Creamy pasta nights hit different when shrimp and bacon are invited. This Shrimp Alfredo takes everything people love about a classic carbonara and folds it into a rich, silky shrimp alfredo sauce that clings to every strand of pasta without feeling heavy or greasy.

Instead of choosing between carbonara with shrimp or a traditional alfredo, this recipe quietly steals the best parts of both. You get smoky bacon, juicy shrimp, and a sauce that feels indulgent but still balanced enough that you actually want a second bowl.

Top view of Carbonara inspired Bacon Shrimp Alfredo in a pan - 1
  • What Makes This Recipe Work
  • What Goes Into Shrimp Alfredo
  • Add-Ins And Swaps (If You’re Feeling Extra)
  • How To Make Shrimp Alfredo
  • Pro Tips From My Kitchen To Yours
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • Carbonara Shrimp Alfredo Recipe

What Makes This Recipe Work

This recipe is built for maximum payoff with minimal fuss.

  • Bacon-forward flavour base: Rendering the bacon first gives you a built-in layer of smoky depth that seasons the shrimp and the sauce without needing extra fat or salt later.
  • Silky, not stodgy sauce: The shrimp alfredo sauce is creamy and rich but never gluey, thanks to controlled heat and pasta water working behind the scenes.
  • Carbonara energy, Alfredo comfort: You get that savoury carbonara-style richness from bacon and cheese, paired with the lush creaminess people expect from Shrimp Alfredo.

What Goes Into Shrimp Alfredo

Flat lay of ingredient shot of olive oil, bacon, onion, half and half, shrimp, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, fresh parsley - 2

This Shrimp Alfredo combines juicy shrimp, crispy bacon, and a rich parmesan cream for a quick, flavorful meal. You get all the indulgence of shrimp alfredo sauce with the comfort of carbonara with shrimp.

  • Bacon: Diced and pan-fried until crispy for a savory, smoky base.
  • Shrimp: Fresh or frozen, tails on or off, bringing a sweet and tender bite.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates the silky, luscious sauce; you can also use half and half or evaporated milk.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for maximum flavor and creamy texture.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Add-Ins And Swaps (If You’re Feeling Extra)

Want to switch things up without breaking the recipe? These work beautifully and are not already in the base dish.

  • Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy note that pairs insanely well with bacon and shrimp.
  • Spinach Or Kale: Stir in a handful right at the end for a pop of colour and freshness.
  • Chilli Crisp Or Chilli Oil: For heat lovers who want more than just peppery warmth.
  • Pancetta Instead Of Bacon: Slightly milder but still rich if you want a more classic carbonara vibe.

How To Make Shrimp Alfredo

Fry the bacon until crispy in pan - 3
  1. Crisp the Bacon : Heat oil over medium high heat and fry bacon until crispy. Drain off excess fat, leaving about 1 teaspoon.
Add the onion and garlic into the pan. - 4
  1. Sauté the Aromatics : Add the onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is transparent, about 1 minute.
Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute. Stir occasionally. - 5
  1. Cook the Shrimp : Reduce the heat to low and add the shrimp. Cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the half & half and add the parmesan cheese and simmer. - 6
  1. Build the Sauce : Pour in the half and half or cream and add the parmesan. Bring to a gentle simmer for 1 minute.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until the parmesan melts. - 7
  1. Season and Thicken : Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the parmesan melts, the shrimp are cooked through, and the sauce slightly thickens.
Stir in the parsley and and salt and pepper if needed. - 8
  1. Finish and Serve : Stir in the parsley, adjusting salt and pepper if needed. Serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles.

Enjoy this Shrimp Alfredo with Caprese Garlic Bread for an ultra-indulgent pairing. Add a lighter side like Skinny Lemon Garlic Shrimp Caesar Salad for freshness and crunch. For a hearty, flavor-packed option, serve it with Hasselback Herbed Garlic Butter Sweet Potatoes to round out the meal.

Pro Tips From My Kitchen To Yours

  • Use low heat once the cream goes in. High heat can split the sauce and ruin the texture.
  • Always reserve pasta water. It helps loosen the sauce without thinning the flavour.
  • Season at the end. Bacon and parmesan already bring salt, so taste first.
  • Pull shrimp early. They finish cooking in the sauce and stay tender.

Alfredo uses a cream and parmesan base, while carbonara with shrimp traditionally includes egg yolks for richness. This recipe blends the two styles but keeps it egg free.

Cook them over low to medium heat and remove them as soon as they turn pink to avoid a rubbery texture.

Absolutely. Just thaw and pat them dry before cooking so they sear nicely and don’t water down the sauce.

Zoom in shot of Carbonara inspired Shrimp Alfredo with bacon - 9 Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan - 10

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IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x

  • ▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ▢ 4 oz bacon diced
  • ▢ 1 small onion
  • ▢ 6 cloves garlic minced
  • ▢ 1 pound shrimp tails on or off
  • ▢ 1 1/4 cups heavy cream half and half or evaporated milk
  • ▢ 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
  • ▢ 1 pinch salt to taste
  • ▢ 1 pinch pepper to taste
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat oil a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the bacon until crispy. Drain off some excess fat, keeping about 1 teaspoons worth in the pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until onion is transparent (about 1 minute).
  • Reduce heat to low. Add shrimp and let cook for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in half and half (or cream) and add in parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 1 minute. Season with a little salt and pepper to your taste and let cook until the parmesan cheese has melted, the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  • Top with parsley, taste test sauce and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Serve over pasta, rice, steamed veg, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Carbonara Bacon Shrimp Alfredo in a bowl with spoon - 11

Carbonara Shrimp Alfredo

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 oz bacon diced
  • 1 small onion
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound shrimp tails on or off
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream half and half or evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 1 pinch pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat oil a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the bacon until crispy. Drain off some excess fat, keeping about 1 teaspoons worth in the pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until onion is transparent (about 1 minute).
  • Reduce heat to low. Add shrimp and let cook for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in half and half (or cream) and add in parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 1 minute. Season with a little salt and pepper to your taste and let cook until the parmesan cheese has melted, the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  • Top with parsley, taste test sauce and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Serve over pasta, rice, steamed veg, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Notes

Nutrition

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