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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Do you want to make a super special, romantic dinner for your loved one, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This is the dish for your perfect date night.
Sumptuous curls of shrimp are bathed in a rich, garlicky sauce and then nestled on a bed of welcoming zucchini noodles.
What? Garlic? On Valentine’s Day? I hear you cry.
It’s not a problem if both of you eat it, and trust me, you’re both going to want to eat this. Light some candles, turn the music on low. And I dare you to nibble a noodle from both ends, Lady and the Tramp style. Enjoy!
Why This Recipe Is So Good
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Keto & Low-Carb: Only 7.8g net carbs per serving.
- Rich & Flavorful: Creamy garlic sauce with tender shrimp.
- Light yet Satisfying: Zucchini noodles keep it fresh and filling.
- Perfect for Two: Great for a romantic, effortless dinner.
Ingredients & Swaps
This recipe is flexible and easy to adjust based on what you have on hand. Here are some tips and swaps to make it perfect every time:
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp work well here. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking. You can also use prawns or scallops as a substitute.
- Olive Oil & Butter: The mix of olive oil and butter gives a balanced flavor, but you can use all butter or switch to ghee for a richer taste.
- Minced Garlic: Adjust to your taste! If you prefer less garlic, start with 2 teaspoons instead of 4. You can also use garlic powder if you're in a pinch (about 1 tsp).
- Chicken Broth or Vegetable Stock: Chicken broth adds a richer flavor, but vegetable stock works for a lighter option. You could also use seafood stock for an extra depth of flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream & Cream Cheese: These create a creamy sauce without any need for a starchy thickener! You can swap the cream cheese with mascarpone or omit it for a lighter sauce.
- Zucchini Noodles: Zoodles keep this dish low-carb, but you can replace them with spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, or even cauliflower rice if preferred. Also, you may want to make your own The Best Keto Spaghetti Pasta Noodles!
- Dill or Parsley: Either herb works well, but parsley is milder, while dill adds a more distinct flavor. You can mix both if you like!
Tips for Making the Perfect Keto Creamy Garlic Shrimp
To make sure your shrimp turn out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Pat the Shrimp Dry: Make sure the shrimp are completely dry before cooking to get a good sear and prevent them from becoming watery.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Cook them just until they turn pink (about 1-2 minutes per side) to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but if using pre-minced garlic, adjust the quantity as it can be stronger.
- Stir Sauce Constantly: Stir the sauce continuously while adding cream and cream cheese to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
- Prep the Zucchini Noodles: For best results, follow these tips to prep your zucchini noodles.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best served fresh, as zucchini noodles can get soggy if left to sit too long.
Storage & Reheating
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the shrimp gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery and cause the sauce to separate.
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Hands-on Overall
Serving size about 285 g/ 10 oz
Nutritional values (per about 285 g/ 10 oz)
Net carbs7.8 grams
Protein24.7 grams
Fat57.7 grams
Calories638 kcal
Calories from carbs 5%, protein 15%, fat 80%
Total carbs9 gramsFiber1.2 gramsSugars5.9 gramsSaturated fat32.9 gramsSodium925 mg(40% RDA)Magnesium59 mg(15% RDA)Potassium606 mg(30% EMR)
Ingredients (makes 2 servings)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
- 250 g shrimp, fresh or frozen (8.8 oz)
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (14 g/ 0.5 oz)
- 4 tsp minced garlic, or less to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock (120 ml/ 4 fl oz)
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)
- 4 tbsp cream cheese (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 1 tbsp chopped dill or parsley
- 1 medium zucchini, spiralized (200 g/ 7.1 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare all the ingredients.
- Spiralize your zucchini and let it drain in a colander over the sink while you prepare the shrimp.
- Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and then sear over high heat until pink, 1-2 minutes per side depending on the size of your shrimp.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and sit to one side.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in the same pan and then add garlic. Cook gently for a minute or so until it is fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the cream and cream cheese and cook until they are all combined, stirring constantly.
- Toss the zoodles through the sauce and then add the shrimp.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped dill. Serve hot, with a kiss. Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp for Two
Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
- 250 g shrimp, fresh or frozen (8.8 oz)
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (14 g/ 0.5 oz)
- 4 tsp minced garlic, or less to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock (120 ml/ 4 fl oz)
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)
- 4 tbsp cream cheese (60 g/ 2.1 oz)
- 1 tbsp chopped dill or parsley
- 1 medium zucchini, spiralized (200 g/ 7.1 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare all the ingredients.
- Spiralize your zucchini and let it drain in a colander over the sink while you prepare the shrimp.
- Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and then sear over high heat until pink, 1-2 minutes per side depending on the size of your shrimp.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and sit to one side.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in the same pan and then add garlic. Cook gently for a minute or so until it is fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the cream and cream cheese and cook until they are all combined, stirring constantly.
- Toss the zoodles through the sauce and then add the shrimp.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped dill. Serve hot, with a kiss. Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition (per serving, about 285 g/ 10 oz)
Calories638kcal
Net Carbs7.8g
Carbohydrates9g
Protein24.7g
Fat57.7g
Saturated Fat32.9g
Fiber1.2g
Sugar5.9g
Sodium925mg
Magnesium59mg
Potassium606mg
Detailed nutritional breakdown (per about 285 g/ 10 oz)
| Total per about 285 g/ 10 oz |
| 7.8 g | 24.7 g | 57.7 g | 638 kcal |
| Olive oil, extra virgin |
| 0 g | 0 g | 6.8 g | 60 kcal |
| Prawns, shrimp (raw, peeled) |
| 0.5 g | 18 g | 1 g | 83 kcal |
| Salt, sea salt |
| 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
| Pepper, black, spices |
| 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 kcal |
| Butter, unsalted, grass-fed |
| 0 g | 0.1 g | 5.8 g | 51 kcal |
| Garlic, fresh |
| 1.7 g | 0.4 g | 0 g | 8 kcal |
| Chicken stock (broth), chicken only, homemade |
| 0 g | 1.2 g | 1.2 g | 16 kcal |
| Cream, heavy whipping, pouring, full-fat (30-40% fat) |
| 2.3 g | 1.7 g | 34.2 g | 329 kcal |
| Cream cheese, soft (full-fat) |
| 1 g | 2.1 g | 8.4 g | 74 kcal |
| Dill, fresh |
| 0.1 g | 0.1 g | 0 g | 1 kcal |
| Zucchini (summer squash, courgette) |
| 2.1 g | 1.2 g | 0.3 g | 17 kcal |
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