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Light Zucchini Noodles Dish

Zucchini Noodles with Garlic Prawns

A light and healthy pasta alternative, these zucchini noodles are tossed with garlic, chilli, and succulent king prawns in a lemon-butter sauce. A quick, flavorful, and low-carb main course.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 545

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large courgettes about 600g total
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • ¼ tsp red chilli flakes or to taste
  • 250 g raw king prawns peeled and deveined
  • 50 g unsalted butter
  • Juice of ½ a large lemon about 2 tbsp
  • A small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 30 g Parmesan cheese finely grated, for serving

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Zoodles: Using a spiralizer, turn your courgettes into noodles. If you don't have one, you can use a julienne peeler or even a standard vegetable peeler to create long, thin ribbons. Place the zucchini noodles in a colander, sprinkle generously with the 1 tsp of sea salt, and toss to combine. Let them sit in the sink for 10-15 minutes. The salt will draw out excess water.
  2. Squeeze the Zoodles: After resting, gently squeeze handfuls of the zucchini noodles to remove as much water as possible. This is the most important step to prevent a watery sauce! Set the drained noodles aside on a clean tea towel.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics: Place a large frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once it's shimmering, add the sliced garlic and red chilli flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn a pale golden colour. Be very careful not to let it burn, or it will become bitter.
  4. Cook the Prawns: Add the dried prawns to the pan in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are pink and opaque. They cook very quickly, so keep a close eye on them.
  5. Create the Sauce: Once the prawns are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and lemon juice to the pan. Swirl the pan as the butter melts to create a glossy, emulsified sauce that coats the prawns.
  6. Combine Everything: Add the drained zucchini noodles and the chopped parsley to the pan. Using tongs, toss everything together gently but quickly for just 1-2 minutes. I find that this is just enough time to heat the zoodles through without them becoming soft or mushy. We want them to retain a slight al dente bite.
  7. Serve Immediately: Remove the pan from the heat. Divide the zucchini noodles and prawns between two warm bowls. Top with a generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese and an extra twist of black pepper.

Notes

The key to a non-watery dish is to thoroughly salt and squeeze the zucchini noodles to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking.