One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach Recipe
This One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach recipe offers a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender shrimp with nutritious spinach in a garlicky, lemony pan sauce. Perfect for a healthy Mediterranean-inspired meal, it cooks entirely on the stovetop for convenience and minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 4 cups)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Diabetic
Ingredients
Shrimp & Spinach
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 6 medium cloves garlic, sliced, divided
- 1 pound spinach
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus ⅛ teaspoon, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pound shrimp (21-30 count), peeled and deveined
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1½ teaspoons lemon zest
Instructions
- Cook Garlic and Spinach: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add half of the sliced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until beginning to brown. Add 1 pound of spinach and ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss to coat and cook, stirring once or twice, until the spinach is mostly wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice, then transfer the spinach mixture to a bowl and keep warm.
- Cook Garlic and Shrimp: Increase heat to medium-high and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the same pot. Add the remaining garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to brown. Add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Stir and cook shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes until they turn opaque, pink-orange in color, and curl slightly but are still tender.
- Combine and Serve: Serve the cooked shrimp over the warm garlicky spinach. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley and 1½ teaspoons lemon zest to brighten the dish. Enjoy as is or alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Use wild-caught shrimp for a sweeter flavor and better texture, but farm-raised shrimp works well and is more economical.
- Shrimp are done when they turn pink-orange, become opaque, and curl slightly (not completely into an 'O').
- Serve with spaghetti, orzo, brown rice, or crusty bread to complete the meal.
- For extra flavor, add Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like basil or chives.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
