Creamy Pesto Shrimp Alfredo with parmesan cheese and blistered tomatoes is the shrimp recipe of your dreams!
Ready in less than 10 minutes, gluten free AND low carb! Alfredo-style Creamy Pesto Shrimp Alfredo is a winner with the whole family. Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice (OR pasta if you’re not watching your carb intake)! The sauce is EVERYTHING.
How To Make Shrimp Alfredo
Some Alfredo sauce recipes usually start with a roux, and some are based on butter/heavy cream. For the sake of keeping this recipe low carb and delicious, I went the butter/cream option, mixed with a homemade basil pesto and parmesan cheese. We added in blistered grape tomatoes to add even more flavour to the sauce, but you can leave them out if you wish!
This recipe is so easy it has only three steps to it:
- Cook shrimp
- Add sauce ingredients
- Thicken
With the right quantity of each ingredient, you end up with a beautiful silky creamy pesto sauce perfect for serving over anything, really.
Low carb Alfredo
For the low carb option, serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or any steamed veggies you have on hand. You could also use Konjac noodles!
Pasta Alfredo
Pasta of choice is linguine and fettuccini. You can also serve with penne, spaghetti, or any other pasta you like.
How do you make shrimp Alfredo pasta?
Add 2 cups cooked pasta along with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water into the sauce. Gently mix the sauce through until combined. Add in the shrimp and serve immediately.
What can I use instead of heavy cream for Alfredo sauce?
The recipe includes half and half, which is an American product made from equal parts light cream and milk. Substitute with half light cream and half 2% milk (or full fat if not worried about calories and fat counts). Alternatively, use all light cream or thickened cream.
Love Creamy Shrimp? Try These!
Creamy Pesto Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound (500 g) jumbo shrimp (or prawns), tails on or off
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces (120g) grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream* SEE NOTES
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute until shrimp starts to change colour and garlic is fragrant.
- Reduce heat to low-medium heat. Add pesto, half & half (or heavy cream) and half of the parmesan cheese. Mix and scrape any bits off of the bottom of the pan.
- Gently simmer for a further minute or two until shrimp is cooked, the sauce thickens slightly and the cheese has melted through. Sprinkle with parsley or basil and remaining parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, steamed veg, zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Rena says
I don’t want to add the half and half, but want just the pesto part. Will that still work out?
Karina says
Yes that should be fine
Holly says
This is dish turned out fantastic. My entire family said it tasted like restaurant quality food. Thank you!
JoEllen says
Third time making this today! By far one of my favorite recipes. Easy and taste amazing. Thanks for sharing another great recipe
Miss A. says
Made this tonight, super easy, quick and delicious. Used frozen cooked shrimp, made the homemade pesto, and served over riced cauliflower. It was a huge hit. Will make again in a heartbeat:)
Brenda says
This was so easy. And tasty. Skipped the tomatoes and served over riced cauliflower for an easy, low carb, keto meal. Making it with chicken next!! Yum!!
Amanda says
We made this last night and had it with linguine. It was delicious! Easy enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for company. Used some frozen shrimp we already had plus cherry tomatoes from our garden! Will definitely add it to the rotation!
Heidi says
Can you use frozen cooked shrimp?
Karina says
Yes, that works great!
Clio says
This was SO good. We really enjoyed it. It was so easy and fast too. This is going into the regular rotation!
Karina says
YAY! That is perfect and just what I love to hear! Thank you for sharing! XO
Jane says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was WONDERFUL! I was a little concerned since pesto is not anything we have ever eaten before but both my husband and I absolutely loved it. It was very fast and easy with a lovely fresh and creamy sauce. and low carb to boot! We also tried Konjac pasta for the first time and loved it too. I have tried several of your recipes and all have been a success.
Angela says
Thank you for another restaurant quality recipe. I made this for dinner last night and my husband said it is his new favorite meal. He is now requesting it for his birthday dinner.
Karina says
YAY!! That is a bonus when the husband loves it! So glad that it turned out well for you! Thanks so much for sharing!
Mignone says
Thanks for the appetising recipe ideas. I love cooking. It helps me to relax and forget my every day worries.
NL says
I feel silly asking (because I’m almost certain I’m missing the obvious), but where are the “Pin it” icons on this recipe? I can’t seem to find a way to Pin this to my favorites…