Boil the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they pop up to the surface.
Reserve and Drain: Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the gnocchi and set aside.
Sear the Shrimp: In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil. Sauté the shrimp until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Veggies: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and asparagus. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and tender-crisp.
Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let simmer.
Combine and Thicken: Add the reserved pasta water, cooked gnocchi, and the sautéed shrimp back into the pan.
Final Simmer: Stir everything together and cook until the sauce thickens and perfectly coats the gnocchi. Serve immediately.