Last Updated on September 29, 2023
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is one of the most beloved casual dining restaurants, with a commitment to providing guests with hearty Italian-American comfort food.
One of their signature dishes is the classic Fettuccine Weesie, a creamy pasta dish. It’s the perfect option for those looking to indulge in a rich and flavorful meal that doesn’t take too long to make.
Now you can have a taste of this Carrabba’s classic right at home with our easy-to-follow guide! We’ve included all the ingredients and step-by-step instructions so you can recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen.
What is Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie?
Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie is a classic Italian-American dish from Carrabba’s Italian Grill that combines fettuccine pasta, shrimp, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce.
The dish is named after the restaurant’s original owner, John “Weesie” Levis. The dish features al dente fettuccine pasta swimming in a creamy parmesan sauce.
It is topped with succulent shrimp and mushrooms, as well as onions, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. The dish is finished with some lemon zest.
Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie is creamy, comforting, and perfect for a special occasion or just a cozy night in. Try making this delicious dish at home – you won’t be disappointed!
What does it taste like?
Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie is a delicious and indulgent dish that hits all the right notes. It starts off with al dente fettuccine pasta cooked in salted boiling water, which serves as the base for the rest of the ingredients.
Next comes a sauté of aromatics – mushrooms, garlic, scallions, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. This adds a boost of flavor to the dish. The shrimp is then added and cooked until it’s just starting to turn pink.
Heavy cream and parmesan cheese are also added which gives the sauce its rich flavor and creamy texture. Finally, lemon zest and juice are added for tartness that complements the other flavors.
All of these ingredients work together to create a dish that is both comforting and delicious. The creamy sauce clings to the fettuccine perfectly, giving you a bite full of flavor in every forkful.
The shrimp adds an extra layer of texture while the mushrooms provide some earthy flavor – and with added seasonings like red pepper flakes and lemon zest, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.
You’ll also like the following Dinner recipes!
How did I first get introduced to the Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie?
My first introduction to Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie was during a visit to the iconic Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Houston, Texas. As soon as I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to give it a try.
The dish arrived at my table with its creamy sauce glistening in the light, and I couldn’t wait to have a bite.
The first thing that struck me was how delicious it was – the combination of fettuccine pasta, shrimp, mushrooms, and creamy sauce was truly delightful.
The sauce had just the right consistency – thick enough to cling to the pasta but still light enough to ensure each bite was full of flavor. The mushrooms and shrimp added some texture while the lemon zest provided a nice tartness that balanced out the richness of the sauce.
After my first taste, I knew I had to try to recreate it at home so I could enjoy this dish anytime. Thankfully, it isn’t too difficult to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients.
I started researching recipes and eventually developed my own version of Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie that I make at home for special occasions or just to indulge in on a cozy night.
The dish always turns out delicious and it’s the perfect way to enjoy some Italian-American comfort food. With just a few simple steps, you can recreate this restaurant favorite right at home.
How to make Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie?
Making Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie at home is not only easy but also incredibly rewarding. All you need are a few simple ingredients and you can recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a delicious meal in no time.
Ingredients
- Fettuccine Pasta: This is the base of your dish, so you want to make sure it’s cooked al dente.
- Olive Oil: This helps to sauté the aromatics and create a creamy sauce.
- Unsalted Butter: adds flavor and richness without overpowering the other ingredients in the dish.
- Shrimp: provides a hearty protein that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
- Mushrooms: adds some earthy flavor and texture to the dish.
- Scallions: adds a nice mild onion flavor and color to the dish.
- Garlic Cloves: brings out all of the other flavors in the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese: gives an umami quality that ties everything together in the sauce.
- Onion Powder: adds an extra layer of onion flavor without additional texture.
- Garlic Powder: adds an extra layer of garlic flavor without additional texture.
- Salt and Pepper: to taste, these two seasonings really make the dish come alive!
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Give a nice heat that is balanced by the creamy sauce.
- Heavy Cream: makes the sauce super rich and delicious.
- Reserved Pasta Water: helps to create a silky smooth sauce that clings to the fettuccine pasta nicely.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Add a nice tart flavor that complements all of the other ingredients perfectly.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Cook the Fettuccine
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the fettuccine pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
Step 2
Sauté the Aromatics
- In a large sauté pan, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat until it just begins to shimmer.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until they start to brown.
