Low Carb Seared Scallops And Spaghetti Squash Recipe

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A restaurant quality spaghetti squash recipe with seared scallops that looks and sounds fancy, but is so easy to make! Did I mention this “fancy” dinner is made in just 30 minutes?

Seared Scallops in a white bowl pinterest pin

Low Carb Seared Scallops And Spaghetti Squash Recipe

This easy and delicious dinner recipe is inspired by something I had when visiting my Dad in Florida. We dined at Boca in Sarasota and I had the most delicious meal with spaghetti squash, scallops, clams, and a light cream sauce. I loved it so much, I just had to recreate it at home!

Doesn’t it look amazing?

Close up of seared scallops with clams

That recipe was a little different from this scallop and spaghetti squash recipe. This one doesn’t have clams and the cream sauce is much lighter than the one pictured above.

If you want a heavier or thicker cream sauce, you can always add more half and half and parmesan cheese.

How To Make Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite substitutes for spaghetti because it’s low-carb, Whole30 approved, and just delicious! There are tons recipes for how to cook spaghetti squash out there, but this is the only one you need.

It’s the best because rather than roasting it in the oven for 45 minutes, I cooked it in the microwave in under 15 minutes!

Cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave is a huge timesaver. Don’t get me wrong, I love the way a roasted spaghetti squash tastes, but on weeknights I am all about quick dinner recipes!

Spaghetti squash in a white bowl with two gold forks

I Love Scallops!

Scallops have been one of my favorite things to cook for years because they are the one of the easiest seafoods to make and are definitely impressive when serving at home.

Although scallops may seem intimidating because they are usually seen as “fancy”, I promise they aren’t! And once you nail down the technique, you’ll be making them at least once a week!

Keep an eye on your local grocery store’s weekly specials, because scallops go on sale pretty often. Also, another thing I love about scallops how much protein they contain there’s about 17 grams of protein in just three scallops!

Close up of seared scallops and spaghetti squash

How To Cook Scallops

It doesn’t take much effort to get the perfect sear on sea scallops. Cooking scallops requires only three ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Scallops

All you have to do is heat a non-stick pan or cast iron with a little bit of butter and olive oil on high heat, then add scallops, and cook. Check out this guide on how to cook scallops for step by step instructions to make perfectly seared scallops at home. Because perfectly cooked scallops aren’t just for restaurants.

Seafood and pasta is one of my all time favorite comfort dishes, and this scallop recipe is the best low-carb versions of that.

Overhead shot of scallops over spaghetti squash

Where To Buy Scallops

While scallops are easy to make, they can also be difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing and how or where to buy your scallops. So here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Always try to find dry packed scallops
  • Avoid buying frozen scallops
  • Farmer’s markets and Whole Foods are usually great sources for fresh scallops

You’re Going To Love The Lemon Cream Sauce

This sauce absolutely makes the dish! I love cream sauces because they make everything taste so much better.

A cream sauce with white wine and lemon is my favorite because the acidity helps cut the heaviness of the cream, making this the ultimate light cream sauce for cooking.

You can use this lemon cream sauce recipe on seafood, steak, or chicken. It’s even delicious in a vegetarian pasta dish.

I’m always on the lookout for healthy spaghetti squash recipes. So let’s talk about why this is one of my favorite spaghetti squash dinners I’ve made in a long time!

This spaghetti squash with scallops recipe is full of flavor, texture, and sophistication. The mushrooms bring a nice earthy taste, scallops bring some sweetness, the lemon cream sauce brings a bit of a tang, and the toasted panko adds texture.

Scallops alone are beautiful and tasty so when you add them to a simple spaghetti squash with cream sauce, it just becomes elegant but still easy! They’re also great for whipping up a quick meal any night of the week. If scallops aren’t your thing, then try substituting them for mussels or clams. This recipe would even be delicious with roasted chicken.

Paired with the seared scallops, lemon cream sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms, this spaghetti squash recipe is a real treat.

White bowl and large pan with spaghetti squash

Make It Whole30 Compliant

You all know I’m a big fan of Whole30 recipes, so I want to make sure I leave you with the Whole30 version of this one. To make this recipe Whole30 compliant:

  • Substitute the cream sauce for a drizzle of lemon or basil flavored olive oil
  • Omit the panko and parmesan cheese
  • Cook the scallops with ghee or olive oil
  • Rather than adding the thyme and oregano to the cream sauce, add them to the spaghetti squash and gently toss.

Recipe Notes

For this recipe, I used maitake mushrooms because they are small and don’t overpower the dish. If you prefer another type of mushroom like shiitake or baby bella mushrooms you can use those instead. However, I recommend chopping them a bit so they are smaller.

