This Lightened Up Shrimp & Zucchini Scampi recipe is a quick and easy summer dish.  I incorporate zucchini noodles into gluten-free pasta to keep the carb count low without sacrificing flavor.
We compromise on meals around here.  Vegas generally turns her nose up at fish, but she IS a fan of shellfish.  In her version of heaven, she’d eat bowls of pasta for ever meal.  I, on the other hand, would rather have my carbs in the form of cake.
Today’s Shrimp Scampi recipe is a perfect example of how we compromise. Â She think it’s a little strange, that I use a half-portion of noodles (gluten-free, no less!) and add zucchini noodles for volume… but I know it’s good when our plates are clean!
The shrimp I prefer to use is from Sizzlefish.  Their high quality fish is flash frozen before shipping.  This means the fishes retain their fresh taste.  I live at the beach and I eat frozen seafood from the opposite coast… it’s that good.
It’s also EASY.  Any item you order arrives pre-portioned… no messing around with raw fish required (totally grosses me out).  I take it out of the freezer in the morning, put it in the fridge, and it’s ready by dinner.  In a pinch, you can run it under hot water to thaw… takes like 2 minutes.  Simple and quick!
Summer is coming, so that means tons of fresh zucchini.  It was even on sale at Whole Foods!  Color me excited.
To spiralize my zucchini, I used my little handheld spiralizer.  I’m big on minimal clean up, so this thing has been clutch for making perfect zucchini noodles without having to drag a big piece of kitchen equipment out.  So easy.
I used a crisp white wine in here… if you don’t have a bottle on hand (god forbid), you could use broth or even more pasta water.
But you should crack open a bottle.  A glass (or two) is fantastic with this dish on a warm spring evening.
[Tweet “Check out this lite Shrimp & Zucchini Scampi recipe! #glutenfree”]
Lightened Up Shrimp & Zucchini Scampi
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Keywords: saute entree gluten-free low-carb low-sodium nut-free soy-free sugar-free lemon shrimp wine zucchini
Ingredients (3-4 servings)
- 1 T coconut oil
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 oz dry pasta (I used this quinoa pasta)
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1/4 C cooking water reserved
- 1/2 C chopped parsley
- 3 T fresh lemon juice
- 2 T dry white wine
- 1 T lemon zest
- Grated parmesan, to top
Instructions
In skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add shrimp, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook until shrimp is just turning pink (~3 mins). Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions and spiralize zucchini.
Add pasta, parsley, lemon juice, white wine, and as much cooking water as needed to thin. Stir to combine, then slowly toss until a light sauce forms (~4 mins).
Add spiralized zucchini, tossing to combine and warm for ~30 seconds.
Remove from heat and palate the pasta. Garnish with additional parsley, lemon zest, and cheese.
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My favorite compromise to date has been concerts for movies.  Vegas goes to concerts with me (she doesn’t like my music) as long as I’ll go to movies with her (I think movies are boring).
What compromises occur in your house?
Are you a seafood fan?
No matter who I’m with, I usually get things to go my way 😉 NO compromises!
HA! I have been successful with that int he past, but we’re both totally hard headed. It keeps life interesting. 🙂
I have heard so many good things about sizzle fish – why can’t they be an Aussie company! Haha!
David and I are pretty similar so we don’t often have to compromise. But I think when we do it’s mostly having to go for a bottle of red when I really want white wine! In the end, I stil, get wine so I’m happy! 😀
Thank GOD we both prefer red! Ha!
God forbid is right! LOL!!!
I love this dish as I can actually make it. Now THAT is strange 🙂
Have a great weekend…
Two weeks in a row?! I deserve another glass of wine.
Alex doesn’t really care for shrimp anymore, but I love shrimp, I love zoodles, this is onnnnnn
wait? how did I not know vegas didn’t like seafood? blasphemy! kidding. But this looks amazing. sizzlefish shrimp is amazing
I know! She’ll eat salmon occasionally, but other than that… no dice. Whatever. More for me!
Didn’t you used to not like seafood?!
Your memory is too good. Yeah… I was so lame.
I’m with Vegas – I’d choose pasta over cake any day! I try to compromise in relationships but I must admit I have little patience. I once dated someone who was not only vegetarian but also gluten free. We basically couldn’t eat out anywhere, and that made me sad. She was lovely but it was just never going to work – I need a burger companion!
I went on ONE date with a girl who was a raw vegan. We had coffee. Well, I had coffee. She had tea because apparently coffee is bad. She also didn’t drink. That date couldn’t end fast enough.
I love seafood of all kinds. Growing up in New England and also traveling around the world you get to love not just your typical salmon, cod, and shrimp, but also mahi mahi, tilefish, snapper…all of it! Not to mention clam chowder. Luckily my boyfriend will eat ANYTHING so whatever I’m in the mood for goes 🙂
I love shrimp! This is awesome, now to get my husband on board to eat it with me. Unfortunately, he only likes it fried… lol! #dietitian nightmare lol!
I think we’re in the same marriage… LOL! If it’s fried, Vegas will eat basically anything.
This is a great one for my husband and son!
Yuuuum! Love zoodles! We’re totally making this for a nice light summertime dish!
Thanks! I’d love to hear what you think if you try it!
Oooh I love shrimp scampi- and a light version…yes please! I can’t wait to make this!
Thank you! I’d love to hear what you think if you try it!
I love that you combined noodles with zoodles! I think I could get my boyfriend to eat them if I did that 🙂
I really love seafood. It still shocks me that THIS IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT FOR YOU!
I know, I know… I’m so ashamed. At least I finally saw the light!
Don’t hate me but I’ve never liked seafood, even before I became a vegetarian. Growing up I went on tons of beach vacations with my family and to tons of seafood restaurants but it never grew on me. The only thing I can really say I like is tuna salad. I miss that sometimes. That said, shrimp scampi has always sounded appetizing to me for some reason. Maybe it’s the white wine. Substituting half the pasta with zucchini noodles is a great idea! Especially for me because I love my carbs in the form of both pasta AND cake. haha
I was the SAME way until about 25. They say your taste buds change every 7 years… maybe that was it???
Either way, this would be good with a veggie protein too – tempeh or even canellini beans!
Perfect dish for Spring and Summer. Light and super delicious! Gotta love zoodles!
You had me at minimal clean up. I’m spiralized obsessed.
I hear that – I love to cook, but cleaning is the WORST.
I’m kind of with Vegas when it comes to seafood, but I love your compromise here. I also think it’s genius to mix pasta and a veggie spiral! I have one of these gadgets that needs to get more use in our kitchen.
this looks delicious! i am a HUGE shrimp fan!
I am totally Vegas . I don’t like fish, only shellfish and I prefer my carbs in pasta form over cake form.
I love making zucchini pasta, but believe it or not I’ve never done a shrimp scampi version. I will have to try yours it sounds delicious.
Thanks! Let me know how you like it if you try it! 🙂
I still need to get myself a spiralizer. I should have put it on the baby registry. 😉
You know I would have bought it for you! What I DID buy you should be there any day though… it’s significantly less useful though.