Shrimp Scampi: compare the 2 variations

Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.

Which should I make?

  • Easiest With LinguineEasy like the other, but 7 steps against 10.
  • Lightest Zucchini NoodlesAbout 260 calories a serving, against 610 calories for the other (an estimate).
  • Least cleanup Zucchini NoodlesOne thing to wash: stainless skillet.
  • Gluten-free Zucchini NoodlesThe only one that fits gluten-free, going by the ingredient lines.

Side by side

With LinguineZucchini Noodles
Total time25 min25 min
Prep10 min15 min
LevelEasyEasy
Steps710
Serves44
Key ingredientslinguine, large shrimp and dry white wine or chicken brothzucchini, large shrimp and dry white wine or chicken broth
Only in this onelinguinezucchini and lemon zest
DietaryHigh-ProteinGluten-FreeKeto / Low-CarbHigh-Protein
Calories610260
Protein34 g26 g
Carbs66 g9 g
Fat20 g13 g
Cleanup3/5 3 things to wash5/5 1 thing to wash
Kid helperNoNo

Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.

How we pick

  • Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
  • Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
  • Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
  • Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
  • Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
  • Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.

A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.

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