One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo
Introduction
For those craving an effortlessly elegant dinner, One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo delivers both luxury and convenience. Indulgent and satisfyingly rich, this meal comes together in just one pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions when you want to impress without a sink full of dishes. With succulent seafood and velvety cream sauce enveloping every bite, this recipe is sure to become a staple for comfort food lovers.
Why You’ll Love One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo
This recipe stands out thanks to its luscious Alfredo sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a medley of tender shrimp and sweet crab. The best part? Everything comes together in a single pot, infusing the seafood with the flavors of garlic, Parmesan, and herbs for a truly crowd-pleasing dish. It’s a savory, restaurant-quality Alfredo that proves you don’t need to compromise flavor for ease.
Mastering the Creamy Alfredo Sauce
The key to a standout Alfredo is timing and quality ingredients. Start by sautéing garlic in butter, then build your sauce with cream and Parmesan for that iconic creamy texture. Adding the seafood later ensures the shrimp remain juicy and the crab stays delicate. Using freshly grated Parmesan imparts a richer, meltier consistency for your sauce, coating every piece of pasta.
One Pot Ease: Cooking Pasta and Seafood Together
Cooking everything in one pot allows the pasta to absorb maximum flavor. As the noodles simmer, they soak up the essence of seafood and sauce—no draining required! Add the shrimp and crab in the final minutes, gently folding them into the thickening Alfredo for perfectly cooked, tender bites. This method simplifies the process and maximizes flavor.
Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Meal
Pair this decadent Alfredo with crisp steamed vegetables or a bright green salad to balance the richness. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a wedge of lemon highlight the seafood components even further. For occasions or family dinners, breadsticks or garlic bread make the meal even more memorable.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving offers approximately 525–600 calories, though exact values vary depending on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes. It’s a satisfying, protein-rich main course best enjoyed as a centerpiece for your dinner table.
One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo (Recap)
One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo combines the comforting creaminess of classic Alfredo with the sweet flavors of shellfish—all in one pan for an effortlessly sophisticated meal. It’s a dinner that impresses with both flavor and simplicity, ensuring it pleases a crowd every time.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
- Add uncooked pasta to the pot and pour in chicken or seafood broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered, stirring often, for 10–12 minutes (or until the pasta is just shy of al dente). If sauce thickens too quickly or pasta seems dry, add a splash of extra broth or cream.
- Stir in the shrimp, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Add the crab meat and gently fold into the sauce, being careful not to break up the lumps too much. Continue heating for 1–2 minutes until crab is warmed through.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley and a wedge of lemon.
Weekly Meal Planning
This One Pot Shrimp and Crab Alfredo is perfect for planning seafood nights or quick weeknight dinners. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to add it to your weekly meal plan and instantly create a smart shopping list that consolidates all ingredients—saving you time and preventing duplicate purchases.
Planning Benefits:
– Auto-calculates total ingredient amounts across multiple meals
– Organizes your grocery list by store section for quick, stress-free shopping
– Avoids overbuying and reduces food waste
– Lets you visualize your meal plan and ingredient overlap each week
Pro tip: Schedule your recipes and CookifyAI will dynamically adjust ingredient amounts if this dish shares components with your other meals, making meal prep smooth and budget-savvy.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes