Stewart Drummond netted with a glancing header just after the half-hour to give Shrewsbury a thoroughly deserved lead, and David Hunt put the issue beyond any doubt when he struck a second for the home side midway through the second half.
In truth the scoreline flattered the visitors who were unable to manage a worthwhile effort on goal during the entire match, with Shrews goalkeeper Glyn Garner a virtual spectator for long periods of the afternoon.
After a bright start to the season when they were among the League Two pacesetters, Shrewsbury have slid into the bottom half of the table with confidence understandably low - but they were buoyed by the return of influential midfielder Ben Davies, who started his first game since the second-leg play-off victory over MK Dons in May.
In fact it was Davies who managed the first significant shot on goal, although his angled drive flashed over the bar.
On the quarter-hour Shrewsbury appeared destined to take the lead but, without a defender in sight, Drummond shot at straight at Macclesfield keeper Jonny Brain from close range.
In the 33rd minute he made amends, nodding home his third goal of the season from Hunt's long throw into the penalty area.
Shrewsbury continued to press, with central defender Colin Murdock heading just over from a Davies free-kick, while the second half began in similar fashion as Davies twice tested Brain.
The Macc keeper was left stranded in the 65th minute when Hunt drilled home Shrewsbury's second with a low 18-yard shot.
Top scorer Dave Hibbert missed an opportunity in the closing moments to end his eight-match goal famine when he side-footed wide, as Shrewsbury ended the game in complete command.