Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my policy page!
Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinner with this delectable Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe. Featuring succulent shrimp and creamy Alfredo sauce, this dish offers a comforting yet sophisticated twist to your pasta nights, making it a surefire hit for the whole family. Gluten-free + Dairy-free option.
I'm absolutely hooked on shrimp lately, and this Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta is my latest obsession. I whip it up with my homemade Alfredo sauce for that extra creamy, delicious touch. And, of course, a sprinkle of Parmesan on top because, let's be honest, it's my weakness! Haha.
Bucatini isn't your average pasta—it's got a hole in the middle, which is so fun tp eat! Try it out in my Simple Walnut Pesto Bucatini Pasta, Lemon Herb Roasted Chickpeas + Bucatini, and Date Night Roasted Garlic Parmesan Bucatini. But don't worry if you don't have it, any pasta works here!
Elevate your weeknight dinners effortlessly while maximizing flavor. This pasta recipe is the epitome of comfort food with simple steps + endless personalization options. You can swap in gluten-free pasta or make the whole dish dairy-free! Ready in just 30 minutes, it's comfort in a bowl, with succulent, juicy shrimp stealing the show!
Jump to:
- What is Bucatini Pasta?
- Why You Will Totally LOVE Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- How to Cook Bucatini Pasta
- Ingredients In Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- What Type Of Shirmp Is Best?
- Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
- Do You Eat The Skin/Tails On Shrimp?
- Delicious Additions to Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- Topping Ideas for Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta With?
- Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
- Common Q + A's For Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- More Deliciously Good Pasta Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
What is Bucatini Pasta?
If you haven’t heard of bucatini pasta or used it, you’re totally missing out! Bucatini pasta has by far become one of my favorite pasta to use (next to rigatoni and pappardelle). This pasta is thicker than spaghetti and has a hollow center running through it, which allows it to “hold up” well in saucy dishes—in my opinion.
It is of course derived from Italy and made of durum wheat flour. Because it is so similar to spaghetti, it’s usually a great substitute for any dish that calls for it. It’s usually readily available as dried pasta and can be stored longer than if you were to purchase it fresh.
Why You Will Totally LOVE Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
- SO creamy, garlicky + oh-so-delicious!
- Loaded with succulent juicy shrimp!
- Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick date night pasta--- ready in 30 minutes!
- A definite crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
- Loaded with cheesy flavors, velvety + spoonfuls of savory flavors.
How to Cook Bucatini Pasta
Like with many other types of pasta, you bring a pot of water to a boil, add the dried bucatini pasta along with olive oil or salt, and let it boil for 8-12 minutes, depending on the packaging and brand. As always, it’s best to cook your pasta to al’ dente so that it’s not too soft for the sauce when stirring it in.
Ingredients In Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
SHRIMP:
- Shrimp. Wild-caught jumbo or colossal shrimp, deveined.
- Unsalted butter. For cooking. For dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
- Herbs + Seasonings. Sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder + dried parsley.
CREAMY PASTA:
- Bucatini pasta. I like to use organic and a high-quality brand! If you can't find Bucatini, you can sub with Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine or Pappardelle.
- Alfredo sauce. I like to use my own homemade alfredo sauce recipe, but if you are in a pinch a jar of premade sauce works!
GARNISH:
- Freshly-grated parmesan. Adds such a nice cheesy topping.
- Fresh parsley or dill. Chopped and sprinkled atop.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PASTA DISH!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
What Type Of Shirmp Is Best?
When selecting shrimp for this recipe, I suggest going for jumbo or large shrimp. These sizes strike a balance between being substantial enough to provide a satisfying bite and not too overwhelming.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
Yes! While it may sound counterintuitive, using frozen and thawed, shrimp can actually be advantageous. Opting for frozen shrimp allows you to have more control over the quality and timing of your meal preparation. It's like having a secret stash of deliciousness in your freezer, ready to be transformed into a scrumptious meal whenever you desire an easy weeknight dinner.
Do You Eat The Skin/Tails On Shrimp?
Yes, you can if desired! The shrimp shells/tails are cooked until tender and are infused with seasonings and spice, which make it truly easy and delicious to eat as a whole. Of course, if preferred, you can always remove the shells.
