Skinny Shrimp Scampi Zucchini (Printable Version)

Light shrimp and zucchini noodles tossed in a garlicky lemon sauce for a fresh, healthy meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
03 - 2 cups baby spinach, optional
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, optional

→ Aromatics & Flavor

06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - Juice of 1 large lemon
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fats

11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, optional

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until just pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
03 - Lower heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
04 - Add the zucchini noodles and toss with tongs for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender but still slightly crisp. Do not overcook.
05 - Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and cherry tomatoes if using. Toss to combine.
06 - Return the shrimp to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Add baby spinach if using and toss until just wilted.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topped with optional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout, which means you can satisfy cravings without the guilt or the wait.
  • The lemon and garlic do all the heavy lifting for flavor, so you don't need cream or butter to make it taste incredible.
  • It's flexible enough to eat as-is or throw over rice, pasta, or regular noodles if you're feeding someone with different preferences.
02 -
  • Zucchini noodles will absolutely fall apart if you try to reheat them the next day, so make this only when you're ready to eat it immediately.
  • The shrimp cook so fast that the moment they turn pink, you need to pull them out or they'll become tiny and tough by the time everything else is done.
03 -
  • Buy shrimp that are frozen and thaw them yourself instead of buying pre-thawed ones from the case—they'll taste fresher and cook more evenly.
  • The lemon zest is worth the extra 30 seconds it takes to zest the lemon because it adds brightness without making the dish watery like extra juice would.
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