Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter served over fresh zucchini noodles for a light low-carb dinner. This general-inspired low carb (low carb) ready in about 18 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, 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 3, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 3 General cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to create noodles from 3 medium zucchinis. Set aside on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
  2. Step 2: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Step 3: Mince 5 garlic cloves and add to the butter; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, season with 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque.
  5. Step 5: Flip shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet along with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; toss gently and cook for 2 minutes until noodles are warmed but still firm.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Butter Shrimp with 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles 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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