Creamy Garlic Shrimp Zucchini (Printable Version)

Succulent shrimp in a rich cream sauce served over tender zucchini noodles for a light meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes if using and cook 1 to 2 minutes until slightly softened.
05 - Reduce heat to medium, pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired; cook until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Return shrimp to skillet and toss to coat with sauce. Add lemon juice and half the chopped parsley.
07 - Add zucchini noodles and gently toss to combine. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until noodles are tender but still crisp.
08 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately garnished with remaining parsley.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The cream sauce is silky and rich without weighing you down, especially paired with the lightness of zucchini noodles.
  • Shrimp cook so quickly that there's almost no window for overcooking them, so even nervous cooks land this one perfectly.
02 -
  • Shrimp cooks in moments, so don't walk away from the skillet or you'll end up with rubber; set a timer if you tend to get distracted.
  • The zucchini noodles release water as they cook, which actually helps thin the cream sauce naturally, so don't be alarmed if it looks thinner than it did before you added them.
  • Everything tastes better when you taste and adjust before serving—don't be shy about adding more lemon juice or a pinch more salt at the very end.
03 -
  • Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking—shrimp dishes move fast, and scrambling for the lemon juice mid-sear will wreck your focus.
  • If your cream sauce ever looks too thick, just whisk in a splash of the water from cooking the shrimp or even plain water to loosen it up without losing flavor.

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