Skinny Shrimp Scampi Zucchini (Printer-friendly)

Tender shrimp and zucchini noodles tossed in a garlicky lemon sauce for a light, flavorful meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb 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 and 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, or additional olive oil for dairy-free

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

# Directions:

01 - Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black 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. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
04 - Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and toss with tongs for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender but still slightly crisp. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushiness.
05 - Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and cherry tomatoes if using. Toss all ingredients to combine evenly.
06 - Return cooked shrimp and accumulated juices to the skillet. Add baby spinach if using and toss until just wilted.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately with optional Parmesan cheese on top.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 25 minutes flat, which makes weeknight cooking feel less like a chore and more like a win.
  • The shrimp stays buttery tender while the zucchini noodles keep everything light and satisfying without that heavy pasta feeling.
  • One pan means one pan to wash, and honestly, that alone might be reason enough to make this again tomorrow.
02 -
  • Overcooking zucchini noodles by even a minute transforms them from pleasant and tender into a watery mess, so stop cooking them before your instincts tell you it's time.
  • If you're spiralizing fresh zucchini, let the noodles sit in a colander for a few minutes after spiralizing and they'll release some of their water before cooking, which actually helps prevent sogginess later.
03 -
  • Buy shrimp that's already peeled and deveined unless you genuinely enjoy that prep work, because life's too short and your time is valuable.
  • Keep your skillet on high heat when searing the shrimp and don't crowd the pan—if you have to stack them, work in batches, because shrimp that touches is shrimp that steams instead of sears.
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