Pesto Zucchini Noodle Shrimp Scampi

Pesto Zucchini Noodle Shrimp Scampi

Julia

This Pesto Zucchini Noodle Shrimp Scampi transforms the beloved Italian-American classic into a vibrant, gluten-free masterpiece that's as nutritious as it is delicious. By swapping traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles and infusing the dish with aromatic basil pesto, we've created a lighter version that doesn't sacrifice any of the luxurious flavors you crave. The tender, perfectly seared shrimp mingle with garlic-infused olive oil and fresh lemon juice, while the pesto adds an herbaceous depth that elevates every bite.

What makes this dish truly special is its remarkable balance of indulgence and health. The zucchini noodles provide a tender yet satisfying base that absorbs all the wonderful flavors while keeping the carb count low. Each forkful delivers succulent shrimp, bright citrus notes, and the unmistakable richness of pesto, creating a symphony of Mediterranean flavors that feels restaurant-worthy yet comes together in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant enough for entertaining, this recipe proves that eating gluten-free doesn't mean compromising on taste or satisfaction. The zucchini noodles maintain a pleasant al dente texture when cooked properly, providing the perfect vehicle for the garlicky, herb-infused sauce. Whether you're following a gluten-free lifestyle, watching your carbs, or simply looking for a fresh take on shrimp scampi, this dish delivers low-carb luxury that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Nutrition

25 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 22.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 36.00g

Ingredients

4 mediumzucchini, spiralized into noodles
1.5 lbslarge shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cupbasil pesto, store-bought or homemade
3 tbspolive oil, divided
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1 largelemon, juiced and zested
1/4 tspred pepper flakes (optional)
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
1/4 cupfresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
1/4 cupParmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
tongs
chef's knife
zester or microplane
large skillet
colander
spiralizer
serving plates

16:8 Diet

Ideal for the 16:8 eating window with its nutrient-dense combination of protein-rich shrimp, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables that provide sustained energy and satiety. The balanced macronutrients help maintain stable blood sugar during the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 principle with over 80% nutrient-dense whole foods including fresh vegetables, quality shrimp, olive oil, and herbs, while the small amount of parmesan cheese represents the flexible 20% that adds flavor and satisfaction.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe features anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3-rich shrimp, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and colorful vegetables. The dish avoids refined carbohydrates and processed foods while emphasizing whole foods and herbs known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Atkins Diet

This recipe aligns perfectly with Atkins principles by using zucchini noodles instead of pasta, eliminating grains entirely while emphasizing protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil and pesto, and low-carb vegetables, keeping net carbs well under 10g per serving.

Carb Cycling

Perfect for LOW-CARB days in a carb cycling plan, this recipe keeps net carbs minimal with zucchini noodles while providing ample protein from shrimp and healthy fats from pesto and olive oil to support muscle maintenance during lower-carb phases.

Clean Eating

This recipe embodies clean eating principles with whole, minimally processed ingredients: fresh zucchini, wild-caught shrimp, real basil pesto, fresh vegetables, and quality olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no artificial additives or refined ingredients.

Flexible Dieting

This nutrient-dense recipe fits flexible dieting perfectly with its balance of lean protein, healthy fats, and vegetables that can be easily measured and tracked. The whole-food ingredients provide quality nutrition while fitting into various calorie and macro targets.

Gluten-Free Diet

Completely gluten-free by using spiralized zucchini instead of wheat pasta, this recipe provides all the satisfaction of traditional scampi without any gluten-containing ingredients. All components—shrimp, vegetables, olive oil, and pesto—are naturally gluten-free.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features lean protein from shrimp, monounsaturated fats from olive oil, and abundant vegetables while avoiding saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. The garlic, herbs, and omega-3s from shrimp support cardiovascular health.

High-Protein Diet

With 1.5 pounds of shrimp serving 4 people, this recipe delivers approximately 30+ grams of high-quality, lean protein per serving. The protein-rich shrimp is the star of the dish, making it ideal for those prioritizing protein intake for muscle building or satiety.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This macro-friendly recipe provides a clear balance of protein from shrimp, healthy fats from pesto and olive oil, and minimal carbs from zucchini and vegetables, making it easy to track and fit into various macronutrient targets for flexible dieters.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil and pesto, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that honors both nutrition and pleasure. The dish provides protein, healthy fats, and vegetables in a delicious preparation that encourages mindful enjoyment without restriction or guilt.

Ketogenic Diet

Perfect for keto with zucchini noodles replacing high-carb pasta, keeping net carbs very low while the pesto, olive oil, and parmesan provide the high fat content required. The shrimp adds quality protein, making this an ideal low-carb, high-fat meal that fits keto macros.

Low-Carb Diet

The spiralized zucchini noodles replace traditional pasta, dramatically reducing carbohydrates while maintaining a satisfying texture. Combined with protein-rich shrimp and healthy fats from pesto and olive oil, this dish easily stays under 15g net carbs per serving.

Macro Diet

Perfect for macro tracking with clearly portioned ingredients that provide substantial protein from shrimp, controlled healthy fats from olive oil and pesto, and low-carb vegetables, allowing easy calculation of macronutrient ratios to meet individual goals.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe exemplifies Mediterranean eating with its emphasis on olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood (shrimp), and herbs like basil and garlic. The dish prioritizes healthy fats, lean protein from shrimp, and abundant vegetables while avoiding processed ingredients and red meat.

Mindful Eating

Perfect for mindful eating with its variety of textures, colors, and fresh flavors that engage all the senses—from the tender zucchini noodles to the aromatic garlic and basil. The whole-food ingredients encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each component.

Pegan Diet

This recipe aligns with Pegan principles by centering on vegetables (zucchini and tomatoes) as the primary component, including wild-caught shrimp as a quality protein source, and using healthy fats from olive oil while being completely gluten-free and emphasizing whole, unprocessed ingredients.

South Beach Diet

Ideal for South Beach Diet with its lean protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil and pesto, and non-starchy vegetables replacing refined carbohydrates. The elimination of pasta in favor of zucchini noodles makes this suitable for all phases of the diet.

Weight Watchers

This dish supports Weight Watchers goals with lean protein from shrimp, abundant non-starchy vegetables (zucchini and tomatoes), and controlled portions of healthy fats. The recipe emphasizes whole, unprocessed ingredients while keeping the meal satisfying and nutrient-dense.

Instructions

1

Spiralize the zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer. Place the zucchini noodles in a colander and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let them sit for 10 minutes to release excess moisture, then gently press with paper towels to absorb the liquid.

12 min
2

Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper. Set aside on a plate.

2 min
3
2 min

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.

4
2 min

Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook without moving for 2 minutes until the bottom turns pink and slightly golden.

5
2 min

Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

6
1 min

Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.

7
2 min

Add the cherry tomatoes (if using) to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until they just begin to soften.

8
3 min

Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss gently with tongs. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the noodles are just tender but still have a slight bite.

9

Remove the skillet from heat. Add the pesto, lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss everything together until the zucchini noodles are evenly coated with the pesto.

1 min
10

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss to combine and warm through, about 1 minute.

1 min
11

Divide the pesto zucchini noodles among four serving plates. If using, top with halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.

Frequently Asked Questions