Cooking Creamy Garlic Shrimp Penne: The Process

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente—usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, seasoning them lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant—be careful not to burn it. This step creates the aromatic foundation for your creamy sauce.
• Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and thicken the sauce. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up and achieve the perfect consistency.
• Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy garlic sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta and gently mix everything together. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed.
• Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a burst of color and flavor. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.