Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Pesto is a fresh, vibrant, and light pasta dish that combines tender shrimp with the freshness of zucchini noodles and the aromatic, herbaceous flavor of pesto. This dish offers a healthy, low-carb alternative to traditional pasta while still delivering big on flavor and texture. Itâs perfect for anyone looking for a nutritious yet indulgent meal thatâs both satisfying and refreshing.
The zucchini noodles, often referred to as “zoodles,” are made by spiralizing fresh zucchini into long, thin strands, creating a pasta-like texture that absorbs sauces beautifully. The zoodles are sautĂ©ed briefly to soften them while still retaining their crunch, making them a perfect base for the shrimp and pesto.
The shrimp are seasoned with a touch of garlic, salt, and pepper, then sautéed until perfectly tender and juicy. The natural sweetness of the shrimp pairs beautifully with the freshness of the zucchini noodles, creating a well-balanced seafood dish.
The pesto is the star of this dish, made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The pesto sauce brings a rich, herbaceous flavor that ties the entire dish together, coating the zucchini noodles and shrimp in a silky, flavorful sauce. The pesto adds depth and brightness, complementing the natural sweetness of the shrimp and the mild flavor of the zucchini.
To finish, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and some freshly cracked black pepper adds an extra layer of richness and flavor. You can also garnish with additional fresh basil or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the dish even more.
Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Pesto is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light, healthy meal any time of year. Itâs gluten-free, low-carb, and full of fresh, clean flavors that make it both satisfying and nourishing.
In summary, this dish combines the lightness of zucchini noodles with the richness of shrimp and the fresh, fragrant flavor of pesto. Itâs a refreshing, healthy, and flavorful meal that offers all the deliciousness of pasta without the heaviness, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a lighter, healthier take on a classic seafood pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini large,
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to make zucchini noodles.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
- Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss to coat in the shrimp and oil.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until zucchini noodles are just tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the pesto.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Made this tonightâsuper quick and honestly restaurant vibes. The shrimp were perfectly tender and the pesto made it taste way richer than I expected.
Totally agreeâthose shrimp cook so fast! I always worry about overcooking but 2-3 minutes per side has been spot on for me.
Restaurant vibes? Maybe lol. I tried it but my zucchini noodles went kinda wateryânext time Iâll salt them a bit and squeeze. Still tasty though.
lol shrimp + pesto? sounds weird but ok
I followed it exactly and it turned out bland. Maybe my pesto was mild? Salt/pepper to taste didnât fix it enough for me.
Low-carb win! Served it with a side salad and it felt like a whole meal. Would add parmesan next time.
Noodles from zukini? Nah, why would you even try this? Just eat normal pasta!
I get where you’re coming from, but this is actually a great low-carb alternative! đ
Zucchini noodles are gross! Just stick to real pasta, it tastes better.
Good idea with zucchini noodles, but mine got a little watery after cooking too long. Next time Iâll cook the noodles just until glossy and not extra. Still tasty though!
Yes!! Overcooking zucchini noodles is totally what makes them watery. âJust until glossyâ is the moveâI’ll add that to my timing too. Glad it was still tasty đ
Mine too, I cooked like 10 minutes once and it turned into soup kinda lol. Next time Iâll try cooking shorter like you said. Pesto helps it taste good even if it gets a bit wet.
Mine got watery đ I think I didnât dry the zucchini enough before cooking. Flavor is still great with the pesto, but texture wasnât as nice.
Honestly this sounds like dieting food. Like, whereâs the sauce? The noodles were meh until I added extra pesto and pepper.
Honestly I thought it was bland tooâmy zucchini noodles needed more pesto and a little lemon. I added crushed red pepper and it tasted way better. Next time Iâll do the same.
I get what you mean about âdieting food,â but the shrimp + pesto definitely bring the flavor. The sauce is basically the pesto coating everythingâespecially if you let it toss for a bit.
5 stars! Perfect for my keto diet! Was super quick to make!
Super easy recipe! But I add like a ton more garlic. Yummm đ€€. If you love garlic, you gotta try that!
I don’t have a spiralizer. Can I just cut the zucchini with a knife? Help!
I donât get why people love pesto so much, but ok this was actually pretty good. The shrimp + pesto combo is legit.
Pesto is great but I think you might wanna add garlic and lemon juice. Also shrimp takes longer than 2-3 minutes per side⊠unless theyâre tiny. Either way sounds tasty.
