Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Goat Cheese: A Makeover

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a girly girl. Playing dolls and dress-up and beauty salon were my pastimes, and I’ve always had a love for all things pretty and pink. Speaking of pretty, I rarely leave the house without makeup (even if it’s just a little bit) and I’ve been known to triple- and quadruple check my outfits with Ben. When re-decorating, I often have an image in my head of just how I want my mantle arrangement to look, perfectly balanced in terms of height and colors. When I’m entertaining, table setting follows the same rules and silverware and glasses must be perfectly lined up where they’re supposed to be. Is it a crime to like things that look good? I think not.
And yet, we all have those pictures on our blogs. (At least, I hope it’s just not me.) You know the ones. You know the meal was fabulous but the blurry, discolored, or oddly composed picture might say otherwise. It’s ok, you didn’t know what you were doing at the time. Now that you’re older, wiser, and a little more in tune with your camera, it’s perfectly ok to play a game of makeover.

This isn’t the first recipe I’ve touched-up. And I hope you don’t mind – since I’ve been blogging for over three years now, it’s sometimes hard to come up with new recipes. But now that I’ve gotten a little better with camera, going back to some of my old stuff can be just as fun. Plus, if you’re a new reader, you might not even notice some of my older entries, but I think they deserve to be gussied-up and shared with you.

The first rendition of this recipe was written for just one serving since I made it on a solo-night. Now Ben has had the chance to enjoy it a few times too, so I re-wrote it to make enough for two. I also used an entire 1/2 pound of shrimp for just one serving last time, but I was on a serious protein kick with my weight-lifting at the time. I’ve cut back my calories a bit, so the new recipe calls for 6oz of shrimp per person- more like what a normal person eats.

This is a light and healthy meal I’ll never tire of eating, and I had a lot of fun playing makeover with it πŸ™‚

Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp & Goat Cheese
Printable Recipe

1 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves minced garlic
12 oz raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined
freshly ground salt & pepper
14oz can diced tomatoes
pinch of crushed red pepper
1 tsp chopped fresh basil
400gm grated zucchini (from about 3-4 zucchini)*
2 oz goat cheese

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the shrimp and garlic. Cook the shrimp for about 1 minute on each side, until just opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan. Add the tomatoes, crushed red pepper, and basil. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute over medium heat until slightly softened, about 3 minutes, then add the shrimp and heat through, about 1-2 minutes more. Serve with crumbled goat cheese.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 390.1
Total Fat: 13.7 g
Cholesterol: 268.0 mg
Sodium: 517.1 mg
Total Carbs: 24.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 7.0 g
Protein: 43.4 g

* To grate the zucchini into long thin strips, many people use a spiralizer. That’s a nifty looking gadget that I don’t have! I just use a zester like this one:

Ironically, I find it completely un-useful for citrus zest and much prefer a microplane zester for that. But it’s absolutely perfect for zucchini noodles!
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62 Responses to “Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp and Goat Cheese: A Makeover”

  1. 1

    Shanon — April 8, 2010 @ 2:41 pm Reply

    YUM. i am thinking this would be great with spaghetti squash too. you had me at goat cheese. i have a serious problem.

  2. 2

    ChubbyNewlywed — April 8, 2010 @ 3:33 pm Reply

    Ah, goat cheese! Oh how I love it so. This looks like the perfect recipe to cook for a pescetarian pal who also loves goat cheese. Thanks for sharing.

  3. 3

    Steph Chung — April 8, 2010 @ 5:01 pm Reply

    Never tried zucchini noodles before, sounds really interesting! I'll love to try this recipe, but I'm not a big fan of goat cheese though. What other cheese would you recommend to replace the goat cheese (and still retain the delicious flavours)?

  4. 4

    Cara — April 8, 2010 @ 5:03 pm Reply

    Hi Steph! I really like feta with shrimp, or even just grated parmesan or pecorino. Or just leave the cheese off if you're not a fan πŸ™‚

  5. 5

    Kalyn — April 9, 2010 @ 1:02 am Reply

    Love the sound of this!

  6. 6

    Josie — April 9, 2010 @ 2:28 am Reply

    This sounds great, Cara! I'm bookmarking this for when I'm up to my ears in zucchini this summer. Love the new look of your blog, too!

  7. 7

    Taste of Beirut — April 9, 2010 @ 2:40 am Reply

    CaraSince I did not know your blog no did I ever touch my screen 3 years ago, I am really glad you did your retouching and that recipe is going to be in my files from now on!

  8. 8

    Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — April 9, 2010 @ 4:05 am Reply

    oh you know i love my zuke noods, they are the BEST. My hubs would ADORE the shrimp too. I am anaphalactic to shrimp and could actually die from them πŸ™‚ so i will be avoiding those! GREAT EATS!!

  9. 9

    preventionrd.com — April 9, 2010 @ 2:27 pm Reply

    Cara! You seriously have THE best recipes! And your pictures just seal the deal! I'll be making this next week and my husband says thank you in advance!Have a great weekend, girl!

