This keto Tuscan shrimp skillet is an all-in-one dish that's deliciously addictive and creamy, low in carbs, high in protein and takes just 15 minutes to make. You won't regret making this easy keto weeknight recipe!
Keto Tuscan shrimp skillet is one awesome weeknight dinner! Really, you can't go wrong with this one. First off, it's screams yummy, comfort food since it's creamy, garlicky, and so satisfying. Plus, it's nutritious, low in carbs (just 6 net carbs per serving) and high in protein (45% protein by calories). And last but not least — you're whole dinner is done in 15 minutes with just one pan.
This all-in-one dish is filling (more than a half pound of shrimp per person!) and requires no sides. Simply serve as is and dinner is done!
Increasing The Protein
To make this creamy keto Tuscan shrimp high in protein, we:
- minimized the heavy cream. Heavy cream is high in calories and fat, but low in protein. Therefore, the percent of protein from calories in cream is quite low. To make this dish higher in protein, we reduced the amount of heavy cream and increased other higher-in-protein, lower-in-calorie ingredients. We found that even when we reduced the amount of heavy cream, we still had some left in the pan when done. Since this dish isn't being served over zoodles or cauliflower rice, you really don't really need that much sauce.
- increased the spinach. Spinach is low in calories and high in protein. And, even when you add a full, 5-ounce carton of spinach, it seems like a minimal amount after cooking and shrinking in size.
- increased the shrimp per serving. We notice that many recipes give you less than a half pound of shrimp per serving. This not only reduces the percent of protein (as shrimp is low in calories and high in protein), but it can leave you feeling hungry. Therefore, we increased the amount of shrimp to a little over a half pound per person, which increases the percent of protein and is more likely to leave you feeling full.
Key ingredients
This creamy keto Tuscan shrimp is made with just 8 ingredients. Just a few notes on key ingredients:
- Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp in this dish. We use peeled, deveined and tail-on shrimp, but you can purchase shrimp without the tail for easier eating. If frozen, thaw shrimp according to bag instructions. This recipes calls for a little more than a pound of shrimp for two people, which makes it high in protein and quite filling.
- Spinach: This keto Tuscan shrimp with spinach uses a full 5-ounce container of spinach. It may seem like a lot, but when it cooks down, the amount is rather minimal. Plus, spinach is low in carbs!
- Grape tomatoes: Sweet, juicy grape tomatoes add a lot of flavor to the dish. You can use cherry tomatoes, although they're a little higher in carbs. You could also replace the grape tomatoes with ¼ cup of sun-dried tomatoes.
How to Make
This easy weeknight recipe is nearly fool-proof! The steps to making this quick keto Tuscan shrimp include:
STEP 1 - COOK SHRIMP: If using frozen shrimp, defrost shrimp according to bag instructions. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt one tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook until opaque, about 3 or so minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside on separate plate.
STEP 2- COOK TOMATOES: Return the skillet to medium heat, and melt the other tablespoon of butter. Add grape tomatoes and cook until softened, about 3 or 4 minutes. Gently smash tomatoes to release juices.
STEP 3 - ADD SPINACH: Add spinach in batches and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season tomatoes and spinach with salt and pepper.
STEP 4 - COMBINE REST OF INGREDIENTS: Add heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Stir and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Return shrimp back to pan. Stir until heated, about a minute or so more. Serve immediately.
Recipe FAQ
Despite being technically a fruit, grape tomatoes are fairly low in carbs (about 3.4 net carbs per 100g) and can be eaten in a low-carb or keto diet unless you have a very strict daily carb target.
Yes, but you'll have to use a smaller amount if you want to keep it low carb and high protein. For example, replacing the 1 cup of grape tomatoes with ¼ cup of jarred sun dried tomatoes, will reduce the protein percentage to 40% and increase the net carbs to 10g per serving. Overall, this would still be a high protein meal and low carb unless you are on a very strict carb target.
Yes, you can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If you use frozen, be sure to thaw according to bag instruction. We use peeled, deveined and tail-on shrimp. However, you can purchase shrimp without the tail, which can make it easier to eat.
MORE ABOUT HIGH-PROTEIN MEALS
We love high-protein meals since they help keep you full for longer periods of time. Therefore, you’re less likely to overeat or snack between meals. Wikipedia defines a high protein diet as more than 20% of calories from protein while Diet Doctor uses 25% go 35% of calories. For more about high protein, Diet Doctor has an extensive guide to high-protein meals.
RELATED RECIPES
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Recipe
Tuscan Shrimp Skillet (High Protein / Keto)
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds medium-size raw shrimp peeled, deveined and tail-on, thawed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic gloves minced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 5 ounces baby spinach organic
- ⅓ cup of heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmesan grated
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook shrimp: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt one tablespoon butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside on separate plate.
- Make sauce: Return skillet to medium heat and melt the other tablespoon of butter. Add grape tomatoes and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Gently smash tomatoes to release juices. Add spinach in batches and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season tomatoes and spinach with salt and pepper. Add heavy cream and parmesan. Stir to combine and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Return shrimp back to pan. Stir until heated, about a minute or so. Serve immediately.
This was simple to make. The results were fabulous. My husband said to keep this recipe for future use. Hats off to the chef!!
Glad hubby liked it!
Simple and delish
Glad it worked out!