Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta
A vibrant one-pot pasta dish with succulent shrimp, roasted zucchini, and a tangy lemon-olive oil sauce. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, medium, diced zucchini, long grain pasta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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 shrimp
- 2 medium, diced zucchini
- 1 cup long grain pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 medium lemon
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 diced zucchini and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup long grain pasta and stir to coat. Pour in 2 cups boiling water, stir in 1/2 tsp black pepper, and season with 1 tsp salt. Cook for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: Toss 1 lb shrimp into the pot, stir to coat, and cook for 3 minutes until pink. Squeeze 1 lemon over the dish, stir in 1 tbsp chopped oregano, and adjust consistency with reserved pasta water.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta?
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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta?
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 Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta 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.
What goes well with Mediterranean Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta?
Mediterranean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
