Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Casserole
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Casserole
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Casserole combines fettuccine, peeled shrimp, alfredo sauce in a creamy oven-baked dish with a warm, generous filling. It is a practical way to bring the main components of dinner together in one baking dish.
The key is to prepare the components before assembly, then bake just long enough to heat the center and finish the topping. The amounts below make approximately 6 servings. Oven times are a guide: the depth of the dish and whether the filling starts warm or chilled affect the final cooking time.
Recipe overview
- Servings: approximately 6
- Preparation: about 20–25 minutes, plus any separate cooking or thawing
- Oven temperature: 375°F
- Equipment: 9-by-13-inch baking dish, mixing bowl, pasta pot and skillet or saucepan
Ingredients
- Fettuccine — 12 oz dry
- Peeled shrimp — 1 lb, peeled and deveined
- Alfredo sauce — 2 cups
- Garlic — 3 cloves, minced
- Butter — 3 tablespoons
- Mozzarella cheese — 1 1/2 cups, shredded or thinly sliced
- Parmesan — 1/2 cup, grated
- Fresh parsley — 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Salt, to taste after adding sauces and cheese
Preparation notes
Cook the pasta in boiling water until 1–2 minutes short of the package’s full cooking time, then drain. It will finish in the oven. Keep a little pasta water to loosen the filling if it looks dry.
Directions
Use drained, just-under-al-dente pasta in the assembly steps below.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente.
- In a skillet, sauté the shrimp in a mix of garlic and butter until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked fettuccine, sautéed shrimp, and alfredo sauce, tossing everything together until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top it with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, and enjoy the creamy goodness!
Continue baking as necessary until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for a better bake
- Warm dairy gently and stir until smooth. Hard boiling can separate a creamy sauce. Add a splash of milk or pasta water if it becomes too thick to coat the filling.
- Keep the pasta slightly firm before baking and reserve some cheese for the topping. The sauce should coat the pasta generously, since noodles absorb more moisture in the oven.
What to serve with it
Pair the bake with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables. Serve from both the edge and the center so every portion includes some of the topping and the saucy filling.
Make-ahead and leftovers
For easier assembly, prepare the components ahead and refrigerate promptly in covered containers. Assemble when ready to bake. A chilled dish needs additional oven time; cover loosely at first if the topping colors before the center heats. Creamy fillings thicken as they cool, so loosen an individual portion with a small splash of milk or water before warming. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until hot throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the cheese?
Choose another cheese with a similar melting texture, keeping the total amount about the same. Use hard grating cheese for flavor rather than replacing all of the softer melting cheese.
How can I prevent a dry filling?
Do not overcook the components before assembly. Slightly undercooked pasta and a generous coating of sauce are especially helpful. Stop baking once the filling is hot and the topping is ready, then allow a short rest before serving.
Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz Fettuccine Dry
- 1 lb Peeled shrimp Peeled and deveined
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese Shredded or thinly sliced
- 0.5 cups Parmesan Grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley Chopped
- Salt To taste after adding sauces and cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente.
- In a skillet, sauté the shrimp in a mix of garlic and butter until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked fettuccine, sautéed shrimp, and alfredo sauce, tossing everything together until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top it with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
Cooking
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
- Continue baking as necessary until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, and enjoy the creamy goodness!
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
