Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic Shrimp and Chili Flakes

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

A spicy Whole30-friendly stir-fry of tender zucchini noodles and garlic-infused shrimp with a hint of red chili heat. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (whole30, low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs large zucchini, spiralized into noodles, peeled and deveined shrimp, extra virgin olive oil 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 Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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

• 4 cups large zucchini, spiralized into noodles
• 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sauté shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque, then remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 4 cups spiralized zucchini noodles and cook, tossing frequently, for 3-4 minutes until just tender but not mushy.
3. Step 3: Return cooked shrimp to skillet with zucchini noodles. Drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors before serving.