This creamy shrimp and asparagus stir-fry is a quick and easy weeknight meal that's bursting with flavor. The shrimp is cooked to perfection in the air fryer, and the asparagus is tender-crisp. The creamy sauce is made with milk, Parmesan cheese, and flour, and it's thickened with a roux. The whole dish comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
This recipe was inspired by a dish I had at a Chinese restaurant a few years ago. I loved the combination of shrimp and asparagus, and the creamy sauce was to die for. I decided to try to recreate the dish at home, and after a few experiments, I came up with this recipe. It's not an exact replica of the restaurant dish, but it's pretty darn close, and it's a lot easier to make. I've made this dish many times since then, and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the air fryer at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Add the shrimp and asparagus to the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and the asparagus is tender.
Remove the shrimp and asparagus from the air fryer and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the air fryer and cook for 1 minute, or until softened.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute more.
Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Add the shrimp and asparagus back to the air fryer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Why It Works
The air fryer cooks the shrimp to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
The asparagus is cooked in the air fryer along with the shrimp, which saves time and energy.
The creamy sauce is made with a roux, which gives it a smooth and velvety texture.
The Parmesan cheese adds a rich and nutty flavor to the sauce.
The whole dish comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights.