Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
A light and comforting Italian classic swapping heavy pasta for fresh zucchini noodles. Plump shrimp and blistered tomatoes are tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min
Makes
2 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Prep cloves garlic (minced), handful fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Pat the shrimp completely dry
- 01
Pat the shrimp completely dry
Pat the shrimp completely dry with a paper towel and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil and half of…
Heat the olive oil and half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then immediately transfer them to a plate.
Look for: pink and opaque, then immediately transfer them to a plate
Tap card to mark done - 03
Reduce the heat to medium
Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet, then stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour in the white wine (or broth)…
Pour in the white wine (or broth) and let it bubble for a minute to reduce. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and baby spinach, stirring until the spinach just begins to wilt.
Look for: the spinach just begins to wilt
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add the spiralized zucchinis to the pan
Add the spiralized zucchinis to the pan. Use tongs to gently toss them in the garlic butter sauce for just 1 to 2 minutes so they warm through but retain a slight crunch.
Allow: 1 to 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 06
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top, toss with the parsley, and serve warm.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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