Right?! Iâm usually not a pesto person either, but the shrimp makes it taste way less âherby soapâ lol. The timing matters tooâzucchini noodles can go mushy fast.
I added garlic and some cherry tomatoes. It was a hit!
Garlic is good, but cherry tomatoes? I don’t know, seems like a weird combo for shrimp and pesto.
That sounds delicious! Garlic and cherry tomatoes would add great flavor! I should try that next time.
Zucchini Noodles + Shrimp = yum! I make this ALL the time! đ
Zoodles are weird. Why wouldn’t you just use regular noodles?
Zucchini noodles? Sounds weird. I didn’t even know you could spiralize a vegetable. I just used regular pasta and tossed some shrimp on it. #NotForMe
Could you use any other kind of sauce instead of pesto? I can’t find any right now.
I swear, zucchini noodles are the best! I didn’t even miss real pasta!!
I totally agree! Zucchini noodles are a game changer! đ They taste so fresh and guilt-free!
Really? I just can’t get over the texture. It feels too weird for me. I’ll stick with real pasta.
Not a fan. The zucchini was mushy and the shrimp didn’t have enough seasoning.
Easy and quick! Definitely making this again
Not sure if I trust these zucchini noodles… Looks too easy, bet it won’t be as good as regular pasta. đ€
I loved how simple it was! The shrimp were juicy and the pesto made it taste so fresh. Will try with different toppings next time!
I donât like veggies, but I tried this and was pleasantly surprised! Who knew? Zoodles, whoopee!
Wow, I’m glad you gave it a shot! Zoodles are the best way to sneak in those veggies without even noticing. Yum!
Um, isn’t pasta better than these zucchini things? Tried it, not for me.
Pretty tasty, but my shrimp cooked faster than the recipe said. Next time Iâll keep a closer eyeâstill delicious though.
I followed it exactly and it was kinda bland until I added more pepper and a tiny squeeze of lemon. Then suddenly it popped.
Shrimp turned out great! But the noodles were kinda bland, needed more flavor.
I’m glad the shrimp turned out well! Maybe try adding some garlic or parmesan to the noodles next time for extra flavor!
My spiralizer keeps jamming, so I ended up doing julienne peeler slices. Still good, but the ânoodlesâ were a little uneven. Next time Iâll take the spiralizer out of time-out.
Haha same hereâmy spiralizer jams too. The julienne peeler hack is legit though. Uneven noodles still cook fast, so youâre probably good. Next time, try slicing the zucchini a bit thicker for fewer snags.
zucchini noodles are a fad. this recipe was ok tho. đ
I dunno, they don’t taste like real pasta. But this one was alright, I guess.
Zucchini noodles are awesome! They bring such a fresh taste. Love this recipe!
Ok recipe but shrimp is too expensive where I live, so I used chicken instead and it was kinda dry. Would not recommend swapping unless you adjust cook time a lot. Still, flavors were nice.
Thanks for sharing! Yeah shrimp can be pricey. Iâve done chicken swaps before, but youâre rightâ2â3 minutes a side is made for shrimp, not chicken. If anyone tries it, Iâd slice/thin it and pre-cook or reduce the heat so it doesnât dry out.
Turned out tasty, but my zucchini noodles got a little watery after tossing. Next time Iâll salt them lightly and pat dry before cooking.
So glad it was tasty! Yeah, zucchini can get watery if it sits too long or isnât driedâsalting and patting is a great move. Iâve also found cooking them closer to the very end helps too.
Loved it! I didnât have shrimp, so I used chicken instead. Still turned out good!
Good idea but mine turned watery. I think I spiralized too long before cooking. Next time Iâll pat the zucchini dry and cook it less.
Mine turned out watery too and I didnât even spiralize that long⊠maybe the pesto was too thin? I just kinda stirred and hoped lol. Still tasted good though, so Iâd try less pesto and more heat next time.
Oof, that makes senseâzucchini noodles can definitely get watery. Patting them dry and keeping the cook time closer to âjust tenderâ usually helps a lot. Also, you can try cooking them in batches so they donât steam too much.
This recipe is amazing! The shrimp was perfectly cooked with the pesto. Will definitely make again!
I tried this recipe last week and it was a total hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it, thanks for sharing!
Sounds good, but shrimp always scares me a bit. What if I overcook it?
SO good! I used garlic pesto instead and it was delish! Everyone loved it.
