Creamy Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Total Time
18 mins
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Servings
2 servings
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Calories
400 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Creamy Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp
Description
Creamy Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp begins by spiralizing medium zucchinis into noodles and setting them aside. The sauce is prepared by melting butter, stirring in flour to form a paste, then gradually adding milk to thicken into a cream base. Parmesan cheese and pesto are folded in to create a mildly cheesy and herbaceous sauce that stays warm on low heat. Shrimp are cooked separately in olive oil or butter, seasoned simply with garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper, until they turn pink and curled, which takes just a few minutes.
The zucchini noodles are combined with the creamy pesto sauce and shrimp for a dish that serves well as a fresh lunch or light dinner. It pairs nicely with a simple side salad or garlic bread to round out the meal. The sauce can be adjusted to preference by using cream or mixing cream and milk for a richer texture.
The recipe notes that the preparation time is short despite detailed instructions, and serving two people is typical. Nutritional information is estimated rather than exact.
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini approx 7 inches long, medium
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 TBSP all-purpose flour gluten-free or regular
- ½ cup milk 2% or whole, room temperature
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese plus extra for topping, freshly grated
- 2 TBSP pesto homemade or store bought
- 8-10 oz Shrimp fresh of thawed, cleaned, peeled
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp paprika
- ⅛ tsp salt sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- olive oil extra virgin, for drizzling
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
- basil torn or chopped, fresh
- parsley fresh chopped
- red pepper flakes
- for extra garlic flavor add some minced garlic to your shrimp while sauteeing. This can be done in addition to or in place of the garlic powder!
Instructions
- Wash and slice the ends off your squash.
- Using a spiralizer or a veggie peeler, slice your zucchini into noodles and set aside.
- Bring a nonstick pan or skillet to medium heat and melt your butter.
- Add flour and stir constantly to form a smooth paste.
- Next add room temperature milk (warm it if needed) and continue stirring until mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir, then add your pesto.
- Reduce heat to lowest setting and allow sauce to stay warm while you cook your shrimp.
- Bring a pan or skillet to medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil (or use butter if you prefer!) and your shrimp.
- Season with garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and pepper and cook on each side for about 2 minutes until shrimp curl and turn a pinkish-orange and opaque. The saute time will depend on the heat setting you choose and the size of your shrimp, but regardless they’ll be perfectly cooked in a matter of minutes!
- Add the noodles to your shrimp and stir, giving the zucchini noodles a chance to soften slightly. They're best al-dente, slightly tender with an nice bite to them.
- Pour your sauce over the mixture and serve.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and your choice of extras from the list above.
Notes
- The sauce can be made richer by substituting or supplementing milk with fresh cream.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the tender texture of the zucchini noodles and shrimp.
- A side salad or garlic bread complements this dish well for a fuller meal.
- Seasoning can be adjusted according to taste, and fresh garlic may be added when sautéing shrimp for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 400kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 322mg | 107% |
| Sodium | 1650mg | 69% |
| Potassium | 1101mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1820IU | 36% |
| Vitamin C | 71.5mg | 79% |
| Calcium | 600mg | 60% |
| Iron | 4.3mg | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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