Seashells Pasta with Spicy Alfredo Sauce
Indulge in the creamy, spicy delight of Seashells Pasta with Spicy Alfredo Sauce—an irresistible twist on classic comfort food! Medium-sized seashell pasta serves as the perfect canvas for a velvety Alfredo sauce, expertly crafted with rich heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan, and a fragrant sauté of minced garlic. A bold kick of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper elevates this dish, delivering a tantalizing heat that perfectly balances the buttery smoothness of the sauce. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of herbal brightness, this restaurant-quality dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it a weeknight favorite or an impressive option for dinner guests. Perfectly creamy, flavorfully spicy, and wholly satisfying—this pasta recipe is guaranteed to become a staple in your repertoire!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz seashell pasta (medium size)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1.25 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the seashell pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the skillet. Stir until melted.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Let it heat gently for 2-3 minutes, making sure not to let it boil.
Add the Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring constantly to melt it into the sauce.
Mix in the red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Once the pasta is thoroughly coated and heated through, remove the skillet from heat.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 270.8 g | 347% | |
| Saturated Fat | 156.7 g | 783% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 721 mg | 240% | |
| Sodium | 7015 mg | 305% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 266.0 g | 97% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.7 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g | ||
| Protein | 157.0 g | 314% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3382 mg | 260% | |
| Iron | 5.8 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 1024 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
