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Healthy Shrimp Scampi

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This Healthy Shrimp Scampi features all the rich garlic flavor and creamy texture of traditional shrimp scampi in a low-carb, keto-friendly recipe that’s so easy to make! Paired with zucchini noodles, it’s quick, delicious, and perfect for every occasion. Serve it on its own or with your favorite sides! 

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 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 best 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

  • Quick 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 perfect 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 favorite sides for the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

If you’ve ever made standard shrimp scampi, you’ll recognize a lot of the ingredients we used for this healthier shrimp scampi recipe. Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • 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

It might look like it took hours in the kitchen, but you’re not going to believe how easy this healthier shrimp scampi recipe is to make! Just follow the instructions below. 

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

Thanks to the nutrients in zucchini, this healthy shrimp scampi is a complete meal on its own. However, feel free to serve it with your favorite sides, too! Some of our favorite pairings include: 

Storage Options 

This healthy shrimp scampi is best 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

Can I freeze leftovers? 

We do not recommend freezing this healthier shrimp scampi as the shrimp are likely to become rubbery, and the dairy does not thaw well. 

Should I leave the shrimp tail on or off? 

We remove the tale for easy eating, but if preferred, you can leave them on. 

Can I use chicken instead of shrimp? 

Sure! However, you’ll need to bake the dish longer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. 

How do I know when my shrimp is done cooking? 

You’ll know your shrimp is done when it is opaque in color and tender to the touch. 

More Shrimp Recipes

Looking for more easy shrimp recipes? Try out some of our favorites below! 

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

Healthy Shrimp Scampi

Food Dolls
This Healthy Shrimp Scampi features all the rich garlic flavor and creamy texture of traditional shrimp scampi in a low-carb, keto-friendly recipe that’s so easy to make! Paired with zucchini noodles, it’s quick, delicious, and perfect for every occasion. Serve it on its own or with your favorite sides!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 167 kcal

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​​° 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.
  • Top with zoodles. Do not stir!
  • 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.
  • Garnish with more parsley and Parmesan cheese!
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 999mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 809IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword baked feta pasta, baked pasta, baked shrimp, baked shrimp pasta, garlic shrimp, garlic shrimp pasta, lightened up shrimp scampi, linguine, scampi, seafood pasta, shrimp, shrimp scampi, spaghetti
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4 Comments

  1. How many servings and calories for the Heathy Shrimp Scampi recipe? It wasn’t listed the way it is on other recipes on this site. Thanks for the recipe! Looks delicious!

  2. What could you substitute for the heavy cream and less parm -to lower the fats and cals without sacrificing too much of the taste/integrity of the dish?

    1. You can actually keep out the heavy cream and reduce the parm! If you want some creaminess you can reduce the heavy cream to 2 tablespoons. It still tastes delicious and light!