One-Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles
A vibrant, ready-in-15-min meal with plump shrimp seared in garlic-lemon butter, tossed with zucchini noodles for a light, refreshing dinner. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (low-carb, dairy-free) ready in about 22 minutes pairs large shrimp, zucchini, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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 oz large shrimp
- 3 medium zucchini
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz shrimp dry and season with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Spiralize 3 medium zucchinis into noodles and set aside. Mince 4 garlic cloves and zest 1 lemon.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and golden (do not brown).
- Step 5: Add zucchini noodles and 1 tsp lemon zest to the skillet; toss for 3 minutes until tender but still firm. Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice and cooked shrimp, then cook for 2 more minutes until heated through.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately while zucchini noodles are still crisp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 & 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 large shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & 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 One-Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles 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.
Is One-Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
