Ultimate Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta With Mushrooms

Enjoy the elegance of Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Mushrooms, drenched in a rich Alfredo sauce with the right touch of spices for a perfect dinner treat.

Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Mushrooms Recipe

Enjoy the comfort of Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Mushrooms. Succulent shrimp and earthy mushrooms are enveloped in a velvety Alfredo sauce, enriched with garlic, basil, and a hint of paprika. A blend of Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese adds a luxurious depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 oz fettuccine pasta (for gluten free version, use gluten-free brown rice pasta)
• ½ cup cooked pasta water (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb shrimp (10 big shrimp or 20 small shrimp without shells, deveined)
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 8 oz mushrooms thinly sliced
• 1 cup half and half
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
• ½ cup Mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

Cook pasta

• Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain. Reserve some of the pasta water.

How to cook shrimp

• Heat a large skillet until hot – add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and immediately add garlic and shrimp.
• Cook on one side for about 1 minute until pink, on medium-high heat.
• Flip the shrimp to the other side. Sprinkle the top of the cooked side of shrimp with dry basil, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, occasionally stirring, until shrimp is pink on both sides.
• Remove the shrimp from the skillet. If shrimp is a little undercooked – it’s OK because you will continue cooking it in the sauce.

How to cook mushrooms

• To the same, now empty, skillet, add sliced mushrooms. Add more olive oil if necessary.
• Cook on medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, occasionally stirring, until mushrooms become soft and release juices. Sprinkle with a small amount of salt midway through cooking.

Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Mushrooms

Add Shrimp and Cream

1. To the skillet with mushrooms, add cooked shrimp.
2. Immediately add 1 cup of half-and-half.
3. Bring to a boil.

Incorporate Cheese

4. Add half the cheese (½ cup).
5. Bring to a boil, and immediately reduce to a medium-simmer.
6. Cook, constantly stirring, until the cheese melts.
7. Gradually start adding the remaining cheese (½ cup), while stirring.
   • Do not add all of the remaining ½ cup of cheese at once.
   • Add just enough for the sauce to get creamy without getting too thick. You might not use all of the remaining cheese.

Adjust Seasoning and Combine

8. Remove from heat. Taste, and add more salt if needed.
9. Add cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with shrimp, mushrooms, and cream sauce.
10. Reheat on medium heat. Stir well.

Adjust Sauce Consistency

11. If the cream sauce is too thick, add some pasta water in small amounts to the cream sauce (while the sauce is simmering on low-medium heat) until you reach the desired consistency.

Final Seasoning

1. 12. Season with more salt and add more crushed red pepper flakes and basil, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• Caesar Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Roasted Asparagus
• Steamed Broccoli
• Caprese Salad

Tips and Tricks

• Use high-quality olive oil and fresh garlic for sautéing shrimp to enhance the flavor.
• Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of your cream sauce.
• For a thicker sauce, add more cheese while the liquids are hot.
• Experiment with different types of pasta like brown rice fettuccine for a gluten-free option.