Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of guilt-free, mouthwatering pasta that's not only incredibly delicious but also completely diet-friendly! 🍤🥓 This Paleo Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Bacon recipe is about to revolutionize your dinner routine, offering a tantalizing blend of crispy bacon, succulent shrimp, and spiralized zucchini that will make you forget all about traditional carb-heavy pasta. Whether you're following a paleo lifestyle or simply looking to enjoy a lighter, more nutritious meal, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 8 oz shrimp
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the zucchinis thoroughly and trim the ends. Use a spiralizer or vegetable peeler to create long, thin noodle-like strands from the zucchinis. Set aside.
- Cut the bacon into small bite-sized pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy and golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Mince the garlic cloves finely. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add a drizzle of olive oil if needed.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside. In the same pan, add the zucchini noodles and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to overcook to maintain the noodles' texture.
- Return the cooked shrimp and crispy bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Quickly stir and heat through for another minute. Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Zucchini Noodle Perfection: Pat your zucchini noodles dry with paper towels after spiralizing to prevent excess moisture and ensure they don't become soggy.
- Shrimp Cooking Hack: Always buy fresh shrimp and pat them completely dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden sear.
- Bacon Crispiness: Cook bacon on medium heat to render fat evenly and achieve that perfect crispy texture without burning.
- Quick Cooking: Work quickly when sautéing zucchini noodles - they only need 2-3 minutes to maintain their al dente texture.
- Seasoning Secret: Don't be afraid to experiment with herbs like fresh basil or parsley to elevate the dish's flavor profile.
- Meal Prep Tip: You can spiralize zucchini and prepare ingredients ahead of time to make cooking faster and more convenient.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 190mg
