Delicious Shrimp and Zucchini Skillet

Category: Lunch

This one-pan dish brings juicy shrimp and tender zucchini together in a creamy Parmesan sauce. First, sauté garlic and onions to get a rich flavor going. Then add a touch of red pepper flakes to warm things up a bit. Fresh parsley and lemon juice give the dish a nice pop of brightness. It’s a quick and tasty dinner that mixes simple ingredients with rich and fresh flavors.

Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 19:04:01 GMT
Skillet filled with shrimp and zucchini in creamy Parmesan sauce. Save
Skillet filled with shrimp and zucchini in creamy Parmesan sauce. | chefsnaps.com

This zucchini and shrimp dish in creamy Parmesan sauce comes together fast and hits the spot on busy nights. It mixes tender shrimp, fresh zucchini, and a rich sauce all cooked in one pan for a healthy meal that's simple and tasty.

I whipped this up when I wanted something a bit fancy but easy. It quickly became a favorite since it feels special but takes hardly any time.

What You’ll Need

How to Cook It

Shrimp and zucchini cooking in a skillet.
Shrimp and zucchini cooking in a skillet. | chefsnaps.com

This dish gets lots of praise at dinner and always leaves people asking for more.

How to Keep Leftovers

Mix It Up

Best Things to Serve

A skillet filled with shrimp and zucchini.
A skillet filled with shrimp and zucchini. | chefsnaps.com

Every bite feels like a cozy meal you’d get at a restaurant but made easily right at home. It turns a simple dinner into something special and comforting.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What prep does the shrimp need before cooking?

Go with large shrimp that’s peeled and deveined. Drying them off helps them brown well when you cook them in the pan.

→ Is there a lighter option than heavy cream?

You can swap in half-and-half if you want a sauce that’s a bit lighter. It won’t be as creamy but still tasty.

→ How do I cook the zucchini just right?

Cut the zucchini into even slices and cook it in the pan till it’s soft but still has a little crunch—around 5 to 7 minutes usually does the trick.

→ How do the flavors come together in this dish?

Starting with garlic and onions in the pan makes a great base. Parmesan adds creaminess and depth. Then lemon juice and parsley brighten everything up to balance out the richness.

→ Can I add other veggies here?

Definitely! Toss in veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes along with the zucchini to add different tastes and textures.

→ What goes well as a side for this skillet?

This dish works great with rice, pasta, or crusty bread that soaks up the creamy sauce and pairs well with the shrimp and veggies.

Shrimp Zucchini Creamy

Tender zucchini and juicy shrimp cooked together in a cheesy Parmesan sauce for a fuss-free meal in one pan.

Preparation Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Lunch

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: Suitable for Low-Carb Diets, Free From Gluten

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Seafood

01 450 g big shrimp, peeled and cleaned

→ Vegetables

02 3 minced garlic cloves
03 About 1/2 cup chopped onion
04 Sliced zucchinis, 2 medium
05 Chopped fresh parsley
06 Cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup, optional
07 Lemon wedges for serving

→ Liquids

08 1/4 cup chicken broth
09 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Dairy

11 Grated Parmesan, about 35 g

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional
13 Salt, use as much as you like
14 Black pepper, to taste

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Sprinkle salt and black pepper on the shrimp. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium. Cook shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side till they turn opaque. Take them out and set aside.

Step 02

Using the same skillet, cook chopped onion for about 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Toss in minced garlic and cook just 30 seconds until you get a nice smell.

Step 03

Put in the zucchini slices and optional cherry tomatoes. Let them cook for 5 to 7 minutes so they get tender but still have some bite.

Step 04

Pour chicken broth into the pan and bring it to a slow simmer.

Step 05

Stir heavy cream, Parmesan, and if you want, red pepper flakes into the simmering mix. Keep it on the heat for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens up a bit.

Step 06

Put the shrimp back into the sauce, mix gently so everything’s coated. Top with parsley and squeeze lemon over before serving warm.

Helpful Tips

  1. To make it lighter, swap heavy cream for half-and-half. Feel free to toss in bell peppers or mushrooms too. Try it with pasta, rice, or a piece of crusty bread.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Frying pan

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has shellfish and dairy

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 380
  • Fat Content: 22 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 15 grams
  • Protein Content: 35 grams