Delicious and light, this Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp is a less dense version of the classic pasta dish! This dish is easy to prepare and ready in just 30 minutes for the perfect meal any night of the week.
Dress it up with some Parmesan and garlic for a savory and flavorful pasta dinner. You'll love this delicious take on alfredo pasta without all of the extra calories!
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🩵 About This Recipe
I adore a classic pasta dish, but sometimes the sauces can be so heavy and fatty! That's why I've been loving this healthy Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp.
Because it doesn't use heavy cream, this shrimp pasta is coated in a low fat Alfredo sauce that's still just as tasty. You can even add some vegetables if you want extra nutrition!
Similar to my Shrimp Scampi without Wine and my Creamy Avocado Zoodles with Chipotle Lime Shrimp, this is a healthy and easy pasta dinner the whole family will adore.
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- fettucine - this is a great option for a nice creamy sauce, but you could also use something like spaghetti if you prefer.
- cream cheese wedges - I like the Laughing Cow brand. Their spreadable cheese wedges are perfectly savory and make a nice thick sauce.
- Parmesan cheese - gives your pasta a deliciously cheesy flavor!
- garlic powder - the only seasoning you need to infuse your pasta sauce with extra flavor.
- chicken broth - you could also use vegetable broth, but I like the richness that chicken broth adds.
- shrimp - I prefer to use fresh shrimp when I can, but you could also thaw some frozen shrimp.
🔪 Instructions
Cook Fettuccine
Boil a pot of water and cook your pasta to al dente according to the package directions.
Soften Cream Cheese
Place the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Mix until smooth.
Finish Sauce
To the softened cream cheese, add the Parmesan, garlic powder, and broth.
Cook Shrimp
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3 minutes.
Add Sauce
To the cooked shrimp, add your low fat Alfredo sauce and cook until heated through.
Toss in Pasta
Add the cooked pasta to the pot and toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
Whenever you make a pasta dish with a homemade sauce, save some of the pasta water just in case you need to thin the sauce or stretch it further!
❔ FAQs
Traditionally, Fettuccine Alfredo is fairly high in fat and calories. Alfredo sauce is a rich and savory sauce with lots of yummy flavor, but the downside is that it's not particularly good for you.
Regular Alfredo sauce is typically made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Some sauces also include other seasonings for flavor. This low fat Alfredo sauce uses cream cheese instead of the butter and cream for a healthier twist that's still rich and luscious.
Use freshly grated Parmesan and avoid overheating the sauce.
📝 Expert Tips and Tricks
- I prefer to cook my pasta to al dente, but feel free to cook it a little softer if you prefer.
- Save some pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed, or add some extra broth.
- Top with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or some green onions.
This homemade shrimp fettuccine is coated with a creamy and savory low fat Alfredo sauce for a quick meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or a sit down Sunday dinner!
⚙️ Substitutions and Variations
- Add more seasonings to the sauce like salt and pepper, paprika, or some red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- To make this dish even more nutritious, toss in some steamed broccoli, spinach, or asparagus with the pasta.
- You can also use classic cream cheese instead of the Laughing Cow wedges if you can't find them.
What readers are saying...
Absolutely delicious! Thanks!
- Vaunda
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Store your leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave for about a minute, then give it a stir and heat in 30-second increments until everything is heated through.
You can also transfer everything to a pot and heat over the stovetop. You may want to add some extra broth to prevent the pasta from drying out or burning.
I don't recommend freezing this dish--because the sauce is dairy based, the texture and flavor will be altered when you thaw it.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair your shrimp fettucine and low fat Alfredo sauce with a delicious side dish like Homemade Parmesan Dill Biscuits or this unique Chipotle Lime Edamame. I also love to pair it with broccoli, whether it's something simple like Air Fryer Broccoli or a bowl of Garlic Butter Microwave Broccoli!
😋 More Shrimp Recipes You'll Love
- Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Asparagus - Add a seafood flair to your next Taco Tuesday with these healthy tacos.
- White Wine Shrimp Pasta - Simple but satisfying, this 30 minute pasta dish is perfectly refreshing and flavorful.
- Shrimp Grilled Cheese - A fun twist on the classic hot sandwich that's great for a quick weeknight meal.
- 15+ Easy Shrimp Dinners
- Crab Stuffed Shrimp - This recipe from Ask Chef Dennis is an elegant and sophisticated seafood dish that's perfect to impress any crowd!
Fettuccine Alfredo without Cream
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📋 Recipe Card
Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fettuccine
- 8 wedges Laughing Cow Cream Cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 pound fresh shrimp (small)
- handful of parsley , chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, and set aside.10 ounces fettuccine
- Place the cream cheese wedges in a microwave-safe bowl, warm in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir in between, until melted.8 wedges Laughing Cow Cream Cheese
- Add the Parmesan cheese, garlic, and broth, and mix until combined. Set aside.¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- Pour a little olive oil into a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the shrimp and cook until almost done, about 3 minutes.1 pound fresh shrimp
- Add the sauce and stir, cooking about 1-2 more minutes until heated through.
- Add the pasta and toss to coat.
- Add the chopped parsley (if desired) and toss.handful of parsley
Notes
- You can substitute regular cream cheese for the Laughing Cow wedges, if you prefer.
- It's a good idea to reserve some of the pasta water to thin out the Alfredo sauce in case it becomes too thick. Alternatively, you could use some additional broth.
- Season with some salt and pepper if desired.
- Add a vegetable like steamed broccoli, asparagus, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2014, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in May 2024.
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Tina says
I love alfredo sauce with pasta and I so appreciate this lightened-up version. Will make it again!
Kristin King says
So glad to hear that! Thanks! 🙂
Jane W says
This was just as good as a restaurant! We had no leftovers. Thank you.
Anna says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Tayler says
I made this Alfredo with shrimp for dinner tonight and it was delicious! My kids and husband loved it!
Gianne says
The creamy sauce was perfectly balanced, not too heavy, and the shrimp added a wonderful burst of flavor. It's a fantastic dish for a cozy dinner, and I can't wait to make it again!
Neha says
I love how creamy and delish this pasta looks. I love to pair pasta with shrimp, so I can't wait to give your recipe a go!
Angela says
What a great way to use cheese spread wedges! We always have them in the fridge but have never used them as a sauce base! Turned out great and everyone loved the flavours. Thanks!