Step 1

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Step 2

While oven preheats, prepare penne to package instructions, reducing cook time by 1 minute. Drain pasta, cover, and set aside.

Step 3

In a 8x8 baking dish, add shrimp, melted butter, and parsley, then toss to coat. Arrange shrimp in an even layer along the bottom of the dish.

Step 4

Cook shrimp in the oven for 15 minutes.

Step 5

While shrimp cooks, pour heavy whipping cream into a large saucepan. Over medium heat, bring cream to a boil. Cook cream for 5 minutes, whisking constantly to avoid boiling over. Add 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Bring mixture to boil again, continuing to whisk, and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove saucepan from heat.

Step 6

Add cooked pasta to cream sauce, then toss to coat. If shrimp is still cooking, cover saucepan and set aside until shrimp is done.

Step 7

Once shrimp is done, remove baking dish from oven. Reduce oven temp to 350°F (TIP: prop oven door open for a few minutes to help it cool faster). Temporarily transfer shrimp + butter to a small bowl. Pour sauced pasta to the 8x8 baking dish, then add the shrimp + butter on top of the pasta. Finish off by sprinkling chopped cherry tomatoes, 2-4 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs on top.

Step 8

Bake pasta for 10-12 minutes or until cheese looks slightly melted and tomatoes are tender.

Step 9

Let Parmesan baked shrimp cool for 5 minutes.

Step 10

Serve as desired.