Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shrimp cooked in garlic butter served over zucchini noodles tossed with Parmesan for a light, low-carb dinner. This italian-inspired low carb (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1 tbsp butter, and then add 4 spiralized medium zucchinis. Toss zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still firm.
  4. Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet with zucchini noodles. Pour 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over everything and sprinkle 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine and warm through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Zucchini Noodles 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Zucchini Noodles 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.

Is Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Parmesan 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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