Q1: What if I don't have a spiralizer for the zucchini noodles?

If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use alternative methods to create zucchini noodles. A vegetable peeler can create wide, flat 'ribbons' of zucchini, or you can use a sharp chef's knife to carefully cut thin, long strips. As noted in Step 2, the key is to salt the noodles and let them drain excess moisture to prevent a watery dish. Just be sure to pat the noodles dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure they maintain the right texture when added to the skillet in Step 8.

Q2: How can I tell when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

According to Step 5 and Step 6, shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque throughout, which typically takes 2-3 minutes total. Look for two key visual indicators: a light golden color on the first side when cooking for 2 minutes without moving, and a complete transformation to pink when flipped. Overcooking will make shrimp tough, so watch them carefully. If you're unsure, the internal temperature should reach 145°F, but most home cooks can rely on the color and opacity changes as a reliable doneness indicator.

Q3: Can I make this recipe gluten-free or modify it for specific dietary needs?

This recipe is already naturally gluten-free, as it doesn't contain wheat-based ingredients. For those on the Optavia diet, the recipe aligns well with the program's guidelines. If you have specific protein or seafood restrictions, you could substitute the shrimp with chicken or tofu, maintaining the same cooking technique in Steps 5-6. The zucchini noodles make this a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta dishes, and the recipe can be easily adapted to various dietary needs by adjusting seasonings or protein sources.

Q4: What substitutions can I make if I'm missing some ingredients?

For the chicken broth in Step 7, you can use vegetable broth or white wine as an alternative. If fresh parsley isn't available, dried parsley or other fresh herbs like basil or chives can work. The red pepper flakes are optional and can be replaced with a dash of cayenne or omitted entirely. For the lemon juice, you could use white wine vinegar or lime juice if needed. Always aim to maintain the balance of flavors, keeping the core technique of creating a light, flavorful sauce as outlined in Steps 7-9.

Spiralized Zucchini Shrimp Scampi

This Spiralized Zucchini Shrimp Scampi transforms the classic Italian-American favorite into a perfectly balanced Optavia-friendly meal that doesn't sacrifice an ounce of flavor. Tender, wild-caught shrimp are quickly sautéed in a fragrant garlic-infused broth, then tossed with fresh spiralized zucchini noodles that provide the perfect light and refreshing base. The result is a dish that captures all the buttery, garlicky essence of traditional scampi while keeping calories and carbs in check.

What makes this recipe truly special is how the zucchini noodles absorb the aromatic cooking liquid, creating a satisfying pasta-like experience without the heavy carbohydrate load. The shrimp provide an excellent source of lean protein—essential for the Optavia Lean & Green guidelines—while fresh parsley and lemon brighten every bite with vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired flavors. This is comfort food that feels indulgent but aligns perfectly with your health goals.

Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick, nutritious dinner that the whole family will enjoy. The spiralized zucchini cooks in mere minutes, maintaining a pleasant al dente texture that mimics traditional pasta while adding valuable nutrients and fiber. Whether you're following the Optavia program strictly or simply looking for a lighter take on a beloved classic, this Shrimp Scampi delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—just a handful of fresh, quality ingredients come together to create something truly memorable. Each forkful offers succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, bright citrus notes, and perfectly tender zucchini noodles, proving that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious.

Mia

Recipe Author: Welcome to Mia's Kitchen, where every recipe is plant-forward, anti-inflammatory, and full of flavor. Her meals make it easy to eat well, support gut health, and enjoy balanced, wholesome cooking at home.

Nutrition

18 minutes

None servings

245 calories

Fat 6.50g

Carbs 9.00g

Protein 38.00g

Ingredients

1.5 lbs	wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 whole	medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
6 cloves	garlic, minced
1/2 cup	low-sodium chicken broth
3 tbsp	fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp	olive oil
1/4 cup	fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp	red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp	salt
1/4 tsp	black pepper, freshly ground
1 whole	lemon, cut into wedges (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board

measuring spoons

measuring cups

paper towels

tongs

chef's knife

large skillet

colander

spiralizer

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Perfectly aligned with anti-inflammatory principles, featuring omega-3 rich shrimp, antioxidant herbs like parsley, anti-inflammatory garlic, and olive oil. The recipe emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that combat inflammation.

Clean Eating

A pristine clean eating recipe using whole, minimally processed ingredients like wild-caught shrimp, fresh zucchini, garlic, and herbs. Every component is recognizable in its natural state, with no artificial additives or processed elements.

Ketogenic Diet

An excellent keto option with zucchini noodles replacing high-carb pasta, providing a low-carb base. The dish is rich in healthy fats from olive oil and protein from shrimp, while keeping net carbs extremely low at approximately 4-5g per serving.

Low-Carb Diet

Ideal for low-carb diets, this recipe uses spiralized zucchini instead of traditional pasta, dramatically reducing carbohydrate content. With lean shrimp, minimal olive oil, and vegetable noodles, it delivers flavor without excess carbs.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on seafood, olive oil, fresh herbs, and vegetables. The wild-caught shrimp, fresh parsley, lemon, and olive oil are quintessential Mediterranean ingredients that promote heart health and nutritional balance.

Optavia

Directly designed for the Optavia Lean & Green meal guidelines, this recipe features lean wild-caught shrimp, abundant non-starchy zucchini noodles, and controlled portions that align perfectly with Optavia's nutritional principles.

Instructions

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

2 min

If not pre-spiralized, use a spiralizer to create zucchini noodles from all 4 zucchini. Place the zucchini noodles in a colander and lightly salt them, then set aside to drain excess moisture.

5 min

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until shimmering.

2 min

1 min

Add minced garlic to the hot skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.

2 min

Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without moving them, allowing them to develop a light golden color.

2 min

Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until they turn pink and opaque throughout.

1 min

Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then add red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Pat the zucchini noodles with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then add them to the skillet with the shrimp.

1 min

3 min

Toss the zucchini noodles with the shrimp and sauce using tongs, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are just tender but still have a slight bite.

Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chopped parsley, tossing everything together to combine.

Divide the shrimp scampi and zucchini noodles among four plates, ensuring each serving gets an equal amount of shrimp and sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.

1 min

Spiralized Zucchini Shrimp Scampi

Nutrition

Ingredients

Equipment

On Diet

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Clean Eating

Ketogenic Diet

Low-Carb Diet

Mediterranean Diet

Optavia

Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What if I don't have a spiralizer for the zucchini noodles?

Q2: How can I tell when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Q3: Can I make this recipe gluten-free or modify it for specific dietary needs?

Q4: What substitutions can I make if I'm missing some ingredients?