Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

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You can make a tasty copycat version of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Alfredo at home. This creamy pasta dish combines tender shrimp, fettuccine noodles, and a rich Alfredo sauce. You’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in just 40 minutes.

The recipe is easy to follow. You’ll cook the pasta, sauté the shrimp with garlic and butter, and whip up a quick Alfredo sauce. Then you simply toss it all together and serve. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home or when you want to impress guests without too much fuss in the kitchen.

Exact Ingredients List

This copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo recipe uses simple ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store. Let’s break down what you’ll need for each part of the dish.

Shrimp

For the shrimp component, you’ll need:

• 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

Make sure to get fresh or thawed shrimp for the best taste. The salt and pepper will season the shrimp, while the butter and garlic add flavor when cooking.

Pasta

The pasta part is straightforward:

• 12 ounces dry fettuccine pasta

Fettuccine is the classic choice for Alfredo dishes. Its flat, wide shape helps the sauce cling to each noodle. You can use fresh pasta if you prefer, but dry pasta works great too.

Alfredo Sauce

For the creamy Alfredo sauce, gather these ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 ounces butter
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

The heavy cream and butter create a rich base. Fresh grated Parmesan cheese adds flavor and helps thicken the sauce. If you like extra garlic flavor, add the optional garlic powder.

Instructions

Making copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo is easy and quick. You’ll cook the pasta, prepare the shrimp, make the sauce, and combine everything. Let’s go through each step.

1. If your shrimp is not peeled and deveined, peel and devein the shrimp.
2. Start the pasta water to boil.
3. Make the Alfredo sauce by melting the butter and cream together.
4. When the butter and cream are melted, add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese melts. Reduce the temperature to low.
5. Drop your pasta into the boiling water and cook the shrimp.
6. Season shrimp with salt and black pepper. 
7. 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. 
8. Saute shrimp on each side for about 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp should be pink.  

9. When the pasta is done, drain it, and toss it into the Alfredo sauce.
10. Serve the alfredo pasta topped with the cooked shrimp.

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily change up this Olive Garden copycat recipe to suit your tastes. Try using chicken instead of shrimp for a classic chicken alfredo. Or mix in some cooked broccoli or peas for added veggies.

For the pasta, you can swap fettuccine for penne, linguine, or even zucchini noodles if you want a low-carb option. The sauce works well with any pasta shape.

Here are some easy substitutes for the sauce ingredients:

• Half-and-half instead of heavy cream (for a lighter version)
• Margarine in place of butter
• Romano or Asiago cheese instead of Parmesan

To add more flavor, try mixing in some sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or sautéed mushrooms. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives a nice kick too.

For a seafood twist, use a mix of shrimp and scallops. Or make it vegetarian by leaving out the shrimp and adding extra veggies.

Remember to adjust cooking times if you change up the protein. Chicken will take longer to cook than shrimp.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best shrimp Alfredo, use fresh ingredients. Pick shrimp that smell clean and have firm, shiny shells. Grate your own Parmesan cheese for a smoother sauce.

Don’t overcook the pasta. Aim for al dente – it should have a slight bite. This keeps the noodles from getting mushy when mixed with the sauce.

When making the Alfredo sauce, keep stirring. This prevents clumping and helps create a silky texture. If it gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water to thin it out.

To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Put it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a bit of milk or cream to revive the sauce.

For extra flavor, try adding some fresh herbs like basil or parsley. A squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten up the dish.

Remember to taste as you go and adjust seasoning if needed. Your perfect shrimp Alfredo is just a few tweaks away!