Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash
Everyone’s favorite shrimp scampi with a low-carb, healthier alternative to pasta using spaghetti squash! It’s still amazingly buttery and garlicky with half the calories!
Butters was feeling under the weather today so he skipped daycare and stayed at home with me.
Which was probably not the best idea.
He threw up on the clean linens. While I was sleeping actually.
That was fun to wake up to.
So I went and ran a quick errand to grab a classic glazed yeast-raised donut from down the street.
You know, to get through the throw-up-linen-stress.
Shortly after, I made shrimp scampi for dinner.
But swapped out the pasta for spaghetti squash.
You know, to balance out that donut from earlier.
Because guys.
We have half the calories here, yet the shrimp is still perfectly buttery and garlicky.
And we’re not giving up the freshly grated Parm either.
Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
For the spaghetti squash
- 1 2-3 pounds spaghetti squash
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise from stem to tail and scrape out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place squash, cut-side down, onto the prepared baking dish. Place into oven and roast until tender, about 35-45 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest until cool enough to handle.
- Using a fork, scrape the flesh to create long strands.
- Season shrimp with paprika, salt and pepper, to taste.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add shrimp, garlic and shallot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pink, about 2-3 minutes; set aside and keep warm.
- Add squash and spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is heated through and the spinach has wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in basil and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately, topped with shrimp and garnished with Parmesan, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
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This was delicious!!!! I did not have basil so I sprinkled some Thyme as the spinach and spaghetti squash were sautéing. The shrimp was so tasty and you weren’t kidding when you said every ounce was full of flavor. Plus super healthy 🙂 and satisfying.
Honestly I thought it would be kind of boring but it’s an explosion of flavours!! Will definitely make again! So healthy too!
THANK YOU for this WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS recipe! I made it as written with one exception: My grocery did not have any fresh basil today – so I used an equal amount of freeze-dried basil. I am looking forward to using fresh basil when my garden grows! The flavors in the dish were outstanding. Don’t leave out the freshly squeezed lemon – it adds a delightful brightness. This dish was so good that my husband said, “I certainly hope there are leftovers!” Thank you again.
This is so delicious. The flavors are so good. I will make the many more times!!!
Thank you!!!
Made this last night.
It was wonderful.
With spaghetti squash I spray it with olive oil so I never use the amount called for when cooking it.
(Less calories)
Also added 1/2 tsp more lemon juice.
Do you have a calorie and nutrition content for this?
(My diet is calorie based with a certain amount of protein, carbs & fats per day.) Having a breakdown is important to me.
This was delicious! I didn’t have spinach and served roasted asparagus on the side. I followed the recipe exactly. This is a winner!
This is absolutely delicious!!! Loved it!
This was absolutely amazing! This was the first time I’ve had Shrimp Scampi with Spaghetti Squash and WOW . I’m really coming around to spaghetti squash here recently and this was the best recipe of the others we’ve tried . Everyone of your recipes I’ve made have been great . I didn’t have fresh Basil so I added just a bit of chicken broth to rehydrate our dried basil from our garden & a pinch of crushed red pepper. Incredible! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us.
Very tasty! I’ve always microwaved my spaghetti squash, so not sure if the extra EVOO is necessary. The baked and micro squash are nearly the same in taste. Enjoyed it very much!
Made this tonight; only 3 months eating low carb. Thought it was edible, but do miss pasta :-). Thank you for this alternative. The house smells delish. Did add garlic salt after plated.
My husband and I started a low carb diet due to his health 3 weeks ago. I happened to have a spaghetti squash laying around. I looked at recipes and came across this one. Made it tonight, IT WAS BEYOND AMAZING!!! I altered the recipe a tad by adding scallops plus shrimp. I didn’t have the smoked paprika so I used Chipotle seasoning… the dish came out with a great flavor and some bite but was AMAZING!!! MY HUSBAND LOVED IT!!!
This was delicious with little change to the recipe. I only seasoned the squash a bit with a garlic seasoning mix and olive oil to sauté!
Wow – this was delicious! I love spaghetti squash and this recipe is easy, flavorful and healthy!
This is so delicious. I made it for dinner the first time and my wife flipped over this as she loves shrimp. Since then we have saved this dish to guests and they all raved over it and ask for the recipe.
Incredibly delicious. Followed the recipe exactly except that I substituted a lesser amount of dried basil for fresh. Daydreaming about the leftovers tomorrow.
Love this recipe. I’ve made similar recipes before but with red chili pepper flakes. The smoked paprika in this recipe is much better!
Amazing!
I’ve made this recipe twice now and both times it turned out delicious! I should also note that this recipe was super easy to double and make a larger batch for a dinner party. Thanks for a healthy, easy, and delicious recipe!
Most delicious! I squeezed a touch more lemon juice on mine. Made it pop! I’m always on the lookout for spaghetti squash recipes. This one did not fail. I didn’t have fresh basil so added a touch of dried. Fresh would have been better.
Damn Delicious, indeed. Quick, easy and so tasty. I added extra paprika, seasoned salt and chile flakes throughout the way for a bit of a kick. Wow, that lemon adds so much flavour. Finally, we skipped the parmesan, but cannot wait to try it next time!