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Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta {Paleo}

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 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! Gluten free seafood pumpkin spaghetti squash pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lighter version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

Once you start with pumpkin, or spaghetti squash pasta for that matter, you just can’t stop. Like for reals. Toss some buttery scallops in with this obsession and you got yourself heaven on plate….. errr pasta bowl?? Whatever plating you so choose, it’s heaven. And as mentioned Monday, I’m officially ready for pumpkin. But that’s not the only thing we’re ready for.

Yep, you guessed it. Squash-mania!! The fact that God made several different squash varieties makes me happy. I thank Him daily. Haha. I also thank Him for creating genius people who share their spaghetti squash pasta cooking hacks. More on this in a minute.

So, let’s talk about this dish, cause I am pretty sure you’re thinking…. “Oh I love me some spaghetti squash, but this recipe sounds too complicated.” Am I right? Don’t worry, I get it.

And I’m here to tell you that I’ve found a super easy way to make spaghetti squash pasta without all that stringy mess. Or without it turning into mushy pasta.

Okay I borrowed the idea/hack, but you get my point.

I’d also like you to know that the pumpkin sauce and scallops took all of 10 minutes to make. So technically, this seafood paleo pasta with miso pumpkin sauce is ready in under an hour. Major thrifty foodie points here ya’ll!!!

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

Anyway, here’s whatcha do.

First, cut your spaghetti squash into rings. Yes horizontally. Width wise into ringlets. A heavy sharp chef’s knife is best to use.  It’s very sharp, just warning ya’ll!

how to cook spaghetti squash for spaghetti squash "pasta."

Scoop out the seeds in the middle.

Then, in order to dry out the noodles a bit, so they aren’t mushy post roasting, you will need to salt/brine these ringlets.  It’s not a necessity, and it does take 20 minutes of “waiting,” but it totally improves the texture! Rinse off salt before baking/roasting.

Add a little olive oil then in the oven we go! Bam!

While that’s cooking, you make your Asian inspired pumpkin sauce and scallops. Again, miso is not a necessity, but it evens out the sweetness of the squash. You can also use a combo of tamari or gluten free soy sauce with sesame oil. I’m so fancy, I know. Kidding.

Lastly, you sear the scallops. And because I know many of you are fearful of cooking scallops, we’re gonna go over this again. Capeeesh?

Side note -> Sizzlefish has the best scallops! Like so easy to cook and hands down the best in flavor. I do not lie.

Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lighter version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

All you need is one pan, butter or oil, and your scallops (cleaned). Heat a pan on between medium high to high, add your butter. Once it’s starts sizzling, add your scallop. Add in your garlic and dash sea salt, pan sear for 6-8 minutes on medium high, flipping the scallops once or twice.

See, spaghetti squash pasta with scallops is an easy dinner recipe. Promise!

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Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta

Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta {Paleo}

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3.3 from 8 reviews
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 40 min
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 3
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Description

Paleo Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish.

Ingredients

  • For the spaghetti squash pasta:
  • 1 medium size spaghetti squash
  • sea salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • baking pan
  • For the Asian pumpkin sauce:
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter (ghee for dairy free)
  • 1 tsp minced garlic (2 small cloves)
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup coconut cream (or regular cream if not paleo)
  • 2 tbsp gluten free miso paste (or mixing 1.5 tbsp gluten free tamari with .5 tbsp sesame oil works too. (see notes for more substitutes)
  • 1/2 tsp chili pepper or cayenne
  • optional 2 – 3 tbsp broth to thin out
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • herbs to garnish
  • For the scallops:
  • 8 medium scallops. Thawed and cleaned.
  • 1 tbsp oil, butter, or ghee
  • see notes for scallop substitutes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. Cut your spaghetti squash horizontally into small ringlets. Use a heavy chef’s knife to do so. Ringlets should be around 1-2 inches in width. see pictures above.
  3. Then scoop out the seeds. Salt your squash (generously) and wait 15 minutes. This brines the squash to remove excess water before roasting.
  4. After 15 minutes, rinse of the salt.
  5. Place squash rings on baking tray and drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil.
  6. roast in oven for about 30-35 minutes or until skin is more tender.
  7. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool.
  8. When cooling, make your sauce and scallops.

sauce

  1. Place your garlic and oil in a sauce pan on medium low until it starts to “pop.” Around 2-3 minutes. You will smell the garlic fragrance.
  2. Next add in your pumpkin, coconut cream, miso, and spices. If too thick, add in a few tbsp of broth to thin out.
  3. Mix and simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Add fresh black pepper last. Taste and adjust to your liking. More seasoning, salt, etc. if desired.
  5. While sauce is simmering, cook scallops.

for the scallops

  1. Place 1 or 2 tbsp oil or butter in a frying pan on medium heat.
  2. Add your cleaned scallops.
  3. Sear for 5-6 minutes on medium to medium high, flipping a few times.
  4. Scallops will brown and will no longer be opaque.
  5. if they start to crack, that means that are overcooked. It’s better to cook 5-7 minutes max then remove from heat. They continue to cook once removed from heat.

