Shortcut Creamy Lemon Shrimp Alfredo

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 tsp lemon pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 shallot (small, finely chopped)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 6 oz parmesan cheese (grated, divided)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 0.5 tsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, season shrimp with lemon pepper.

5. 5

   Heat oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.

6. 6

   Add shrimp to skillet and cook for 2 minutes until just browned on one side.

7. 7

   Flip and cook for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove shrimp and set aside.

8. 8

   Add shallots to the same skillet and saute for 1 minute.

9. 9

   Add cream cheese and milk and cook, stirring constantly until cheese is melted.

10. 10

    Add garlic powder and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir in lemon juice and zest.

11. 11

    Add pasta and shrimp to the cream sauce and stir in as much pasta water as necessary to reach desired consistency.

12. 12

    Season with salt and pepper to taste.

13. 13

    Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Notes

Reserve the pasta water carefully; it is essential for thinning the cream cheese sauce to your preferred silkiness.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• shrimp
• seafood
• dinner
• quick
• weeknight
• creamy