What’s the secret to a restaurant-quality dinner at home? This spicy blackened steak and shrimp alfredo recipe is a game-changer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, featuring tender shrimp and rich homemade alfredo sauce. Save this idea for a family favorite meal that’s sure to impress, try it soon and enjoy the flavors of a perfectly cooked blackened steak. Pin for later

Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo

Introduction

Imagine a dish that combines the richness of alfredo sauce, the succulence of shrimp, and the boldness of blackened steak, all in one mouthwatering recipe. The Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo is a culinary masterpiece that achieves this perfect blend, using everyday ingredients and requiring minimal effort for a dish that’s sure to impress. This recipe is all about ease, flavor, and creativity, making it perfect for a quick dinner party or a cozy night in with the family. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make and requires ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of spicy blackened steak, succulent shrimp, and creamy alfredo sauce creates a flavor profile that’s both balanced and exciting. Plus, the ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets, making this dish accessible to anyone.
• Ease of preparation: Despite its impressive presentation and complex flavors, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare. With a few basic cooking techniques and some smart shortcuts, you can have this dish on the table in no time.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: The key to this recipe’s success lies in its ability to deliver impressive, restaurant-quality results with minimal fuss. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you’ll be amazed at how easily this dish comes together.

Key Ingredients

The Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo relies on a few key ingredients to achieve its signature flavor and texture. These include high-quality steak (such as ribeye or strip loin), fresh shrimp, fettuccine pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and a blend of spices for the blackening seasoning. For the blackening seasoning, you can use a store-bought mix or create your own using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme. If you’re looking for substitutions, you can swap out the heavy cream for half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative, and use different types of cheese or pasta to suit your taste.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by prepping your ingredients. Chop the parsley, measure out the spices, and slice the steak into thin strips. Peel and de-vein the shrimp, and cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Step 2: Cook the steak and shrimp. In a large skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the steak and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside to rest. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they’re pink and fully cooked.
3. Step 3: Make the alfredo sauce. In a large saucepan, melt a couple of tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add a clove of minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Sprinkle in a cup of grated parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted and smooth. Pour in a cup of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it’s thickened and creamy. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
4. Step 4: Assemble the dish. Add the cooked fettuccine pasta to the alfredo sauce and toss until it’s well coated. Slice the blackened steak into thin strips and add it to the pasta, along with the cooked shrimp. Toss everything together until it’s well combined, then season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of parsley.

Handy Tips

• When cooking the steak, make sure to not overcrowd the skillet. Cook the steak in batches if necessary, to ensure it has enough room to cook evenly.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp. They should be pink and fully cooked, but still tender and juicy.
• When making the alfredo sauce, be careful not to let it boil. This can cause the sauce to break and separate, resulting in an unpleasant texture.

Heat Control

Heat control is crucial when cooking the Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo. When cooking the steak, you want to get a nice sear on the outside, which requires high heat. However, when making the alfredo sauce, you want to keep the heat low and gentle, to prevent the sauce from breaking. As for the shrimp, they should be cooked over medium-high heat, to get a nice pink color and tender texture. The ideal internal temperature for the steak is 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, and 155°F for medium-well. The shrimp are cooked through when they’re pink and opaque, with an internal temperature of 120°F.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in this dish comes from the blackened seasoning on the steak, which adds a nice textural element to the dish. You can also add some crunchy toppings, such as chopped parsley or toasted breadcrumbs, to give the dish some extra texture. To achieve the perfect crunch, make sure to not overcook the steak, and cook the shrimp until they’re just pink and tender. You can also add some crunchy vegetables, such as bell peppers or carrots, to the dish to give it some extra texture and flavor.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• Use a cast-iron skillet to cook the steak, as it retains heat well and can achieve a nice sear.
• Don’t stir the alfredo sauce too much, as this can cause it to break and separate. Instead, let it simmer gently and stir it occasionally, until it’s thickened and creamy.
• Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak and shrimp, to ensure they’re cooked to a safe temperature.

Storage Tips

• Store the cooked pasta, steak, and shrimp in separate containers in the fridge, to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
• Reheat the dish gently, over low heat, to prevent the sauce from breaking and the pasta from becoming mushy.
• Freeze the cooked pasta, steak, and shrimp for up to 2 months, and reheat them gently when you’re ready to serve.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you want to give the Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo as a gift, you can package it in a nice container, such as a glass jar or a microwave-safe container. Add some decorative touches, such as a sprinkle of parsley or a few slices of lemon, to make the dish look appealing. You can also include a side of garlic bread or a green salad, to make the gift more substantial. Consider adding a gift tag or a card, with the recipe and cooking instructions, to make the gift more personal and thoughtful.

Flavor Variations

• Try adding some different spices to the blackening seasoning, such as cumin or coriander, to give the dish a unique flavor.
• Add some creative toppings, such as diced tomatoes or sliced avocado, to give the dish some extra flavor and texture.
• Swap out the heavy cream for a non-dairy alternative, such as almond milk or soy cream, to make the dish vegan-friendly.

Troubleshooting

• If the sauce breaks and separates, try whisking it gently over low heat, until it’s smooth and creamy again.
• If the steak is overcooked, try slicing it thinly and serving it with a sauce or gravy, to make it more tender and palatable.
• If the shrimp are undercooked, try cooking them for a few more minutes, until they’re pink and fully cooked.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze the cooked pasta, steak, and shrimp for up to 2 months, and reheat them gently when you’re ready to serve.
• Is it gluten-free? No, the Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo contains gluten, due to the presence of pasta and wheat-based spices. However, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and spices.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to feed a larger crowd, just make sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Spicy Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo is a dish that’s sure to impress, with its bold flavors and impressive presentation. With its ease of preparation, minimal ingredients, and flexibility, this recipe is perfect for anyone looking to add some excitement to their meal routine. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this dish is sure to become a favorite, and with its many variations and substitutions, you can make it your own and enjoy it for years to come. So go ahead, give it a try, and experience the magic of this culinary masterpiece for yourself!