Iâm skeptical about the âjust tenderâ part đ I always overcook zucchini. Also, 1/4 cup pesto felt like a lot at first, but it ended up tasting great once mixed in.
Same! âJust tenderâ is such a trap with zucchini đ I usually end up doing like 1â2 minutes max, and I stop as soon as it looks glossy. Good call on mixing the pesto in at the end thoughâdoes make a big difference.
Made this tonight and it was crazy good. The pesto really pulls everything togetherâfresh, garlicky, and not heavy at all.
I wish I had a spiralizer, can I use a peeler instead? đ€
Nice and quick. đ
I love zucchini noodles but I always worry they’ll get watery. Still turned out greatâtossing for only a couple minutes helped a lot. Will make again!
I tried making this and my zucchini noodles ended up mushy. Not sure what I did wrong…
Meh, I prefer pasta. Zucchini noodles? No thanks!
I donât get it. Pesto + shrimp sounds weird but I tried it anyway. It actually worked, but I probably wonât make it again.
I tried this and it was okay, but I feel like the pesto was too overpowering. Maybe less pesto next time?
This was super easy and delicious! My kids loved it. Will make again!
My kid refused to eat it. Zucchini noodles gross! Will stick with normal noodles next time.
Wowâthis is now my go-to low-carb dinner. Next time Iâm adding cherry tomatoes and maybe chili flakes. 10/10 would spiral again đ
Easy peasy, just how I like my recipes! Will definitely add to my weekly meal prep.
This was delicious! I never thought zucchini could replace pasta. My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I thought it was too oily and the shrimp were not seasoned enough.
This recipe was amazing! The shrimp and pesto went so well together.
I dunno, the zucchini was too squishy for me. Not a fan.
I actually loved the zucchini! It adds a nice crunch if you don’t overcook it. Maybe try cooking it less next time?
Made this tonight and it was so fresh and light. The shrimp cooked perfectly in just a few minutes, and the pesto really brought it together.
The spiralizer tip is realâmy julienne peeler was slower though. Still, the texture was nice and not mushy. Great weeknight meal.
I really wanted to like it, but the texture was weird. Kinda mushy! đ
Zucchini noodles? Really? I usually stick to real pasta, but this was surprisingly good.
Too basic for me. Needs more spices!!
Basic? Thatâs the whole point! Not everything needs to be fancy. Just enjoy the fresh flavors!
I think the simplicity is part of its charm! You could always add your favorite spices if you want more flavor. đ
Honestly, this looks dumb. Zucchini isn’t pasta and shrimp? No thanks. 1 star.
Zucchini noodles? Really? What’s wrong with real pasta? #NotImpressed
I added some garlic and it was fantastic! Great recipe for a healthy dinner.
This was so yummy! Easy to make and healthy too. I added some cherry tomatoes.
Sounds delicious! I love the addition of cherry tomatoes. Gotta try it!
I tried this too, but my noodles turned out soggy. What did I do wrong?
Zucchini noodles? Ehh, I’ll stick with regular pasta. This is just plants pretending to be noodles.
So easy and delicious! Never thought zucchini could taste this good! đ±
LOL I accidentally put the pesto on before cooking the shrimp. Tasted weird but still edible đ
Ehhh. Zucchini noodles always get meâeither theyâre watery or mushy. This time mine were mushy even though I tried to time it right.
Maybe your zucchini was too soft or watery? I think you should salt the noodles first like 10 minutes then pat dry. That takes the liquid out. Also if the shrimp released a bunch of water, itâll make the zoodles go soggy. My noodles come out better when I cook shrimp first and then do the zucchini fast.
Ugh I feel youâzoodles are super unpredictable. Iâve found the key is to use a quick high heat and not overcrowd the pan. Also, I toss them in at the end and pull them when they still feel a tiny bit firmâcarryover cooking is real. Even 30 seconds too long can go mushy fast.
Yummmmm, I used basil pesto and it was divine! 10/10 recommend, guys!
I’ve got to try that! Basil pesto sounds amazing with shrimp. Thanks for the tip!
Yummy!!! Srsly gonna make this again! I added some garlic and lemon juice which made it even better!!
I donât think zucchini can replace pasta, but it was okay. Might try again.
Iâm not usually a âzoodlesâ person, but this was actually satisfying. Shrimp cooks fast and the texture stayed nice.
Not gonna lie, pesto + shrimp is a weird combo to me, but it actually slaps. Would make again for a weeknight dinner.
