Creamy Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Lemon (Printable Version)
Succulent shrimp in creamy garlic sauce, served with fresh zucchini noodles and a bright lemon touch. Light, flavorful, satisfying.
# What You Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
→ Creamy Garlic Sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - Juice of 1 lemon
10 - Salt, to taste
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Garnishes
12 - Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.
04 - Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens to your desired consistency.
05 - Return the seared shrimp to the skillet with the creamy sauce and gently toss to ensure the shrimp are thoroughly coated.
06 - Incorporate the spiralized zucchini noodles into the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing gently, until the noodles are just tender but still retain a slight crispness.
07 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley and, if desired, crushed red pepper flakes. Serve this flavorful dish immediately for the best experience.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It's incredibly quick, so you can have a gourmet-feeling meal on the table even when time is tight.
- The rich, garlicky cream sauce beautifully coats the tender shrimp and delicate zucchini noodles, making healthy eating feel like a decadent treat.
02 -
- Overcooking shrimp is a common mistake that leads to rubbery seafood; cook it just until it turns opaque.
- Don't overcook the zucchini noodles either; they should still have a slight bite for the best texture.
03 -
- For an even richer sauce, consider adding a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the Parmesan.
- If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer a little longer, or stir in a tiny bit more grated Parmesan; if it's too thick, a splash of warm chicken broth or water can loosen it.