Healthy Shrimp Scampi at the Table

healthy shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles in a baking dish

Get ready to savor all the rich garlic goodness and silky textures of traditional shrimp scampi, but with a healthy twist! This Healthy Shrimp Scampi isn’t just a mouthwatering meal — it’s also a low-carb, keto-friendly, and ridiculously simple to make. Paired with zucchini noodles, it’s a speedy, tasty dish that’s reliable for any occasion. Whether you choose to enjoy it solo or alongside your go-to sides, this healthy shrimp scampi is about to become your go-to recipe for guilt-free indulgence!

healthy shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles in a white oval baking dish

What Is Healthy Shrimp Scampi?

Healthy shrimp scampi is simply a lighter take on the classic comfort food. Made with all the same garlic flavor and rich sauce you know and love, we serve it over zucchini noodles for a keto take on a crowd-pleasing dish. It’s high in protein, super cheesy, and loaded with flavor! The finest part is this healthier shrimp scampi is so tasty your kids won’t even realize they’re eating their veggies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Speedy and simple, it bakes in a single dish in less than 15 minutes.
Healthier than standard recipes, this shrimp scampi is high-protein, low-carb, and full of healthy fats to keep you full.
Healthy shrimp scampi makes a large batch and can easily be doubled, making it reliable for feeding a crowd.
Versatile and customizable, you can pair this shrimp over any noodles you hav on hand, and serve it with all your go-to sides for the standout crowd-pleasing comfort food.

Ingredients You’ll Need

If you’ve ever made standard shrimp scampi, these ingredients will likely look familiar to you. Here’s your grocery list for whipping up our guilt-free version:

Shrimp – We recommend using large shrimp. Just make sure they are peeled and deveined.
Shallot and Garlic – These aromatics add a bold, savory flavor to the dish.
Butter – We suggest using unsalted butter so as to add a rich flavor to the scampi without overwhelming the dish.
Lemon – Both lemon juice and lemon zest are used to lighten up the flavor of some of the heavy fats.
Broth – We use seafood broth, but any low-sodium broth such as chicken or veggie broth will do.
Seasonings – A combination of salt, paprika, pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley add a savory flavor and just a hint of spice.
Zucchini – Use a spiralizer or buy pre-made zucchini noodles for a low-carb pasta alternative.
Heavy Cream – This forms the base of the sauce.
Parmesan Cheese – Plenty of cheese is added in and on top of the dish for a recipe no one can resist!

How to Make Healthy Shrimp Scampi

This healthier shrimp scampi may look like a gourmet masterpiece, but the secret is, it’s incredibly simple to make! Follow these simple instructions, and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish on your table in no time:

Combine the Ingredients. Add the shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and broth to a baking dish.
Add the Zoodles. Layer the zoodles (zucchini noodles) on top. Do NOT stir!
Bake. Place the dish in the oven until the shrimp are opaque and no longer pink.
Top. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine.
Garnish. Add extra Parmesan and parsley, and dig in!

Serving Suggestions

This healthy shrimp scampi is a nutritional powerhouse all on its own, thanks to the zucchini noodles paired with the protein-rich shrimp. You can eat it all on its own or elevate your meal even further by pairing it with some tasty sides. Here are some of our absolute go-to combinations:

Storage Options

This healthy shrimp scampi is finest served right away while it’s still warm. However, if you happen to have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat your leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat just until warm. Be careful not to overcook! Otherwise, your shrimp will become rubbery.

Healthy Shrimp Scampi Common Questions

Is shrimp scampi a healthy choice?

This shrimp scampi is chock-full of protein from the shrimp and dairy. Plus, it gets a nutrient boost over the traditional version since it uses zucchini instead of noodles.

What is a substitute for wine in shrimp scampi?

We use seafood broth instead of wine in shrimp scampi. You can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth.

What is scampi sauce made of?

Scampi sauce is a blend of garlic, butter, and white wine. In our recipe, we swap out the wine for seafood broth and add lemon, aromatics, and spices. We also use cream and cheese for a rich twist on the traditional version.

Should you eat shrimp scampi with the tails on or off?

This is a matter of personal preference. However, if you cook the shrimp with the tails on they’ll retain their shape better than if cooked with the tails off. Of course, you’ll want to slice the tails off when you actually eat the dish.

More Shrimp Recipes

If you’re ready to dive into more simple and tasty shrimp recipes, we’ve got what you’re looking for! Check out some of our go-to shrimp creations below:

One Pot Cajun Pasta
One Pot Pesto Pasta
Shrimp Bake in Tomato Sauce
Blackened Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Silky Linguine Shrimp Alfredo

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins

This Healthy Shrimp Scampi features all the rich garlic flavor and silky texture of traditional shrimp scampi in a low-carb, keto-friendly recipe that’s so simple to make! Paired with zucchini noodles, it’s speedy, tasty, and reliable for every occasion. Serve it on its own or with your go-to sides! Email

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
1 small shallot chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
Juice of half a lemon
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes + more or less to taste
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper + more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup seafood broth or choice of broth
1 large ~3 ounces zucchini, spiralized
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
1/4 cup fresh parsley + more for garnish
Optional Garnish: Parmesan cheese and parsley

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium-sized baking dish, combine the shrimp, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, butter, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, paprika, and broth.1 pound large shrimp, 1 small shallot, 2 cloves garlic, Juice of half a lemon, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes + more or less to taste, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper + more or less to taste, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 cup seafood broth or choice of broth
Top with zoodles. Do not stir!1 large
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the shrimp is fully cooked and no longer pink.
Add the heavy cream, cheese, and parsley. Stir well.1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup fresh parsley + more for garnish
Garnish with more parsley and Parmesan cheese!Optional Garnish: Parmesan cheese and parsley
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.