Description
Creamy Shrimp Penne Pasta combines tender shrimp, penne pasta, and a rich tomato cream sauce for an easy and comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Pat the shrimp dry. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same skillet, then sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly darkened.
- Add the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth. If needed, gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Add the cooked penne and toss until fully coated.
- Gently fold the shrimp back into the skillet and heat for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp; remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Add spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli for extra vegetables.
- Shrimp can be replaced with cooked chicken or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian-American