Penne with Shrimp Asparagus and Parmesan

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Penne with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Parmesan, a creamy and satisfying pasta dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Tender penne is paired with succulent shrimp and crisp asparagus, all coated in a luxurious Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and a hint of lemon zest. This easy-to-make recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it as convenient as it is delicious. Finished with fresh parsley for a burst of freshness, this dish is a harmonious balance of rich and light flavors. Perfectly versatile, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings restaurant-quality dining straight to your table. Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a crisp green salad for an unforgettable meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 450 grams shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 300 grams asparagus
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the asparagus by trimming off the woody ends and cutting the spears into 2-inch pieces.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the asparagus to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still vibrant green.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to medium-low, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.

Step 8

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1737.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4413.6

Total Fat 235.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 124.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 1433.3mg	0%
Sodium 6931.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 319.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 6.0g
Protein 256.4g	0%

Vitamin D 804.7IU	0%
Calcium 2914.5mg	0%
Iron 23.4mg	0%
Potassium 2933.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 28.9%