Blackened Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Are you craving a restaurant-quality dish at home? Try the Blackened Shrimp Alfredo Pasta recipe.

It mixes succulent shrimp, rich homemade Alfredo sauce, and a fire of Cajun-inspired blackened seasoning.

This creamy flavour-packed shrimp Alfredo is perfect for busy weeknight dinners or sophisticated gatherings.

Let’s go ahead and explore this irresistible seafood pasta dish, which is sure to charm anyone!

Why You’ll Love This Blackened Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Bold Flavours: A smoky and hot blackened spice would fall perfectly in place with rich Alfredo sauce. It brings about a rich flavour experience.

Quick and Simple: Ready in less than 30 minutes, making it a winner for busy nights. Enjoy a pleasantly substantial meal with little time spent.

Restaurant Standard: Impress with a fancy seafood pasta dish for your family or guests. It is like eating in a restaurant right at home.

Customizable: Change the spice level or change ingredients to suit your tastes. You can make it exactly as you like.

Versatile: Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or meal prep. It’s any occasion you have in mind.

Ingredients

For the Blackened Shrimp

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp blackened seasoning (store-bought or homemade)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Alfredo Sauce

12 oz fettuccine pasta

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional, for depth)

For Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped

Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions

To cook the pasta, set a big pot of salted water over high heat until boiling. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until it reaches an al dente stage, then drain and set aside, saving out 1/2 cup of pasta water.

For the shrimp, pat them dry with a paper towel and coat them with blackened seasoning. In a large frying pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.

Lay shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side until they turn opaque and slightly charred. Turn over and do the same for the other side. Remove the shrimp and set them aside.

Starting with the same frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Place garlic in and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Pour in heavy whipping cream and let it simmer. Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

If the sauce is too thick, loosen it a little bit with the reserved pasta water, pouring in a tablespoon at a time.

Toss the fettuccine into the Alfredo sauce, turning the pasta to coat. Gently fold in the blackened shrimp.

Plate the shrimps and fettuccine, garnishing with parsley and more shaved Parm, and serve right away.

Tips for the Best Blackened Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh or well-thawed shrimp deliver the best textural and flavour worthiness.

Don’t Overcook Shrimps: The cooking of the shrimp shall stop when they are opaque for the attainment of avoiding a rubbery texture.

Control the Seasoning: Taste and season with heat amount you prefer.

Grate Your Parmesan: Freshly grated cheese melts better than the purchased pre-grated one.

Reserve Pasta Water: Keep some pasta water so that you can adjust the sauce without losing flavour.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein Swap: You can replace shrimp with chicken, scallops, or even lobster.

Pasta Substitutions: It would include linguine or penne, or gluten-free options.

Lighted-Up Sauce: Half-and-half or lower-fat cream cheese to replace the heavy cream.

Veggie Boost: Add in extra flavour with sautéed shredded spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes.

Less Heat: Mild Cajun for lesser heat, and red pepper flakes for extra spiciness.

Serving Suggestions

Garlic Bread: Perfectly warm, buttery, and garlicky bread to soak up all the cream sauce.

Caesar Salad: Crunchy and tangy Caesar salad, a refreshing contrast to the heavy creamy pasta.

Steamed Asparagus: Lightly steamed for fresh and crisp elements to go along with the pasta.

Make-Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Instructions

Make-Ahead

Blacken seasonings can be prepared and stored in an airtight container.

Shrimp and Alfredo sauce can be cooked a day in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and gently reheated with fresh pasta.

Storing

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days refrigerated.

Pour into a skillet and heat gently, with a splash of cream or milk to restore some creaminess.

Freezing

Alfredo sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and slowly reheat. Shrimp and pasta should always be prepared fresh to maintain texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, when cooking, thaw the frozen shrimp by putting them in the refrigerator overnight or by soaking them under cold running water for 10-15 minutes.

How do I make homemade blackened seasoning?

Combine 1 tbsp paprika with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 0.5 tsp salt.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

The sauce will be made with coconut cream and dairy-free Parmesan or nutritional yeast as a supplement. And to replace the butter, olive oil will instead be used.

Is this recipe spicy?

This blackened seasoning has a mild to moderate kick. Adjust the cayenne in the seasoning to control heat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blackened Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe offers the ultimate comfort food, creamy and cheesy with a hint of spicy, smoky flavour from the shrimp.

Cooking for a crowd or treating yourself, either way, this quick and easy shrimp Alfredo is ready in thirty minutes, bringing gourmet flavours into your kitchen.

Make it tonight and up your pasta game! Share your creations in the comments or tag us on social!

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