Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta Bake

There’s something incredibly comforting about a bubbling dish of cheesy pasta fresh from the oven. The smell of buttery garlic, melted cheese, and warm Italian herbs filling the kitchen is enough to make everyone excited for dinner. And when you add tender, juicy shrimp and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce, you’ve got a meal that feels just as special as something you’d order at your favorite Italian restaurant. From verjrecipes.com .

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta Bake


Ingredients:

For the Seasoned Shrimp
• 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (if tolerated)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder (if tolerated)
• ½ teaspoon salt (if tolerated)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (if tolerated)

For the Pasta
• 12 ounces penne pasta
• Water, for boiling
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (if tolerated)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon onion powder (if tolerated)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (if tolerated)

For the Cheesy Topping
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (if tolerated)
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• A pinch of smoked paprika (optional, if tolerated)


Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or cooking spray. This helps prevent the pasta from sticking and makes serving much easier. Set the prepared dish aside while you get the other ingredients ready.


Step 2: Cook the Penne Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add the salt. Add the penne pasta and cook it for about 1–2 minutes less than the package directions recommend for al dente. You want the pasta to be slightly firm because it will continue cooking once it’s covered in sauce and baked in the oven.

Before draining, carefully reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water is a wonderful little kitchen trick. If your sauce becomes too thick later, a splash can help loosen it without watering down the flavor. Drain the pasta and set it aside.


Step 3: Season the Shrimp
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Removing extra moisture helps them develop a lovely golden color when they hit the hot skillet.

Place the shrimp in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything gently until the shrimp are evenly coated. The combination of smoky paprika, garlic, and herbs gives the shrimp a wonderful savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy Parmesan sauce.


Step 4: Give the Shrimp a Quick Sear
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for approximately 1 minute per side, just until the outside begins to turn pink and lightly golden. Don’t worry about cooking the shrimp completely at this stage. They’ll finish cooking in the oven. The goal is simply to develop a little color and bring out the flavor without overcooking them. Transfer the lightly seared shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.


Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Base
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt gently. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. As the garlic warms, it will release that wonderful buttery aroma that makes this dish so inviting. Be careful not to let the garlic turn dark or burn. You want it soft and fragrant, with a delicate golden color. This simple garlic butter base is what gives the sauce its rich, comforting flavor.


Step 6: Create the Creamy Alfredo-Style Sauce
Slowly pour the heavy cream and whole milk into the skillet, stirring gently to combine them with the garlic butter. Add the Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture simmer very gently for approximately 2–3 minutes. Avoid bringing the cream to a vigorous boil. Gentle heat helps keep the sauce smooth. The mixture will begin to warm through and develop a lovely garlic and herb aroma.


Step 7: Stir in the Parmesan Cheese
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously as the cheese melts into the warm cream. Take your time with this step. Adding the cheese little by little helps create a beautifully smooth sauce. As the Parmesan melts, the sauce becomes thicker, silkier, and wonderfully rich. You should end up with a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that lightly coats the back of a spoon. Freshly grated Parmesan is especially good here because it melts more smoothly and brings a lovely savory flavor.


Step 8: Coat the Pasta in the Creamy Sauce
Add the drained penne pasta directly to the skillet with the warm Parmesan sauce. Gently toss until every piece is coated. The sauce should settle into the little tubes of penne, ensuring that each forkful is creamy and full of flavor. If the mixture looks a little too thick, stir in a small splash of the reserved pasta cooking water. You want the sauce to remain slightly loose at this stage because the pasta will absorb some of the moisture during baking. Once everything is beautifully combined, you’re ready to assemble the dish.


Step 9: Transfer the Pasta to the Baking Dish
Spoon the creamy penne into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it into an even layer using the back of a spoon or spatula. Make sure to scrape any remaining garlic Parmesan sauce from the skillet over the pasta. You don’t want to leave any of that delicious creamy goodness behind! The pasta should look glossy and generously coated, creating the perfect base for the shrimp and cheese.


Step 10: Arrange the Shrimp
Carefully place the lightly seared shrimp over the pasta. Arrange them evenly across the surface so each serving will have a generous amount of seafood. You can gently nestle a few shrimp between the penne pieces while leaving others visible on top. This creates a beautiful presentation and allows the shrimp to absorb more of the creamy garlic flavor as the dish bakes. The pinkish shrimp against the pale Parmesan sauce already make the pasta look incredibly appetizing.


Step 11: Add the Cheesy Topping
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta and shrimp. Follow with the remaining grated Parmesan cheese. Dust the top with Italian seasoning and, if you like, a tiny pinch of smoked paprika. The mozzarella will melt into a soft, stretchy layer, while the Parmesan adds a slightly savory, golden finish. Try to distribute the cheese evenly so every portion gets some of that wonderful bubbly topping.


Step 12: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake uncovered for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is gently bubbling around the edges. The top should begin to develop a beautiful light golden color. Check that the shrimp are fully cooked before serving. They should be firm, pearly, and opaque, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Keep an eye on the dish during the final few minutes so the shrimp stay tender and the pasta remains creamy.


Step 13: Create a Beautiful Golden Cheese Crust
If you love a slightly more golden, bubbly cheese topping, you can finish the pasta under the broiler. Place the baking dish under the broiler for approximately 1–2 minutes, watching it carefully. The cheese should develop little golden spots while remaining soft and melted underneath. Broilers work quickly, so don’t walk away during this step. Once the topping reaches your desired color, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven.

Step 14: Let It Rest and Add Fresh Herbs
Allow the pasta bake to rest for about 3–5 minutes before serving. This short resting time helps the creamy sauce settle slightly, making the pasta easier to scoop. Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the melted cheese and golden shrimp. The bright green parsley creates a beautiful contrast with the creamy pasta and adds a welcome touch of freshness. For a little extra flavor, finish with a light sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or Parmesan cheese.


Step 15: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Using a large serving spoon, scoop generous portions of the creamy garlic Parmesan shrimp pasta onto warm plates or into shallow bowls. Try to include plenty of shrimp, penne, creamy sauce, and melted cheese in every serving. Serve immediately while the cheese is still soft and the sauce is warm and silky. A little extra Parmesan on top makes a lovely finishing touch. And if you’ve got some warm garlic bread nearby, you’ll have the perfect way to enjoy every last bit of that delicious sauce!