Kieran Agard netted inside five minutes before Paul Downing added a second moments later, and Stephen Humphrys' late goal could not prevent Paul Hurst's Shrews from a second defeat in nine games.
MK's early lead came as Darren Potter's clever through-ball found George Baldock in acres of space alongside the Shrewsbury box, before the full-back's accurate cross reached Agard unmarked in the six-yard box to tap home his 12th goal of the campaign.
The hosts added a second when Leicester loanee Harvey Barnes was found unmarked inside the visitors' box after a clever corner-kick routine, before the youngster's cross through a crowded box found Downing at the far post to finish.
The visitors huffed and puffed as Jack Grimmer forced MK keeper David Martin into a decent save, before Humphrys snatched a late consolation goal from close range.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, MK Dons 2, Shrewsbury Town 1.
Second Half ends, MK Dons 2, Shrewsbury Town 1.
Attempt saved. Stuart O'Keefe (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt saved. Robbie Muirhead (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Nicky Maynard (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Foul by Shaun Whalley (Shrewsbury Town).
George B Williams (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Junior Brown (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Nicky Maynard (MK Dons).
Goal!  MK Dons 2, Shrewsbury Town 1. Stephen Humphrys (Shrewsbury Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Attempt saved. Stuart O'Keefe (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Foul by Shaun Whalley (Shrewsbury Town).
Kieran Agard (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ryan Yates (Shrewsbury Town).
Robbie Muirhead (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aristote Nsiala (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Paul Downing (MK Dons).
Gary Deegan (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Stuart O'Keefe (MK Dons).
Attempt missed. Harvey Barnes (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Ryan Yates (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Maecky Ngombo (MK Dons).
Jack Grimmer (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Nicky Maynard (MK Dons).
Louis Dodds (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Darren Potter (MK Dons).
Foul by Mat Sadler (Shrewsbury Town).
Nicky Maynard (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Louis Dodds (Shrewsbury Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner,  Shrewsbury Town. Conceded by Joe Walsh.
Attempt missed. Stephen Humphrys (Shrewsbury Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution, Shrewsbury Town. A-Jay Leitch-Smith replaces Alex Rodman.
Substitution, Shrewsbury Town. Louis Dodds replaces Freddie Ladapo.
Attempt saved. Ryan Yates (Shrewsbury Town) header from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
George B Williams (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Freddie Ladapo (Shrewsbury Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by George B Williams (MK Dons).
Attempt missed. Nicky Maynard (MK Dons) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Corner,  Shrewsbury Town. Conceded by George B Williams.
Foul by Maecky Ngombo (MK Dons).
What was that article about?
MK Dons scored twice in the opening 11 minutes to secure victory over struggling Shrewsbury and end their three-game winless run.