Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Zucchini Noodles
Tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served atop fresh zucchini noodles tossed with aromatic herbs for a light, flavorful seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced 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 pieces, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 12 large peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque, then remove shrimp to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 spiralized medium zucchini noodles. Toss gently and cook for 2 minutes until noodles soften but remain slightly crisp.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet with zucchini noodles. Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss everything together for 1 minute until heated through and aromatic.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional herbs if desired, for a light seafood meal bursting with fresh garlic and lemon flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb 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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb 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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb 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 Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb 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.
What goes well with Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Herb Zucchini Noodles?
Mediterranean seafood 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.