Good recipe but my shrimp turned out rubbery! đ© Next time Iâll be quicker with the cooking.
The shrimp can definitely get rubbery if overcooked. Maybe try cooking them for just 1-2 minutes! đ
Loved it! The shrimp and pesto combo is to die for. Will definitely make it again!
Why do people always say 2-3 minutes âper sideâ like shrimp is the same size every time? Mine overcooked. Still tasty though.
5 stars! I eat shrimp all the time but never thought of this combo. Genius!
I’m glad you loved it! Shrimp and pesto is a perfect match. Did you add anything extra?
I canât believe people actually think this is a good substitute for pasta. It just doesnât satisfy my carb cravings!
Made this tonightâsuper quick and honestly so fresh tasting. The pesto really ties it together. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end and it was even better.
Hmm, didnât have shrimp so I used chicken and it turned out fine. I donât think Zoodles is my jam tho.
Glad you made it work with chicken! Zoodles can be tricky. Have you tried them with a different sauce?
Looks light but still satisfying. I was worried the zucchini would turn watery, but tossing it just until âjust tenderâ saved it.
This is genius for low-carb! I subbed the pesto for a homemade basil-cashew sauce and it was delicious. Eating it felt like a cheat meal.
Totally agreeâthis tastes like real pasta even though itâs zucchini. The pesto makes it feel like a cheat meal for sure đ
Loved this recipe! My kids didn’t even realize they were eating veggies!
This is life-changing! My kids loved it and didn’t even notice it was zucchini!! đ
Wow, that’s awesome to hear! Zucchini noodles are such a great way to sneak in veggies! đ„
I was skeptical about zucchini noodles staying âjust tender,â but timing worked out. Mine were a tiny bit softer than I wanted thoughâstill tasty.
Zucchini noodles? What are we, rabbits? đ No thanks!
5 stars. no notes.
Looks good! I did it with like regular pasta once and it was⊠meh. With the zucchini noodles it makes sense tho. Also 2-3 minutes seems fastâmine took closer to 5 but still tasty.
5 stars as wellâsuper simple and the shrimp + pesto combo is perfect with the zucchini noodles. Making this again for sure.
I used pre-made spiralized zucchini and it turned out softer than expected. Still edible, but âjust tenderâ is the key.
Good pointâpre-made zoodles can be softer/wetter. Iâve learned to cook them fast (and donât overdo the â2â3 minutesâ). âJust tenderâ is exactly it!
I’m not much of a cook, but this was easy to follow. Thanks for sharing!
Are you sure itâs that easy? Cooking shrimp seems tricky to me. I always mess it up!
I’m glad you found it easy! Zucchini noodles are such a healthy alternative. What do you think about the taste?
I only had small zucchini so I used more than 2, but it still came out great. Iâd recommend tasting before salting; my pesto was salty already.
Glad it worked! I also always taste before adding saltâpesto can be super salty depending on the brand.
This was so easy and delicious! My family loved it!
Pretty good, but I think 1/4 cup pesto might be a little low for my taste. I added extra and it tasted more like restaurant pesto shrimp.
Yum! So quick to make, just what I needed after a long day! đ
Meh! Shrimp is scary, they look like bugs đ±. But my girlfriend loved it! I might just stick to cheese.
Not bad. But my shrimp took longer than 2-3 mins per sideâcouldâve been bigger ones. Also mine got a little soggy even though I didnât overcook.
Maybe your pesto was too watery? đ I usually pat the shrimp dry first and I only cook the zucchini until itâs just warmâlike 60-90 seconds. If you let it simmer, it turns mushy fast.
I totally agreeâtiming depends a lot on the shrimp size/thickness. Iâve noticed if theyâre jumbo or thawed and a bit wet, 2â3 mins can be too short. Glad you didnât overcook, thoughâsoggy zucchini happens if they sit too long after cooking.
Pretty good, but my noodles were a bit too soft after 3 minutes. Next time Iâll do closer to 1-2 minutes and maybe salt the zucchini first.
Not bad, but I didn’t really like the texture of the zucchini noodles. Shrimp was good tho.
I totally get what you mean about the texture! Zucchini noodles can be a bit mushy if overcooked. Maybe try cooking them for a shorter time next time?
Zucchini noodles? Never heard of that. Can you even eat them like normal noodles? Sounds weird đ€.
