One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach
Quick-cooked shrimp infused with garlic and lemon, finished with wilted spinach for a light, flavorful weeknight dinner. This seafood-inspired one pot ready in about 20 minutes pairs ounces, peeled and deveined shrimp, tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 ounces, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, juiced and zest lemon
- 2 cups, fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 ounces shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 lemon juice and 1 lemon zest, stirring to combine.
- Step 3: Return shrimp to skillet, add 2 cups fresh spinach, and toss until spinach wilts, about 1 minute. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach 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 One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach?
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 One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach?
Seafood 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
- ★★★★★
A new favorite! Served with rice and it was a complete meal.
- ★★★★★
Amazing how easy this dish turned out. The spinach wilted perfectly.
- ★★★★★
This was so quick and the lemon-garlic flavor was perfect! My family loved it.
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