Creamy Shrimp Penne Pasta

This Creamy Shrimp Penne Pasta combines tender shrimp, al dente penne, and a silky, flavorful cream sauce — rich, comforting, and easy to make. It’s perfect for date nights, weeknight dinners, or whenever you want a satisfying, seafood-pasta dinner that feels a little special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Succulent shrimp + creamy sauce + pasta — a comforting, flavorful meal.
• Quick to make — ideal for weeknight dinners yet rich enough for a special occasion.
• Flexible: you can add veggies, herbs, spice or adjust creaminess as you like.
• Great for leftovers: reheats well (just add a splash of water/cream).
• Balanced — proteins, carbs, and creamy sauce for a hearty, complete meal.

Ingredients

• 300–350 g (≈ 10–12 oz) penne pasta (or pasta of your choice)
• Salt — for pasta water
• 300–350 g (≈ 0.75 lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined — medium or large
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (for shrimp)
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ small onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
• ½ cup chicken broth (or seafood broth) — optional, helps loosen sauce
• ½ to ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or more, to garnish)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional — brightens flavor)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional add-ins: a pinch of red pepper flakes, chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or peas

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add penne and cook until al dente (check package instructions).
• Reserve about ¼ cup pasta cooking water (in case you need to loosen sauce), then drain pasta and set aside.

2. Cook the Shrimp

• While pasta cooks, heat olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and sauté 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics

• In same skillet (reduce heat to medium), add a bit more oil or butter if needed.
• Add chopped onion (if using) and sauté until softened (~2–3 minutes).
• Add minced garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant — don’t let garlic burn.

4. Make the Cream Sauce

• Pour in heavy cream (and broth if using). Stir gently and bring to a low simmer.
• Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.

5. Combine Pasta, Shrimp & Sauce

• Return cooked shrimp to the skillet.
• Add the drained penne pasta. Toss everything carefully to coat pasta and shrimp evenly with creamy sauce.
• If sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or broth to loosen.
• Stir in lemon juice (if using) and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.

You Must Know

• Shrimp cooks quickly — overcooking makes it rubbery, so watch closely.
• Use medium heat when melting cream and cheese — too high and sauce can split or get grainy.
• Add pasta to sauce right after it’s drained — hot pasta helps sauce cling better.
• Save a bit of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.

Pro Tips & Variations

• Add vegetables — spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or peas — in step after sautéing garlic for extra color, nutrition, and flavor.
• For extra garlic flavor — add a pinch of garlic powder or extra fresh garlic.
• For a lighter creamy version — replace half the heavy cream with milk or use half-and-half.
• For more depth — add a splash of white wine before cream, then reduce before adding cream.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a bit of heat.
• Use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta for dietary preferences.

Serving & Storage

• Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
• Leftovers: store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days. Reheat gently over low heat; add a splash of cream or water to loosen sauce if it thickens.
• Avoid microwaving too long — creamy sauces may separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes — thaw completely, drain and pat dry before cooking.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can cook pasta and shrimp ahead and store separately. When ready — reheat sauce, combine everything and serve for best texture.

→ My sauce is grainy after adding cheese — why?
Likely sauce got too hot or cheese was added too quickly. Lower heat and stir gently.

→ Can I add more protein to it?
Yes — chicken strips, scallops, or even cooked bacon pieces can work for variation.

Print