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Blackened Steak Shrimp Alfredo

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Savory top sirloin cubes and tender shrimp, coated with bold blackened seasoning, come together in a creamy Alfredo sauce—all served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. The steak and seafood are seared until golden, then layered onto a rich custom sauce of garlic, onion, freshly grated parmesan, and heavy cream. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this pasta dish brings vibrant Cajun flavors and a surf-and-turf twist to the classic Alfredo. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a special date night meal, it’s fast, impressive, and irresistibly delicious.

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Lili Clark smiling at the camera.
Created By Lili Clark
Updated on Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:09:47 GMT
A plate of food with shrimp and steak. Save
A plate of food with shrimp and steak. | lilicooks.com

Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo is a showstopper dinner that always gets rave reviews at my table. The combination of spiced shrimp and seared steak, nestled into creamy parmesan alfredo sauce and tossed with pasta, captures that indulgent steakhouse surf and turf flavor with a Cajun twist. This is a meal for when you want comfort and big flavors all in one bite.

I first made this recipe for date night at home and we both could not stop talking about how good it was. Now it is one of my favorite ways to impress family or guests.

Ingredients

  • Penne pasta: choose a sturdy pasta like penne that holds up well to the thick sauce and supports the toppings
  • Large shrimp: fresh or frozen and thawed peeled and deveined for convenience always check for freshness and a sweet ocean scent
  • Blackened seasoning: this gives the dish a bold and smoky kick try to use a Cajun style without fillers or too much salt
  • Vegetable oil: for quickly searing shrimp at high heat use a light neutral oil
  • Top sirloin steak: pick a marbled cut with good flavor and cut into bite sized cubes for even cooking
  • Unsalted butter: adds richness to the steak lets you control the saltiness
  • Yellow onion: minced for sweetness and depth fresh onions are best
  • Garlic: use fresh minced garlic for the boldest flavor
  • Heavy whipping cream: for the ultra creamy Alfredo you want a thick rich cream here
  • Parmesan cheese: always buy a wedge and grate it fresh it melts beautifully and delivers that nutty flavor
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: to season the sauce use fresh cracked pepper for extra aroma
  • Parsley: for garnish fresh parsley cuts through the richness and adds color

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and stir well so it does not stick together. Cook until al dente usually around ten to eleven minutes taste to confirm. When done reserve one cup of pasta water then drain and set the pasta aside. This water is liquid gold that helps thicken and marry the sauce later.
Blacken the Shrimp:
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels so they sear not steam. Season with blackened seasoning on all sides making sure every shrimp has a coating. Heat a wide skillet over medium and pour in oil. Wait until the oil is shimmering hot not smoking. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for about one to two minutes per side turning once when you see the edges turning pink and a golden crust forms. Do not crowd the pan. When just cooked transfer the shrimp to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Sear the Steak:
Without wiping out the skillet turn the heat up to high. Add the butter it should sizzle and foam. Once melted add the steak cubes in an even layer. Let them sear undisturbed for one to two minutes until a dark crust forms then flip for another minute. The goal is golden seared outside and still tender pink inside. Do not overcook. Move cooked steak to the plate with shrimp and keep them warm.
Make the Alfredo Sauce:
Lower skillet heat to medium. If needed add a bit more butter or oil. Stir in diced onions and cook slowly for about three to five minutes until translucent and soft scraping any browned bits from the pan for flavor. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant about thirty to sixty seconds. Pour in heavy cream and start with a quarter cup of reserved pasta water. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese blackened seasoning salt and pepper. Stir gently as the cheese melts and the sauce thickens about two to three minutes. Adjust with extra pasta water to get that silky consistency you want.
Combine Everything:
Add drained pasta into the skillet tossing to coat every piece in sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning add more pasta water if desired. Pile the shrimp and steak on top then sprinkle with fresh parsley for color. Serve immediately while steaming hot.
A bowl of food with shrimp and steak. Save
A bowl of food with shrimp and steak. | lilicooks.com

One bite of this creamy spicy alfredo and you will see why it is my steakhouse copycat favorite I always look forward to the shrimp especially they soak up the seasoning and add that perfect bite of ocean flavor This recipe reminds me of cozy gatherings where we pass the big pasta bowl around and no one leaves hungry

Storage Tips

I recommend storing sauce pasta steak and shrimp separately when possible. The sauce may thicken in the fridge so save extra pasta water to loosen when reheating. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and use within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or water to refresh.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find top sirloin ribeye or strip steak work as excellent alternatives. In place of shrimp try scallops or even chunks of cooked chicken breast for a different protein twist. If you need to avoid cream use half and half for lighter sauce though it will be less rich.

Serving Suggestions

This dish stands alone for a full dinner but I love to pair it with a bright baby arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. A simple garlic bread is outstanding for soaking up leftover sauce. For a festive meal serve with roasted vegetables or a crisp white wine.

A plate of food with shrimp and meat. Save
A plate of food with shrimp and meat. | lilicooks.com

Cultural or Historical Context

Blackening is a Southern cooking technique popularized by Cajun chefs to build bold flavor using spice blends and high heat. Alfredo sauce comes from Italian American roots where it is richer than classic Italian versions. The marriage of the two with surf and turf is comfort food innovation at its best.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of steak works best?

Top sirloin is ideal for tenderness and flavor, but ribeye or New York strip can be used for richer taste.

→ Can I use another type of pasta?

Penne holds sauce well, but fettuccine, linguine, or rotini also work for soaking up the creamy Alfredo.

→ Is homemade blackened seasoning necessary?

Store-bought works fine, but homemade seasoning lets you adjust heat and spice for personal preference.

→ How can I prevent overcooked shrimp?

Sear shrimp just until pink and opaque, about 1-2 minutes per side, then remove immediately from heat.

→ What garnishes pair well with this dish?

Fresh parsley or chives add color and brightness, while extra parmesan gives a salty finishing touch.

→ Can I prepare ahead of time?

Components can be cooked in advance, but sauce and pasta are best combined fresh for optimal texture.

Blackened Steak Shrimp Alfredo

Spicy steak and shrimp join creamy Alfredo sauce and pasta for a flavor-packed surf and turf dinner.

Preparation Time
20 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Overall Time
35 min
Created By: Lili Clark

Category: Dinner

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 4 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta

01 8 ounces penne pasta

→ Shrimp

02 1 pound large shrimp, raw, deveined, tail removed
03 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning
04 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Steak

05 1 pound top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
06 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning
07 ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter

→ Sauce

08 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
09 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
10 2 cups (476 g) heavy whipping cream
11 2 cups (200 g) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
12 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning
13 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
14 ½ teaspoon black pepper
15 parsley, chopped for garnish

Steps

Step 01

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add penne and cook al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water; drain the rest. Set aside.

Step 02

Season shrimp evenly with blackened seasoning. Heat oil in a 13-inch skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent to keep warm.

Step 03

Season steak evenly with blackened seasoning. Increase heat to high, add butter to the skillet, and allow it to start to melt. Add steak and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until browned outside and pink inside. Transfer to the plate with shrimp and tent to keep warm.

Step 04

Reduce heat to medium. Add onions to the skillet and cook until softened (3-5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, ¼ to ½ cup of pasta water, parmesan cheese, blackened seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 05

Add pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Top with cooked shrimp and steak. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Required Tools

  • Large pot
  • 13-inch skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Dairy (parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream)
  • Shellfish (shrimp)
  • Gluten (penne pasta)

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 1100
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: ~