Delicious Additions to Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
Although this Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe is amazing on its own, if you feel like adding a little extra flare, here are some ideas -
VEGGIE
- Roasted chickpeas for added crunch and protein
- Grilled eggplant or zucchini slices
- Marinated artichokes
- Kale or other greens!
- Steamed broccoli florets for added greenery
MEAT
If you make this more than once and want to try something other than shrimp then you can spruce things up by adding -
- Grilled or shredded chicken (See my Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe)
- Blackened chicken
- Sliced Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- Chopped bacon, or pancetta
- Lobster or salmon (Try my Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta)
- Pan seared steak
Topping Ideas for Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
For extra flavor, color, and texture for this pasta recipe, you can try:
- Dollops of Pesto Sauce
- Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
- Homemade croutons
- Sliced jalapeños for a bit more heat
- Roasted pumpkin seeds for texture
- Crispy sage leaves
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta With?
Here's the thing. This Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the hollow shape is ideal for soaking up the + buttery + garlicky creamy sauce and the juicy shrimp just take it to the next level! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
But if you're anything like me (A huge bread lover.. Haha), then I recommend enjoying some crusty bread on the side. I make my own homemade Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread and Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread -- and they are an amazing vessel for scooping up every last drop of saucy goodness.
If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad, Fall Harvest Apple Kale Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy date night dinner beautifully.
Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
I chose to make this dish with Bucatini pasta. However, if you can't find them or don't have any on hand, here are some other great options to consider-
I love using Bucatini pasta because it does a beautiful job of embracing and holding onto the sauce and the texture is just fun to eat! But any of these pasta varieties would work for this dish -
- Spaghetti
- Perciatelli
- Fettucini
- Rigatoni
- Shells
- Penne
- Paccheri
- Orecchiette
- Spirals
- Ravioli + gnocchi would also go wonderfully with this sauce combo!
Common Q + A's For Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. See Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe for option!
To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free pasta and ensure that the cream (see sauce recipe) and stock are GF-friendly.
To re-heat, simply microwave for a minute or two or add to a skillet over medium-high heat and stir until heated through. You may need to add ¼-½ cup of veggie stock or heavy cream to make things creamy while reheating.
More Deliciously Good Pasta Recipes
If you are a fan of this Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe, then you will also love these recipes:
- Creamy Tuscan Lobster Pasta
- Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
- Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta
- Lemon Brown Butter Pasta
- Weeknight Tomato Kale Ravioli Bake
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
- Vegan Bolognese Pasta
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta
Ingredients
SHRIMP:
- 1-2 lbs. wild-caught jumbo or colossal shrimp, deveined
- 2 Tbsps unsalted butter, for cooking
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
CREAMY PASTA:
- 1 (16 oz.) package bucatini pasta
- 1 Homemade Alfredo Sauce
GARNISH:
- Freshly-grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
Instructions
BOIL THE PASTA:
- Cook pasta according to packaging. NOTE: bucatini pasta doesn’t take a long time to cook, usually 10-12 minutes. NOTE: I always add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking together.
SAUTE/SEAR THE SHRIMP:
- In a bowl, add the shrimp and the seasonings: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and parsley, stirring to combine until shrimp are coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to marinate.
- In a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsps of butter until melted. Add in the seasoned shrimp and cook on both sides (about 3-4 minutes), until pink and cooked through. Set aside unto a plate.
TO MAKE THE ALFREDO SAUCE:
- To make the sauce---follow my Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe. Once made, let the sauce continue to simmer and add in the cooked + drained bucatini pasta and shrimp, tossing until sauce fully coats + sticks to both the shrimp + pasta. Serve immediately and garnish with additional parmesan and/or fresh chopped parsley or dill, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- PASTA: You can use long pastas like Pappardelle, Tagliatelle, Fettuccine, etc. however, I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. Otherwise, other pastas such as Penne, Rigatoni, Paccheri, Orecchiette, etc. are perfect.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as kale, spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
- GLUTEN-FREE: To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free pasta and ensure that the cream (see sauce recipe) and stock are GF-friendly.
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. See Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe for option!
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!