This Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo is just as good as the restaurant favorite! A creamy and cheesy alfredo sauce is mixed with fettuccine pasta and shrimp.
The Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the most popular dishes, and it has come in various forms over the years with different mix ins. My favorite was their Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo which I made a copycat of (and have made into many different recipes), but all versions are delicious and difficult to replicate.
When I found a base recipe that was just as good or maybe better than the original, I knew I was in trouble and would want to make it frequently.
I love trying to replicate my restaurant favorites at home, and have posted many copycat recipes on this site for different restaurants. I do not post them unless I truly think they are very similar, so hopefully you love Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo as well!
You can find the Olive Garden copycat recipes specifically here.
The base of any classic alfredo sauce is cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Just a few seasonings like pepper make it special. And because it is so simple, it is also difficult to replicate!
The alfredo sauce does not hold over great, so leftovers are not as good as when it is fresh, but you can add a touch of water or fresh cream to it when reheating to help it along.Â
Olive Garden classically uses the small or extra small shrimp in this pasta. They are easy to find pre-cooked which means you can throw them in at the last second right when you are tossing everything together for them to heat through.
But feel free to use any sized shrimp. You can cook them in the sauce as needed before tossing.
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More Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
Copycat recipes from Olive Garden to enjoy at home! This Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo is one of the most popular recipes on the site every year! Now discontinued, make this favorite recipe at home. A fresh, vegan pasta recipe, this Copycat Olive Garden Capellini Pomodoro is packed with fresh tomatoes and basil. The popular Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup is made with sausage, potatoes, cream, and kale. The favorite Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo sauce recipe is maybe even better than the restaurant! The popular Copycat Olive Garden Tuscan Breeze Vodka Cocktail recipe is perfect for summer, packed with tropical flavors of orange, pineapple, and banana. This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi tastes JUST like the restaurant version! Tossed with a butter garlic sauce, peppers, and lightly breaded chicken.Copycat Olive Garden
Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo
Copycat Olive Garden Capellini Pomodoro
Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
Copycat Olive Garden Tuscan Breeze Vodka Cocktail
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine
- 1/4 pound unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan (see note)
- salt
- black pepper
- 1/2 pound extra small shrimp (or shrimp size of choice)(or more if preferred)
Instructions
- Start the water for the fettuccine pasta. Cook as per package directions until just shy of al dente (it will be added to the sauce later and will continue to cook). If the pasta is done too early, drain and set aside while reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid just in case the sauce is too thick.
- As the water is starting for the pasta, combine the butter and cream in a large pot or a wide skillet with tall edges (like the one in my picture). Heat over medium until the butter is melted into the cream.
- Turn heat down to medium low. Add the nutmeg to the cream and butter mixture. Whisk to combine.
- Add the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste (cheese is salty, so make sure you do not salt until after the Parmesan is added).
- Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water at a time to loosen the sauce (or cream). If too thin, let it cook a little longer.
- Remove from heat and add the shrimp. Serve immediately.
Just finished making and eating this yummy dish. My first ever scratch Alfredo sauce. I used angel hair pasta instead and followed the recipe. I did add a few shakes of garlic powder & Italian seasoning. This dish is a keeper!
It is so easy to follow and the author is taking the effort to remind us “before al dente”. Thank you for sharing this delicious and easy recipe!
Thank you, Vinnie! So glad you like it 🙂