15-Minute Zucchini Shrimp Bowl (Print Version)

Tender shrimp and zucchini noodles in a zesty lemon-garlic broth, ready in 15 minutes.

# Components:

→ Seafood

01 - 9 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Broth & Seasoning

06 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute until they begin to soften.
04 - Pour in the broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Add zucchini noodles and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until just tender.
06 - Return shrimp to the skillet, add red pepper flakes if desired, and toss to combine. Heat through for 1 minute.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes, which somehow feels like cheating when the results taste this good.
  • The lemon-garlic broth does all the heavy lifting—it makes those zucchini noodles taste like something you'd never guess was your weeknight shortcut.
  • Protein-packed without feeling heavy, so you won't crash at 3 p.m. like you do with other quick meals.
02 -
  • Overcooking the shrimp by even 60 seconds turns it from tender to rubbery, and no amount of broth can fix that—medium-high heat and a timer are your friends.
  • Don't spiral your zucchini until you're ready to cook; if it sits around, it releases water and gets slimy, turning into the sad noodles that give the whole concept a bad name.
03 -
  • Buy pre-peeled shrimp if it means you'll actually make this instead of convincing yourself you don't have time—efficiency is more important than the minor cost difference.
  • Keep lemon zest in your freezer so you always have it ready; it's the ingredient that makes this taste restaurant-quality instead of like meal prep.
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