Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
A fast and light skillet dish where juicy shrimp are cooked with fresh garlic, tender spinach, and sweet cherry tomatoes in under 15 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 15 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, 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 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 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Thinly slice 3 garlic cloves and add to the skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes over the shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 4 cups fresh baby spinach to the skillet. Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spinach 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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