Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
Succulent shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and fresh herbs served over tender zucchini noodles for a light and flavorful meal. This general-inspired quick meals (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Flip shrimp and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fully opaque and cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 spiralized medium zucchini noodles. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still slightly crisp.
- Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet with zucchini noodles. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Toss everything together for 1 minute until heated through and evenly combined. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Garlic and Herb Sautéed Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.