Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes
Bright and fresh sautéed shrimp in a lemon-garlic sauce served over zucchini noodles tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes for a light, low-carb dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) 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 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. 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, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 medium spiralized zucchini noodles and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until zucchini softens but remains slightly firm.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet, add 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and toss everything together for 1 minute until heated through.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomatoes 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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