Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini Noodles
PASTA PECIPE
Ingredients:
For this dish, you’ll need 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles (or use a vegetable peeler to make ribbons). You will also need 8 oz of whole wheat or gluten-free pasta (spaghetti or linguine work well). For the protein, use 1 lb of shrimp, peeled and deveined. The flavor will come from 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice (or more to taste), and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. You’ll also need 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped. For seasoning, have salt and pepper on hand. Optionally, you can add red pepper flakes for some heat and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan for topping.
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat or gluten-free pasta and cook according to the package instructions, which is usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta but make sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
Cook the Shrimp
While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
Saute Garlic and Zucchini Noodles
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the spiraled zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become too soggy.
Combine Everything
Now, add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the zucchini noodles. Toss everything together. Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet, along with the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help combine everything smoothly. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some spice.
Serve
Once everything is well mixed and heated through, divide the pasta onto plates. Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on top if desired, and garnish with extra parsley.
This dish is light, nutritious, and bursting with fresh flavors, making it a perfect healthy pasta meal!