.
- Shrimp Searing: Pat shrimp dry, season with kosher salt. Heat olive oil in a skillet until shimmering, then sear shrimp in batches until golden and opaque, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauce Development: In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter until foamy. Add minced garlic, stirring until fragrant and lightly golden. Pour heavy cream, whisking in Parmesan cheese until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Pasta Integration: Fold cooked fettuccine into the creamy sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Final Touches: Incorporate seared shrimp, sprinkle lemon zest, and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serving: Plate immediately while pasta remains hot and sauce maintains its creamy texture, ensuring maximum flavor and optimal dining experience.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of fettuccine.
- Shrimp Searing Secrets: Cook shrimp in batches to ensure golden, caramelized edges without steaming or overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper browning.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Gradually whisk Parmesan into warm cream to prevent clumping and create a smooth, velvety sauce that blends seamlessly with the pasta.
- Fresh Herb Finale: Add parsley and lemon zest at the very end to preserve their bright flavors and aromatic qualities, giving the dish a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 715
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 489 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg