This Shrimp Alfredo recipe has the best homemade sauce that’s easy to make and serve with pasta. You’ll think it came from a restaurant!.
These days I’ve been enjoying adding more shrimp recipes to my collection. Classic Shrimp Alfredo is one of my favorites. (With a buttery panko topping that’s truly amazing!).
The mix of Parmesan and Asiago cheese in this recipe, along with the perfect amount of seasoning, makes it delicious. I like to add some fresh lemon juice at the end to give it a nice touch. It makes the shrimp taste even better.
Before you start, you should “mise en place” or measure out the ingredients because this one goes really, really fast. It’s definitely a 30 minute meal that you’ll want to keep on hand!.
Please read my professional cooking tips for shrimp below, as well as my professional cooking tips for making the smoothest, tastiest alfredo sauce ever!
As a busy mom trying to juggle work, kids’ activities, and running a household, having quick and easy dinner solutions ready in my fridge is a lifesaver on hectic weeknights. Shrimp alfredo is one of my regular rotation – it comes together fast, it’s budget-friendly, and my family devours it.
But with our schedules we don’t always finish up the entire batched meal in one night. Which leads to the question – how can I safely store and reheat those shrimp alfredo leftovers to avoid waste and keep my family healthy?
I did some digging on the ideal refrigerator shelf life for leftover shrimp alfredo, along with tips for reheating and preventing spoilage. Here is what I learned about maximizing the freshness and shelf life of shrimp alfredo leftovers.
How Long Does Shrimp Alfredo Last Refrigerated?
According to food safety experts, properly stored shrimp alfredo can safely be kept refrigerated for 3 to 4 days after cooking.
The alfredo sauce contains dairy products like heavy cream or cheese which can spoil quickly at room temperature. Refrigeration is key for preventing bacterial growth.
I recommend storing leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of finishing your meal. The flavor and texture will start to degrade over time, so try to eat it within a couple days if possible.
Quick Summary:
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Store shrimp alfredo leftovers within 2 hours of cooking
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Keeps for 3-4 days maximum in the fridge
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Eat within 2 days for best flavor and texture
Freeze for Long-Term Storage
If you know you won’t finish up your shrimp pasta within 3-4 days, consider stashing it in the freezer. Frozen leftover alfredo can keep for 2-3 months.
Be sure to use freezer-safe storage bags or containers. Allow the dish to cool completely before freezing, then thaw in the fridge when ready to reheat and enjoy.
The flavor and texture will decline the longer it’s frozen, so try to eat within 1 month if you can. But freezing definitely beats throwing leftovers away!
Quick Summary:
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Cool shrimp alfredo completely before freezing
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Store in airtight freezer bags or containers
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Keeps for 2-3 months frozen; optimal taste within 1 month
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
Signs Your Leftovers Have Spoiled
I always adhere to the 3-4 day timeframe for eating or freezing leftovers. But it’s still smart to check for signs of spoilage before reheating and eating your shrimp alfredo.
Look for:
- Sour, unpleasant smell
- Change in color or texture
- Mold growth
- Slime formation
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s safest to toss the leftovers even if they are within the 3-4 day window. Don’t risk eating spoiled food.
Quick Summary:
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Discard if you detect a sour smell, mold, slime, or other signs of spoilage
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When in doubt, throw it out!
Tips for Proper Storage
To help shrimp alfredo leftovers last as long as possible, be diligent about correct storage:
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Let the dish cool completely before refrigerating
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Use airtight containers or resealable plastic bags
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Store in fridge within 2 hours after cooking
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Use oldest leftovers first
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Keep fridge temp at 40°F or below
Proper chilling and an airtight seal are the keys to preventing bacteria growth and extending the leftovers’ shelf life.
Quick Summary:
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Cool completely before refrigerating
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Use airtight containers or bags
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
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Eat oldest leftovers first
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Maintain fridge temp at or below 40°F
Safe Ways to Reheat Your Leftovers
One you’ve determined your shrimp alfredo leftovers are still fresh and safe to eat, you can revive them with simple reheating. Here are some safe options:
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Microwave: Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between each one.
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Stovetop: Gently reheat on the stove over low, stirring frequently.
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Oven: Bake at 400°F for 5-10 minutes if refrigerated; 15-20 minutes if frozen.
Bring the temperature up to 165°F throughout. Don’t reheat more than once.
Quick Summary:
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Microwave, stovetop, or oven reheat to 165°F
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Stir/check often for even heating
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Only reheat once
Food Safety for Special Groups
While properly handled shrimp alfredo leftovers are generally safe for 3-4 days, I take extra care when reheating it for certain family members.
I adhere to a shorter 2-day maximum refrigeration window for:
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Elderly relatives
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Pregnant women
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Children under age 5
Their immune systems are more vulnerable to bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella. I also reheat their portions to a piping hot 165°F for added protection.
Quick Summary:
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Only keep 2 days max for high-risk groups
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F
With some diligence on proper storage, handling and reheating, you can safely enjoy your leftover shrimp alfredo for several days without waste. Just remember – when in doubt, throw it out!
How to Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Toast the panko breadcrumbs in butter and garlic powder until brown. Set aside.
Sauté the shrimp in olive oil for about 1 minute + 20 seconds per side, set aside.
Boil the fettuccine according to package instructions while you prepare the sauce.
Melt butter in the same pan that you used to cook the shrimp. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
Add the seasonings and half and half in splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in the grated cheese. Taste, and season with salt/pepper if desired.
Reserve some pasta water for the sauce to control the consistency if needed. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. Add the cooked shrimp and toss, heat through for 1 minute. Remove from heat and squeeze a little lemon on top. Garnish with red pepper flakes, parsley, and toasted panko. Serve with lemon wedges!.
Pro Tips for Shrimp
- The size I use is big and says “26/30 per pound” on it. This means that 26 to 30 shrimp are needed to make one pound. ) You can use fresh or frozen.
- Take frozen shrimp and run them under cool water until they are completely thawed. Then pat them dry. You may also need to remove the shells/veins.
- Shrimp Seasoning: Before being frozen, shrimp are usually put in a brine. The brine in the frozen container is also usually salted, so you don’t need to salt the shrimp before cooking them.
- Shrimp can quickly go from cooked to overcooked. To keep it from happening, set a timer. If you peel them after sautéing them, that might help. I find that the shell keeps them from cooking too quickly.
- Shrimp curled into a “c” =cooked. A shrimp curled into an “o” = overcooked.
- Place in a container that doesn’t let air in. Put in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.
- Before cooking, Alfredo sauce that has been frozen should be left in the fridge overnight to thaw.
- I like to use a makeshift double boiler to reheat leftovers and get them back to the way they were before.
- You can thin out the sauce by adding a little of the pasta water, milk, or chicken broth that you saved.
How To Make Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta – 30 Minute Meal
FAQ
How long can you keep shrimp alfredo in the refrigerator?
Can you eat cooked shrimp after 5 days?
How long does cooked shrimp pasta last in the fridge?
How long is leftover seafood pasta good for?
How long does cooked shrimp last?
Cooked shrimp lasts for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. When reheating leftover shrimp, it’s best to use a low temperature to avoid the rubbery texture shrimp can get when overcooked. Alternatively, enjoy leftover cooked shrimp cold or at room temperature, depending on how it was prepared.
How long can you keep thawed shrimp in the fridge?
You can keep raw shrimp in the fridge for about two days and cooked shrimp for up to four days. Ensure the shrimp is stored in an airtight container, or it’ll go bad even faster. Is Thawed Shrimp Safe to Eat After 4 Days?
How long can you keep cooked shrimp in the freezer?
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cooked shrimp should be refrigerated within 2 hours of being cooked. It’s best to store it in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, which is usually on the bottom shelves. There are two simple ways to thaw frozen shrimp:
What to do with leftover shrimp Alfredo?
Pair shrimp Alfredo with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish. You can also serve it with a side of garlic bread or steamed vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli, for added texture and flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.