Lazy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick, low-carb dinner of tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served over fresh zucchini noodles tossed with lemon and parsley for a light yet flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove from skillet and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 5 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 medium spiralized zucchini noodles along with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss and cook for 2-3 minutes until noodles begin to soften but still have some bite.
  4. Step 4: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir in 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything together for 1 minute to combine and heat through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lazy Garlic Butter 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 Lazy Garlic Butter 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lazy Garlic Butter 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 Lazy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Lazy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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