This shrimp fettuccine dish is like a sultry song that seeps into your soul and warms you up all over. It's perfect for a date night in, or for any night ending in the letter "y."
I love pasta. I can't quit, won't quit pasta.
In college, my sorority sisters (my little liberal arts college sorority was NOT the typical large school kind of sorority, I feel compelled to explain here) entered me into a talent competition. My talent: eating a pound of pasta in one sitting.
I weighed less than 100 pounds at the time (don't freak out: I'm 4'11") and I loved to eat back then as much as I love to eat now. And pasta? Pasta was my soul food.
So I sat on that stage and ate a pound of pasta while the other acts went on in the middle of the stage next to me.
I tied for second place.
Because, come on: who in their right mind can (and would) eat a whole pound of pasta in one sitting? I can, and I DID.
Shrimp Fettuccine
So let's talk about this shrimp fettuccine pasta dish. It came about because I wanted to make penne alla vodka but didn't have penne and also, I don't do heavy whipping cream anymore.
But I had:
- fettuccine
- tomatoes
- vodka
- shrimp
And this luscious little deliciously devil of a dish is the result.
This shrimp fettuccine pasta comes together fairly quickly. So it's a great meal to make on a busy weeknight! But, it's also hearty and special enough to grace your big family Sunday supper table too.
Make the vodka sauce
To make the rich vodka sauce, you start by melting butter in a large saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until softened, which takes about 4-5 minutes.
Add tomatoes to the pot and stir. Slowly add the vodka, the milk or dairy-free milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir the sauce gently as you add each ingredient.
Bring the heat up to high and bring the water to a boil. Then lower heat to low-medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Shrimp Fettuccine Cooking Tips
Use canned stewed tomatoes for the sauce. Canned stewed tomatoes give this dish a nice rich, deep, simulated slow-cooked tomato flavor. If you use regular canned diced tomatoes, that would give this dish a brighter flavor.
Use frozen or fresh shrimp. I used frozen shrimp, which I thawed prior to including in this dish. But you can use raw shrimp as well; just be sure to adjust your cooking time as noted in the recipe.
Sub out the protein if you prefer. If you don't like shrimp, you can easily make this without and have it as a vegetarian pasta. As for chicken or pork, I honestly don't think it would be the same with any other meat. It might, however, be delicious with meatballs. If you try that, please do let me know how it tasted!
More 30-Minute Meal Recipes
Creamy Vegan Pasta with Crispy Mushrooms- One Pan New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp and Scallops
- Easy Shrimp Tacos
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles
Shrimp Fettuccine with Vodka Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ cups onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28- ounce can stewed tomatoes or 2 14.5 ounce cans
- ¼ cup vodka
- ½ cup 2%/lowfat/or skim milk - OR non-dairy milk of your choice I use almond milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 pound shrimp deveined, peeled
- Optional garnish: 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and/or freshly grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Begin to boil the pasta water in a large stockpot and cook according to package directions.
- Melt butter in a separate large pot over medium-high heat and saute the onions and garlic until softened, which takes about 4-5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes to the pot and stir. Slowly add the vodka, the milk or non-dairy milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring gently as you add each ingredient.
- Bring heat to high and bring the water to a boil, then lower heat to low-medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp to the sauce. If you are using raw shrimp, you'll need to cook it in the simmering pasta sauce for another 5-7 minutes, until it's just cooked. If you are using thawed, fully cooked shrimp, you'll just need to let it heat up and mix in with the sauce for about 3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently fold the pasta into sauce until it's nicely covered in sauce.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and/or freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
What type of pasta sauce do you prefer? Are you a white cream sauce kind of guy/gal? Or do you prefer to go big and bold with a red tomato-based sauce?
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Amrita says
Love vodka in any tomato based sauce!!! And love how this is so easily adaptable to a vegan recipe. Thanks for sharing bebs!
Mary Burris says
I love a good shrimp and noodle and this looks heavenly. Thanks for sharing!
Marye says
This looks amazing! I need to try it!
Alisa says
Now that is a graphic name, but I definitely know what you mean and appreciate a mild, meat-free version. Plus it looks great!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
Ah, the trappings of youth. LOL I can remember in junior high deciding I could take on the boys when it came to eating pizza. I think I also came in second, eating 9 slices in one setting. Ugh. But we all survive to eat again! And this lightened up version of a classic looks like a good reason to keep on eating pasta! :o)
Create/Enjoy says
Beautiful photos, and sounds like a great flavor combination!! I have been loving shrimp lately as a super fast, easy protein to cook!
I used to looooooove pasta too (and cereal and toast!) but I haven't eaten grains (except rice) since 2009 and I now have no feelings of longing or desire for pasta! =)
linda says
So very lovely! Pinned!
Pech says
My current favorite sauce is pesto for pasta, but I'm sure in a few months so I'll be loving the tomatoes and vodka tomato sauce is one of my trio that I love for tomatoes (the other being butter tomato, and arraibbiata!)
Madeline says
Oh man, this pasta looks SO good. and vodka tomato sauce?! Heavenly!
Catherine says
I am SO impressed with your talent. Seriously.
Also, my sister used to make vodka sauce, and we'd all gulp it down. I've never tried it myself. But as always, your recipes (and photos!) make me want to try it for myself!
Rachel says
Just discovered Cappello's grain-free fettuccine and bet it would be great in this recipe!
Loren says
YUM! This vodka sauce looks heavenly! Saving for later to make for the hubs! :)
xo Loren
http://www.thinkelysian.com
Klauss says
Well done!
The first time I hear about such a combination (vodka and pasta). It is very interesting to try. ¼ cup vodka is about 60 ml like :) Stolichnaya fit?
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
This is a gorgeous (and tasty) looking pasta dish! Plus who doesn't love vodka in their food.
jenni says
Best. Post. Ever. OMG. I could totally see you at 100 lbs eating a pound of pasta on stage. LOVE IT. The dish looks fantastic. I love seeing fettuccine paired with something other than Alfredo.
Julie says
Yum! You had me at vodka :)
Jenn says
This sounds so delicious. I love vodka sauce, and the funny thing is, I've never made it before. I will have to be trying this soon! Thanks for sharing.
Warren @ Blog to Taste says
I love pasta too! I was cackling at the thought of you eating a pound of pasta, that is impressive. Also I love vodka sauce, so delish!
Christine Anne says
Dang girl where did you put a pound of pasta at? haha That's some talent right there! I'm going to have to try this yummp recipe I love shrimp so much and all seafood for that matter. The pasta is the cherry on top! Yum! :)