Description
A creamy and delicious Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo featuring tender shrimp, fresh broccoli florets, and fettuccine pasta tossed in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce made with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. This quick and satisfying meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. During the last 2 minutes of boiling, add the broccoli florets. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir and let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it melts smoothly and thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and shrimp back into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo warm and enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp; if frozen, thaw completely before cooking for best results.
- Feel free to substitute fettuccine with any pasta you prefer, such as linguine or penne.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control spiciness or omit entirely for a milder sauce.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Adding broccoli during the last 2 minutes of pasta boiling keeps it crisp-tender and bright green.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