- Next add the scallions, garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and then cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3
Add the Shrimp and Cream
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 3 minutes, or until they just start to turn pink.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water. Stir everything together.
- Simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add the cooked fettuccine pasta and stir everything together.
- Turn off the heat and add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Step 4
Serve
- Topped with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly so that the shrimp don’t become overcooked.
- You can also substitute other pasta shapes for fettuccine – such as linguine, penne, or shells.
- For a creamier sauce, add an extra 1/4 cup of heavy cream.
- If you want to kick up the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes to your liking.
- You can also substitute Parmesan cheese for other types of cheese if desired. Try using mozzarella for a more classic Italian flavor.
- To make the sauce even richer, add a touch of cream cheese before adding the Parmesan cheese.
- For an extra protein boost, you can add cooked chicken or diced ham to this dish.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie?
Here are a few delicious sides that pair perfectly with this dish:
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus
- Freshly steamed green beans
- A simple side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers
- Garlic bread for dipping in the extra sauce
- Crispy roasted potatoes for some added crunch.
How to store leftover Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie?
If you have leftovers of this dish, they will be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pasta in a pan on medium-low heat and stir until heated through.
You may need to add a splash of water or stock to loosen up the sauce that has thickened from refrigeration. If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can also freeze the cooked pasta for up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream until heated through.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can enjoy this dish in moderation. Pregnant women should always check with their doctor before eating restaurant favorites such as Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie due to food safety concerns.
The dish is made with relatively low-risk ingredients and no raw egg or meat, so it is generally safe for pregnant women who are not at high risk for foodborne illnesses to enjoy.
Pregnant women should take extra precautions when it comes to items like Parmesan cheese, which can contain listeria, a bacteria that is particularly dangerous during pregnancy.
Pregnant women should make sure to only use freshly grated or pre-grated Parmesan cheese with no additives such as powder or preservatives. Additionally, pregnant women should always make sure that the shrimp is cooked through before consuming.
Equipment
- Large pot
- saute pan
Ingredients
- 12 oz Fettuccine Pasta
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 6 tsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 lb Large Shrimp
- 8 oz White Mushrooms
- 3 Scallions
- 2 Garlic Cloves Chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water
- 1 Large Lemon Zest and Juice
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the fettuccine pasta. Cook until al dente (approximately 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
- Heat up olive oil and butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until it just starts to shimmer. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, or until they start to brown. Then add the scallions, garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and then cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 3 minutes, or until they just start to turn pink. Lower the heat to low and add in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Add the cooked fettuccine pasta and stir everything together before turning off the heat. Lastly, toss in some lemon zest, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Serve the Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie topped with extra parmesan cheese (optional).
Notes
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly so that the shrimp don’t become overcooked.
- You can also substitute other pasta shapes for fettuccine – such as linguine, penne, or shells.
- For a creamier sauce, add an extra 1/4 cup of heavy cream.
- If you want to kick up the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes to your liking.
- You can also substitute Parmesan cheese for other types of cheese if desired. Try using mozzarella for a more classic Italian flavor.
- To make the sauce even richer, add a touch of cream cheese before adding the Parmesan cheese.
- For an extra protein boost, you can add cooked chicken or diced ham to this dish.
Nutrition
FAQs
Can I make this dish vegan or vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegan or vegetarian. Simply omit the shrimp and replace the butter and heavy cream with vegan margarine and coconut cream. You can also substitute the Parmesan cheese for a plant-based parmesan cheese alternative.
What type of pasta should I use for this dish?
Fettuccine is the traditional pasta used in Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie, but you can use other types of noodles such as linguine or penne. The key is to make sure that the noodles are cooked al dente before adding them to the sauce.
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Yes, you can easily customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or kale. Simply sauté the vegetables in the same pan before adding the shrimp and cream.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for reading our guide to making Carrabba’s Fettuccine Weesie! We hope you enjoyed this simple yet delicious recipe and that you give it a try at home soon.
This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or just when you’re craving some Italian-inspired comfort food. With its silky sauce and flavorful shrimp, this dish will have you coming back for more.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family who love Italian food!
You’ll also like these latest recipes!
Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more
