• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Low Carb Simplified

  • Recipe Index
  • Product Reviews
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Product Reviews
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Dinner Recipes » Keto Tuscan Shrimp Skillet (High Protein)

    Keto Tuscan Shrimp Skillet (High Protein)

    Published: Sep 5, 2021 by Low-Carb Simplified · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Cooked shrimp with spinach, grape tomatoes, in heavy parmesan sauce in a skillet.

    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.

    Shrimp and garlic cooking in pan with butter.
    Grape tomatoes smashed and cooking in pan.

    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.

    Grape tomatoes and spinach cooking in pan.
    All the Tuscan shrimp ingredients cooking in pan.

    Recipe FAQ

    Are grape tomatoes low-carb or keto friendly?

    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.

    Can I replace the tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes?

    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.

    Can I use frozen shrimp?

    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

    • Spinach Crab Artichoke Dip
    • Hamachi Crudo with Citrus Soy Dressing
    • Spicy Oyster Vinaigrette (Spicy Mignonette) with Raw Oysters
    • Is Smoked Salmon Keto? A Guide & Recipes

    If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

    Tuscan Shrimp Skillet (High Protein / Keto)

    Low-Carb Simplified
    This keto Tuscan shrimp is an all-in-one dish that's deliciously creamy, low in carbs, high in protein and takes just 15 minutes to make!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Dinner Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 580 kcal

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 8.4gProtein: 65.3gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 18.5gCholesterol: 548mgSodium: 605.4mgFiber: 2.3gSugar: 1.7gNet Carbs: 6.1gProtein Percentage: 45%
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Low Carb Broiled Japanese Eggplant with Spicy Soy Glaze (Just 15 Minutes!)
    Chimichurri Chicken Cutlets (High-Protein / Keto) »

    Like this recipe?

    Follow us for more yummy recipes!
    Instagram Pinterest Facebook

    When you make a recipe, don’t forget to tag us so we can see how it turned out! Tag @lowcarbsimplified on Instagram or use #lowcarbsimplified on any social media.

     

     

    DISCLAIMER: We do not engage in brand partnerships nor do we accept free products. We only review and recommend the products we enjoy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy

      February 15, 2023 at 2:11 am

      This was simple to make. The results were fabulous. My husband said to keep this recipe for future use. Hats off to the chef!!

      Reply
      • Low-Carb Simplified

        February 15, 2023 at 3:36 am

        Glad hubby liked it!

        Reply
    2. Laraine

      September 08, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      Simple and delish

      Reply
      • Low-Carb Simplified

        September 08, 2022 at 9:27 pm

        Glad it worked out!

        Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! We are Cathy and Ishan, the creators of Low Carb Simplified. Our site features quick and healthy low-carb and keto recipes that are all 8 ingredients or less. These no-fuss recipes are for those who have little time to cook but still want healthy and delicious food.

    More about us →

    Popular Recipes

    • One-Pan, Keto Mexican Chicken Skillet
    • The Best Keto Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
    • Crispy Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders
    • Keto Butter Pecan Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami

    Our Blog

    • Medical Community Response to the Erythritol Heart Attack and Stroke Study
    • Tasty Low Carb & Keto Game Day Snacks
    • 10 Keto Valentine's Day Gifts for a Special Someone

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Privacy Policy

    |

    Contact Us

    Copyright © 2023 Low Carb Simplified