Seafood Alfredo: A Luxurious Blend of Creamy Elegance and Ocean Delights
Few dishes evoke the sense of indulgence and sophistication quite like a well-prepared Seafood Alfredo. This culinary masterpiece combines the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce with the delicate flavors of tender shrimp and scallops, all embraced by a bed of perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. The resulting dish is not only luxurious but also surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for both special occasions and cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- Fettuccine Pasta: This flat, ribbon-like pasta is the ideal choice for Seafood Alfredo because it has a wide surface area that allows the creamy sauce to coat it perfectly. Fettuccine is a traditional choice for Alfredo dishes, as it provides a hearty bite without overpowering the other elements in the dish.
- Shrimp and Scallops: These two seafood options bring complementary textures to the dish. Shrimp, with its firm yet juicy bite, provides a slight sweetness, while scallops are delicate and buttery, adding an elegant flavor. When selecting your seafood, make sure to choose fresh shrimp and scallops that are sustainably sourced for the best flavor and quality.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and seafood, olive oil adds a mild, fruity richness that complements the other ingredients. It also helps create a non-stick surface for the seafood and garlic to cook evenly.
- Garlic: The garlic in this dish infuses the oil with an aromatic base that complements the richness of the Alfredo sauce. It adds a savory depth of flavor and fragrance, which elevates the overall profile of the dish.
- Heavy Cream: The star of the Alfredo sauce, heavy cream brings the sauce’s creamy consistency and richness. It’s what makes the sauce smooth and luxurious, enveloping the pasta and seafood in a velvety texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan is essential in making the sauce flavorful and rich. The nutty, salty, and umami flavors of Parmesan bring the sauce to life and help thicken the cream into a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like salt and black pepper are all that’s needed to enhance the flavors of the seafood and sauce. The optional addition of red pepper flakes adds a subtle heat that balances the richness of the cream and cheese.
- Fresh Parsley: A garnish of freshly chopped parsley adds color and a refreshing note to the dish. The herbaceous flavor of parsley provides a bright contrast to the richness of the sauce and seafood.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fettuccine
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. It’s important to add salt to the water, as it helps season the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the fettuccine and cook it according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes for al dente pasta. It’s important not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the sauce. Drain the pasta and set it aside. You can reserve a small amount of pasta water to thin the sauce later if necessary.
2. Sauté the Seafood
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute, just until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn, as garlic can turn bitter if overcooked. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the shrimp and scallops to the skillet. Cook the seafood for 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp turns pink and the scallops are opaque. Remove the seafood from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Make the Alfredo Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer gently. As the cream heats up, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Stir the mixture for about 3-4 minutes, until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce has thickened into a smooth, creamy texture.
4. Combine Pasta and Seafood with Sauce
Once the Alfredo sauce has reached the perfect consistency, return the cooked fettuccine and seafood to the skillet. Gently toss everything together, ensuring that the pasta and seafood are coated in the creamy sauce. This step is important because it allows the flavors to meld together and ensures that each bite is filled with the perfect balance of sauce and seafood.
5. Serve and Garnish
Transfer the Seafood Alfredo to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. The green parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh note that contrasts nicely with the richness of the dish. Serve immediately while the dish is warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose Fresh Seafood: For the best flavor, use fresh seafood, particularly shrimp and scallops. Fresh seafood has a natural sweetness that will elevate the dish. If you must use frozen seafood, make sure to thaw it properly and pat it dry before cooking.
- Don’t Overcook the Seafood: Seafood, especially shrimp and scallops, cooks quickly. Overcooking can lead to rubbery shrimp and tough scallops. Watch closely and remove the seafood from the skillet as soon as it’s done.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: For the best texture and flavor, always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated cheese. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the creaminess of the sauce.
- Pasta Water: If the Alfredo sauce becomes too thick after mixing with the pasta, you can add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. The starch in the water will help the sauce adhere to the pasta.