  10. 10

    Erica T — April 9, 2010 @ 3:11 pm Reply

    Oh wow! This look great!

  11. 11

    Cherine — April 9, 2010 @ 5:48 pm Reply

    This post has been removed by the author.

  12. 12

    Cherine — April 9, 2010 @ 5:49 pm Reply

    This looks delicious! Never had shrimps and goat cheese! Looks interesting!

  13. 13

    Bridget — April 9, 2010 @ 7:51 pm Reply

    Some of my old posts could definitely use a makeover. I've been worried that readers won't like it, but since I like with other bloggers do it, I should probably just go ahead and start updating.

  14. 14

    Thinspired — April 9, 2010 @ 10:04 pm Reply

    This looks absolutely delicious, Cara! I need to get a mandolin or spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. Is that what you use/recommend?Anything with shrimp and cheese and I'm IN! πŸ™‚

  15. 15

    Kathleen — April 10, 2010 @ 1:55 am Reply

    This sounds wonderfully satisfying!

  16. 16

    Shannon — April 10, 2010 @ 1:59 am Reply

    3 years?! that's awesome πŸ™‚ and what a delicious recipe! i was recently looking through my old photos and posts… wow! so glad I can see improvements πŸ™‚

  17. 17

    Cara — April 10, 2010 @ 3:57 am Reply

    Good question Lara! I actually just use a zester and I will update the post to show exactly what kind – I should have done that in the first place!

  18. 18

    grace — April 11, 2010 @ 12:22 am Reply

    i'm soooo not a girly girl–i've been called a tomboy by just about everyone who's ever met me. that said, i'm also a person who's gone back and redone a few posts here and there. :)this is an interesting dish, cara–those zuke noodles are all kinds of awesome. you can bring this one back as often as you want!

  19. 19

    Emily — April 11, 2010 @ 7:19 am Reply

    Wow, this sounds like my kind of dish! It sounds very flavorful.

  20. 20

    Christie @ Honoring Health — April 11, 2010 @ 11:24 am Reply

    Oh my goodness, does that ever look delicious! Thanks for sharing.

  21. 21

    marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — April 11, 2010 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I can always tell you have a great attention to detail. Your zucchini pasta dish looks wonderful. I love that you sub in the veggie for the pasta, so much more my thing. The new pics are looking great!

  22. 22

    Shanon — April 14, 2010 @ 2:31 am Reply

    cara, i made this! already!it was so yummy! we loved it!http://foodforscot.blogspot.com/2010/04/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.htmli talk a little bit about what i found worked best for what i have to grate the zucchini.

  23. 23

    Shanon — April 14, 2010 @ 2:31 am Reply

    This post has been removed by the author.

  24. 24

    Lizzy — April 15, 2010 @ 12:44 am Reply

    OMG Cara. I just made this dish and it was unbelievable!!! It was a little challenging spiralizing the zucchini but totally worth it. I added in a tablespoon or two of home-made pesto too…. mmmmm…. thanks for being so creative!

  25. 25

    quarterlifewellness — May 14, 2010 @ 3:43 am Reply

    I made this tonight and it was AWESOME!!! My parents are in town so I whipped it up for them and it was quite a hit. Thanks so much for sharing!

  26. 26

    quarterlifewellness — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    I made this tonight and it was AWESOME!!! My parents are in town so I whipped it up for them and it was quite a hit. Thanks so much for sharing!

  27. 27

    quarterlifewellness — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    I made this tonight and it was AWESOME!!! My parents are in town so I whipped it up for them and it was quite a hit. Thanks so much for sharing!

  28. 28

    Lizzy — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    OMG Cara. I just made this dish and it was unbelievable!!! It was a little challenging spiralizing the zucchini but totally worth it. I added in a tablespoon or two of home-made pesto too…. mmmmm…. thanks for being so creative!

  29. 29

    Lizzy — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    OMG Cara. I just made this dish and it was unbelievable!!! It was a little challenging spiralizing the zucchini but totally worth it. I added in a tablespoon or two of home-made pesto too…. mmmmm…. thanks for being so creative!

  30. 30

    Shanon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    cara, i made this! already!it was so yummy! we loved it!http://foodforscot.blogspot.com/2010/04/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.htmli talk a little bit about what i found worked best for what i have to grate the zucchini.

  31. 31

    Shanon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    cara, i made this! already!it was so yummy! we loved it!http://foodforscot.blogspot.com/2010/04/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.htmli talk a little bit about what i found worked best for what i have to grate the zucchini.

  32. 32

    marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    I can always tell you have a great attention to detail. Your zucchini pasta dish looks wonderful. I love that you sub in the veggie for the pasta, so much more my thing. The new pics are looking great!

  33. 33

    marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    I can always tell you have a great attention to detail. Your zucchini pasta dish looks wonderful. I love that you sub in the veggie for the pasta, so much more my thing. The new pics are looking great!

  34. 34

    Christie @ Honoring Health — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Oh my goodness, does that ever look delicious! Thanks for sharing.