Place it all together

  1. Remove the peel from each spaghetti squash ringlet and pull out the strings from center. Place into a bowl. Strings should be attached in longer circle. Next separate the strands into “pasta” strands.
  2. Add 1 tbsp more of oil or butter the bowl and toss together. If they pasta is cold, place in microwave safe dish and reheat for 45 sec or so.
  3. Place spaghetti squash pasta into bowls.
  4. Spoon 1/3 cup or more pumpkin sauce on top. Then add your scallops.
  5. Garnish with basil or herbs of choice.
  6. Extra red chili flake/pepper/salt if desired.
  7. Dig in!

Notes

For other miso substitutes you can use tahini or a miso soup base paste.

If you don’t want to use scallops, feel free to use shrimp, pork, or chicken.

If vegan tofu or toasted almond slivers is a nice addition.

Nutrition Per Plate

spaghetti-squash-pasta

Tools to help you make this YUMMY paleo pasta!

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

Just in case you are not a scallop lover or have allergy, or whatnot, there is an option to make this paleo spaghetti squash “pasta” dish without seafood and vegan friendly. Just toast some slivered almonds and add those on top. Or replace scallops with other protein, like salmon, chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc.

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and toasted almonds. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

This spaghetti squash pasta dish is so versatile!

Perfect for date night in, dinner party, or just when you need to spoil yourself and cook a good dinner for one.   Which should be every night, right? Mmmm, love those. You can hog all that squash!

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

Try this #Paleo Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta! A #healthy lighter version pasta dish.

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Are you spaghetti squash pasta fan? Pumpkin sauce fan? Seafood pasta fan? If you are all three, then we are meant to be best friends. That it is all.

Cheers!

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P.S

A few weeks ago my husband was away on business. I had a date night in with myself. I picked this dish because it’s everything I ever wanted in a dish. All my favs. And you know what? It did not disappoint! I sat down at the table. Poured a glass of wine and enjoyed solitude with my meal. So yes, even though this dish may not aim to please everyone, it’s quite unique and I will never forget it. In fact, I plan on making it a regular date night in with me! Well… when I have those opportunities. Feel free to crash it anytime. I’ll save you some spaghetti squash pumpkin pasta! 😉

Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lighter version of your favorite pasta dish.@cottercrunch

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  5. I have kind of fallen out of love with spaghetti squash…It just doesn’t do it for me! I have not fallen out of love though with seafood and pasta…When you live on a island you cannot fall out of love with this dish. I had some amazing scallops last Friday and pasta…DELISH! XOXO

    Reply

  7. You are making me crave seafood Lindsay! I just had a pumpkin sauce yesterday, but it wasn’t fresh like this – which looks amazing. It made me want to make my own though, and now I’m fully inspired!

    Reply

  8. This is perfect for me right now!!! I just bought a spaghetti squash – we’re trying to go anti-inflammatory until Italy (proud)? And you know we always have a Sizzlefish stash. That stuff is like gold! I made a quickie Shrimp Teriyaki for WIAW when we had no groceries. Time for pumpkin next!

    Reply

  13. Eyes = Hearts
    Mouth = Salivating
    Heart = Yearning
    Hands = Grabbing
    Brain = Screaming YES PLEASE

    Oh wow… Am I having sex or wanting this dish. I have no idea……….

    Reply

  14. You and I are always on the same wavelength! I just made a pumpkin sauce, too– but mine is Moroccan inspired 🙂 I have bought and roasted so many pumpkins already this year and we aren’t even to October yet!

    I have never roasted spaghetti squash like that– or brined in! Will try it with my next one. I can imagine it cooks a lot faster!

    Reply

  18. This looks absolutely amazing. I don’t remember to use spaghetti squash often enough.

    Your photos are always so stunning and make me want to try the recipes!

    Reply

  19. I always roast my spaghetti squash in halves and then turn it into noodles….do you find that this method makes prettier noodles? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that! This dish looks so cozy and delicious!

    Reply

  22. A delicious bowl of comfort food! Love your idea of adding miso to balance the sweetness of the sauce. I have not had any luck finding spaghetti squash at the market but they should be coming in soon. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Sharing everywhere!

    Reply

  24. When you say coconut cream do you mean putting it in the fridge overnight & scoop out cream? I can’t wait to make this… However I might need to do chicken. If I could get my hands on some good seafood it would be awesome! P.s. your recipe layout… perfect. I can actually understand. thank you for providing pictures for a visual person like me haha!

    Reply

  25. You had me at miso pumpkin sauce 🙂 I’m right there with you Lindsay, I’m really enjoying pumpkin/squash season, I just can’t get enough, so much to make and eat so little time

    Reply

  26. Mind BLOWN about the spaghetti squash. Trying it next time. And this sauce sounds amazing. My hubby doesn’t love pumpkin, but I know if I say it’s an Asian pumpkin sauce, he will eat it without hesitation! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
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