Few dishes embody Italian-American comfort food quite like Olive Garden’s Shrimp Alfredo. This restaurant favorite combines tender, perfectly seasoned shrimp with silky fettuccine noodles, all enveloped in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce that’s become legendary. What makes this dish irresistible is the harmony between the sweet, succulent shrimp and the luxurious alfredo sauce that clings to every strand of pasta.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to authentic Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo lies in using quality ingredients and proper technique. Fresh butter, heavy cream, and real Parmesan cheese combine to create a sauce that’s naturally smooth and rich, without any artificial thickeners. The shrimp are seasoned simply and sautéed quickly to maintain their tender texture, while the pasta is cooked just until al dente to provide the perfect backdrop for the creamy sauce.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- Large shrimp – Provide substantial bites and sweet seafood flavor
- Salt – Enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp
- Ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity
- Butter РCreates a rich flavor base for saut̩ing shrimp
- Fresh garlic – Adds aromatic depth and classic Italian flavor
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- Fettuccine pasta – Traditional choice with a perfect surface for sauce adhesion
- Heavy cream – Creates the rich, smooth base of the Alfredo sauce
- Butter – Provides richness and helps emulsify the sauce
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese – Essential for authentic flavor and proper melting
How to Make Shrimp Alfredo
Making shrimp Alfredo is relatively easy. You can make the whole dish in under 20 minutes.
- If your shrimp is not already peeled and deveined, peel and devein them.
- Start the pasta water to boil.
- Make the Alfredo sauce by melting the butter and cream together.
- When the butter and cream have melted, add the Parmesan cheese and stir until it has melted. Reduce the temperature to low.
- Drop your pasta into the boiling water and cook the shrimp.
- Season shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- Saute shrimp by adding butter to a skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add chopped garlic and saute for about 30 seconds.Â
- Saute shrimp on each side for about 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp should be pink.
- When the pasta is done, drain it and toss it into the Alfredo sauce.
- Serve the Alfredo pasta topped with the cooked shrimp.
Secrets for How to Make Delicious Shrimp Alfredo
- Use medium-sized shrimp;Â this way, you get a good bite of seafood flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp;Â you can undercook them slightly, as they will finish cooking when combined with the pasta.
- Use a good-quality Parmesan cheese. Avoid using Parmesan cheese from a can.
- Do not overcook the pasta – Mushy pasta is not a good thing. Cook your pasta al dente.
Tips and Tricks for Making Alfredo sauce
- Use a Parmesan cheese that you will grate. Pre-grated cheese often contains an anti-caking agent that can prevent the cheese from melting evenly.
- Heat the butter and cream to a boil before you add the cheese; it will melt better this way.
- If you plan on having some extra sauce, do not store the sauce with the pasta; the pasta can soak up the sauce.
What to Serve with Shrimp Alfredo
Enjoy this heavenly pasta dish with the addition of broccoli or mushrooms, which you can mix right into the sauce or serve on the side.
You can also serve it with homemade Olive Garden breadsticks or garlic bread and a side salad such as Olive Garden’s house salad or Caesar salad.
I love sprinkling on some extra parmesan and chopped fresh parsley just before eating it!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. For optimal results, keep the sauce and pasta together.
- Reheating Method: Reheat gently in a sauté pan over medium heat, covered to retain moisture. Add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid the microwave as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
- Freezing is not recommended due to the dairy content, which can separate when the product is frozen and thawed.
Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes!
- Mushroom-Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Olive Garden Apple Sangria
- Restaurant Spinach Dip
- Olive Garden Zuppa Recipe
- Olive Garden Soups
- Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce
- Mozzarella Squares
- Venetian Chicken Recipe
- Fried Shrimp Scampi
- Baked Shrimp
More Shrimp Recipes
Be sure to take a look at more of my copycat seafood recipes and easy Italian recipes.
Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 12 ounces medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Pasta
- 12 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
Alfredo Sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces butter
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional
Instructions
Pasta Directions
- Salt water for pasta in a large pot, and bring to a boil.
- Cook pasta for the time recommended on the pasta.
Shrimp Directions
- Season shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- Saute shrimp by adding butter to a pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot add chopped garlic and saute for about 30 seconds.
- Saute shrimp on each side for about 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp should be pink.
Alfredo Sauce Directions
- Prepare the Alfredo sauce by combining the cream and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not let the mixture come to a boil, but heat until small bubbles begin to form.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk quickly. Add the garlic powder and continue to whisk.
Serving the Shirmp Alfredo
- Place cooked pasta into a large bowl. Add cooked shrimp and alfredo sauce. Toss together. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Do not allow the pasta to overcook. The residual heat in the pasta will help it finish cooking.
- Do not allow the shrimp to overcook; it will become rubbery. Wait until it is just pink.
- Do use a block of Parmesan cheese that you grate for best results.
- If your alfredo sauce is thin, add a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese to it to make it thicker.
I love it i made it just now my boyfriend loves it definitely doin more of ur recipes thank u
Made this for dinner last night. It was amazing. Thank you. I can’t wait to try your other copycats.
I am a 66 year old Sicilian Grandmom. I found you last year. As you can imagine I’m very picky about other people’s Italian recipes. This was just as great as my recipe and I even learned a few things. Bravo. Every recipe I’ve tried is a 5.Grazie for all your work that helps others find ways to save money by not going to a restaurant and paying a lot more. I’ll definitely keep cooking your copykats. Many blessings, Mama Robz.
Aww thank you!
Excellent. Made no changes to the recipe. Why mess with perfection!
Oh yes!!! I just cooked this and it was absolutely delicious!!!
I love this recipe and so do my kids. I just cooked it over the weekend and my son wants me to cook it again today.
Just made it. It is delicious. It makes alot too. I’m gonna freeze some for later.
Love your recipes can’t get enough of them thank you
*******
Thank you!
I have not had chance to try this shrimp alfredo from Olive Garden, thank you for sharing the recipe! I can’t wait to try it at home!
I made the alfredo sauce the recipe turned out so good
I love your website to saves a lot of money. Keep the recipes coming
I will do my best to keep the recipes coming!
Thank You!
From Texas and our HideOUT IN Maine!
Can’t wait to give this a try!