  35. 35

    Christie @ Honoring Health — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Oh my goodness, does that ever look delicious! Thanks for sharing.

  36. 36

    Emily — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Wow, this sounds like my kind of dish! It sounds very flavorful.

  37. 37

    grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    i'm soooo not a girly girl–i've been called a tomboy by just about everyone who's ever met me. that said, i'm also a person who's gone back and redone a few posts here and there. :)this is an interesting dish, cara–those zuke noodles are all kinds of awesome. you can bring this one back as often as you want!

  38. 38

    Cara — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Good question Lara! I actually just use a zester and I will update the post to show exactly what kind – I should have done that in the first place!

  39. 39

    Shannon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    3 years?! that's awesome πŸ™‚ and what a delicious recipe! i was recently looking through my old photos and posts… wow! so glad I can see improvements πŸ™‚

  40. 40

    Kathleen — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    This sounds wonderfully satisfying!

  41. 41

    Thinspired — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    This looks absolutely delicious, Cara! I need to get a mandolin or spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. Is that what you use/recommend?Anything with shrimp and cheese and I'm IN! πŸ™‚

  42. 42

    Bridget — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Some of my old posts could definitely use a makeover. I've been worried that readers won't like it, but since I like with other bloggers do it, I should probably just go ahead and start updating.

  43. 43

    Cherine — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    This looks delicious! Never had shrimps and goat cheese! Looks interesting!

  44. 44

    Erica T — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Oh wow! This look great!

  45. 45

    preventionrd.com — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Cara! You seriously have THE best recipes! And your pictures just seal the deal! I'll be making this next week and my husband says thank you in advance!Have a great weekend, girl!

  46. 46

    Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — March 28, 2011 @ 8:52 pm Reply

    oh you know i love my zuke noods, they are the BEST. My hubs would ADORE the shrimp too. I am anaphalactic to shrimp and could actually die from them πŸ™‚ so i will be avoiding those! GREAT EATS!!

  47. 47

    Shanon — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    cara, i made this! already!it was so yummy! we loved it!http://foodforscot.blogspot.com/2010/04/zucchini-noodles-with-shrimp-and-goat.htmli talk a little bit about what i found worked best for what i have to grate the zucchini.

  48. 48

    Lizzy — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    OMG Cara. I just made this dish and it was unbelievable!!! It was a little challenging spiralizing the zucchini but totally worth it. I added in a tablespoon or two of home-made pesto too…. mmmmm…. thanks for being so creative!

  49. 49

    Shannon — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    3 years?! that's awesome πŸ™‚ and what a delicious recipe! i was recently looking through my old photos and posts… wow! so glad I can see improvements πŸ™‚

  50. 50

    Thinspired — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    This looks absolutely delicious, Cara! I need to get a mandolin or spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. Is that what you use/recommend?Anything with shrimp and cheese and I'm IN! πŸ™‚

  51. 51

    Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    oh you know i love my zuke noods, they are the BEST. My hubs would ADORE the shrimp too. I am anaphalactic to shrimp and could actually die from them πŸ™‚ so i will be avoiding those! GREAT EATS!!

  52. 52

    Josie — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    This sounds great, Cara! I'm bookmarking this for when I'm up to my ears in zucchini this summer. Love the new look of your blog, too!

  53. 53

    ChubbyNewlywed — March 29, 2011 @ 2:04 am Reply

    Ah, goat cheese! Oh how I love it so. This looks like the perfect recipe to cook for a pescetarian pal who also loves goat cheese. Thanks for sharing.

  54. 54

    ChubbyNewlywed — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    Ah, goat cheese! Oh how I love it so. This looks like the perfect recipe to cook for a pescetarian pal who also loves goat cheese. Thanks for sharing.

  55. 55

    Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    oh you know i love my zuke noods, they are the BEST. My hubs would ADORE the shrimp too. I am anaphalactic to shrimp and could actually die from them πŸ™‚ so i will be avoiding those! GREAT EATS!!

  56. 56

    Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    oh you know i love my zuke noods, they are the BEST. My hubs would ADORE the shrimp too. I am anaphalactic to shrimp and could actually die from them πŸ™‚ so i will be avoiding those! GREAT EATS!!

  57. 57

    Bridget — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    Some of my old posts could definitely use a makeover. I've been worried that readers won't like it, but since I like with other bloggers do it, I should probably just go ahead and start updating.

  58. 58

    Steph Chung — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    Never tried zucchini noodles before, sounds really interesting! I'll love to try this recipe, but I'm not a big fan of goat cheese though. What other cheese would you recommend to replace the goat cheese (and still retain the delicious flavours)?

  59. 59

    Shanon — April 5, 2011 @ 1:14 am Reply

    YUM. i am thinking this would be great with spaghetti squash too. you had me at goat cheese. i have a serious problem.

  60. 60

    Austin — December 21, 2011 @ 4:28 am Reply

    I've used that tool to make cucumber noodles, which I'll serve with a diced melon salad… really great

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