Creamy Shrimp Baked Pasta with Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A quick and comforting baked pasta loaded with tender shrimp in a rich cream sauce, topped with melted Parmesan cheese. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup, divided grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon, divided salt
• 1/2 teaspoon, divided black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 ounces penne pasta for 9 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and 1 cup heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
5. Step 5: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine and coat with sauce.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top and transfer the skillet to the oven.
7. Step 7: Bake for 15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven, garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese before serving.