Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
The combination of shrimp and noodles works beautifully here. The zucchini noodles soak up the garlicky butter sauce, while the shrimp adds a meaty, satisfying bite without weighing the dish down.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Spiralizer
- Tongs
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb 450g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Zucchini Noodles
- 4 medium zucchini spiralized
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This helps them sear nicely instead of steaming.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Pro tip: Let the shrimp sit for 5 minutes after seasoning. It helps the flavors stick and gives a slightly deeper taste when cooked.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Pro tip: Avoid overcooking! Shrimp cook very quickly, and overcooked shrimp can get rubbery.
Step 3: Prepare the Zucchini Noodles
- While the shrimp cooks, heat 1 tsp olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and a pinch of salt.
- Sauté for 2–3 minutes, tossing gently until they are slightly softened but still have a bit of crunch.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Pro tip: Don’t cook zucchini noodles too long—they release water quickly and can become soggy.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Pro tip: Whisk continuously to prevent the garlic from browning too much—it can turn bitter.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet.
- Gently toss in the zucchini noodles, making sure everything is coated with the garlic butter sauce.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and give it one final toss.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a little extra salt or a squeeze of lemon brightens it perfectly.
Notes
Nutritional Value (per serving):
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Protein: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~8g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Fat: ~18g
- Saturated Fat: ~8g
- Sodium: ~450mg
- Vitamin A: ~12% DV
- Vitamin C: ~35% DV
- Iron: ~15% DV