Was a good dish but you need to be careful not to overcook the shrimp đ€š
Absolutely! Overcooked shrimp is the worst. A good tip is to take them off the heat as soon as they turn pink! đŠ
Easy and quick! My kids loved it too! Perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
No offense, but I don’t think this is real cooking. Just throwin’ stuff in a pan. Simple.
Too much oil! Made it greasy. Next time Iâll use less olive oil!
Okay, but like, can we leave out the shrimp? It’s a lotta calories and I prefer veggie-only dishes.
Made this last nightâsuper fast and the shrimp came out perfectly tender. I added a squeeze of lemon and it really brightened everything. The pesto is doing all the heavy lifting (in a good way).
Pretty tasty, but Iâd double the garlic or add some red pepper flakes. The pesto flavor was good, just a little flat for me.
Totally agreeâmine tasted a bit mild too. I doubled the garlic and it perked right up. Next time Iâll add a pinch of red pepper flakes as well.
I followed it exactly and thought the pesto was already strong, so I didnât add anything. Maybe my pesto brand was saltier, but it was still really good.
The zucchini noodles got mushy after 5 minutesâmaybe my heat was too high. The shrimp part was perfect.
THIS IS SO GOOD!!! My kids even ate their veggies. Iâm a hero today!
That sounds amazing! I’m gonna try it for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing!
I subbed chicken for shrimp (couldnât find shrimp). Still worked, but I guess the flavor profile changed a bit. Would make again with shrimp.
Waitâppl normally use shrimp for a reason đ But if it worked, cool. Did you cook the chicken longer than shrimp? I feel like 2-3 min would be too short.
Nice swap! Chicken will definitely change the flavor a bit, but Iâm glad it still came out good. Iâll have to try that when shrimpâs not available.
I don’t know about this recipe. Zucchini noodles? I’ve never heard of that before. Can’t be better than real pasta.
I don’t really like shrimp, so I swapped it out for chicken. Still turned out great! Thanks for the inspiration!
Not a fan of zucchini noodles, prefer regular pasta. Shrimp was good though!
This was okay, but I expected more flavor. Shrimp kinda overcooked too.
Zucchini? Like the green booger looking veggie? Not for me lol.
I donât have a spiralizer so I used a vegetable peeler and it worked. Kinda like ribbon noodles. Also, donât overcook the shrimpâmine got slightly rubbery.
Wow, this recipe is amazing! The shrimp cooked perfectly and the pesto gave it so much flavor. Definitely making this again!
Not bad, but it felt a little bland for me. Salt and pepper âto tasteâ is vagueâhad to add extra seasoning and garlic to make it pop.
I tried this but my shrimp got burnt. đ€Šââïž Maybe better instructions next time?
I had the same problem! Maybe try cooking the shrimp on a lower heat. They cook fast! đŠ
Burnt shrimp? You probably left it too long. Just follow the time, it’s pretty simple! đ
Can I use store-bought zucchini noodles? Ain’t nobody got time for spiralizing!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about cooking shrimp for only 2-3 minutes per side. But it workedâmaybe because mine were medium size.
I was skeptical tooâshrimp seems like itâd overcook that fast. Glad it worked for you! Iâve found medium/defrosted shrimp behave best with short cook times.
2-3 min per side still feels too quick⊠mine turned rubbery once đ maybe my pan was too hot or the shrimp was small? Also, do you add pesto off-heat? I think I cooked mine a bit and it tasted kinda burnt.
The zucchini got watery on me after about a minute. I think I overcrowded the pan. Still edible, just not as âjust tenderâ as the recipe claims.
Totally agreeâzucchini is basically water on standby đ If the panâs crowded, it steams instead of browning/tenderizing. Next time do it in smaller batches or cook a shorter time.
I had that too, but i think mine was because i used too small zucchini? also i kept it on high heat for longer than the 2-3 min and it went soggy. still good with extra pesto tho.
I followed it pretty closely and it came out great. My only tweak: I added a squeeze of lemon at the endâmade the pesto pop.
1 pound shrimp seems like a lotâdo you really need that much? I used about 12 oz and it was still good. Might be personal preference.
1 pound shrimp is a lot? I had to cook longer than 3 minutes a side because mine stayed translucent⊠maybe my pan wasnât hot enough. But once it worked, it was good!
3/5? I felt like it needed more garlic or lemon. Pesto is good but it tasted a bit flat without a squeeze of something acidic.
Tried this tonightâso fresh and light. The shrimp cooks up perfectly at 2â3 minutes per side, and the pesto makes it taste like way more effort than it was.