Yes, there are more than just a few ingredients for this recipe but many of them are already in your kitchen and it’s what gives this dish so much flavor without needing to spend a lot of money at the grocery store.

This is one of those recipes that seems challenging and sophisticated, but in reality is quite simple to make. Make it for two or double the recipe to make four servings and impress some friends!

Other Recipes You Might Like

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Seared Scallops in a white bowl pinterest pin

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4.84 from 37 votes

Low Carb Seared Scallops And Spaghetti Squash Recipe

A restaurant quality spaghetti squash recipe with seared scallops that looks and sounds fancy, but is so easy to make! From stove top to table top in 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 248
Author: Jordan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb U-10 scallops
  • 1 large spaghetti squash
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup maitake mushrooms*
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup panko
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 lemon, juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp unbleached flour
  • 1/4 cup white cooking wine
  • butter
  • olive oil

Instructions

Ingredient prep

Cream sauce

  • Melt 2 tbsps butter, garlic, white cooking wine, and lemon juice in a small sauce pan on medium-low heat, then slowly whisk in half and half, thyme, oregano, and flour. Stir constantly until fully combined and sauce has thickened. Then remove from heat and sprinkle in 1 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese, return the sauce to the burner and simmer until ready to use.

Scallops

  • Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of butter and 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in a large non-stick pan on high heat.
  • Add scallops to the pan, being careful not to overcrowd. Sear for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and finish searing for and additional minute. Immediately remove scallops from pan and transfer to a plate.

Bring it all together

  • Using the same pan you cooked the scallops in, sautรฉ the mushrooms with 1 tbsp of olive oil for 2-3 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the spaghetti squash, tomatoes, and spinach to the pan with the mushrooms and slowly mix in the cream sauce. Adjust the amount of cream sauce added to your liking.
  • Transfer scallops back to pan and garnish with toasted panko, parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
If you tried this recipe, please leave a review letting me know how it was!

Notes

  • This pan is one of the best for searing scallops!
  • If you prefer another type of mushroom like shiitake or baby bella mushrooms you can substitute them. I also love using a wild mushroom blend!
  • Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Keywords: Scallops, Spaghetti squash

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 433mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2224IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!

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4.84 from 37 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




38 Comments

  1. This looks fantastic. Thanks for the tips on how to cook scallops too – I haven’t cooked them before! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Let me know if you have any trouble with them! They’re so easy once you get the hang of it!

  2. You had me a scallops! They look so plump and juicy! The combination with spaghetti squash looks fantastic and like it works really well. Can’t wait to try it out.

  3. squash and scallops – a truly unexpected combination that works so well together. both are so buttery and indulgent.

    1. Totally – it’s both indulgent and healthy! This is truly one of my favorites right now.

  4. I’m a huge fan of scallops, and serving them with that sauce and spaghetti squash sounds like a delicious meal.

  5. foodtasticmom2013 says:

    These scallops most certainly do look amazing. You got a perfect sear on them!

  6. Stephanie Rodarte says:

    What happens with the Panko bread crumbs? Did I miss that step after cooking them?

    1. Hi Stephanie! Nope you didn’t miss anything, I totally missed that step. They go on top with the Parmesan, thank you for letting me know!

  7. I don’t see how much butter goes in the cream sauce?

    1. Hi Angela! It’s 2 tbsp – thanks for letting me know, updating the recipe now.ย

  8. 5 stars
    Tastiest meal Iโ€™ve made to date!

  9. 5 stars
    Delicious! Always looking for low carb options for my hub and who is a Type 1 diabetic. This provided protein in the scallops in addition to being low carb. But it was also very TASTY with no need for added salt.

    1. Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

  10. 5 stars
    Unbelievably fabulous! I omitted the tomatoes and spinach. So DELISH! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed!

  11. 5 stars
    I’m obsessed with scallops! these look perfectly cooked as well, what a great low carb, healthy dinner idea! pinning to try for later!

  12. Andrea Metlika says:

    5 stars
    Wow, this dish is bursting with flavor! The scallops were perfect (thanks for the tips!) and the lemon sauce just brings it all together!

  13. 5 stars
    Wow, this recipe was so amazing!! I can’t wait to make it again.

  14. 5 stars
    This was a tasty meal – I’m a huge fan of scallops and the other flavors here paired sooo well.

  15. 5 stars
    This is such a delicious meal! I so rarely find spaghetti squash recipes I like, but this one is a keeper. I’ll be bookmarking this to eat all winter long!

  16. Chris Samper says:

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe. It was delicious and it was nice to have a great dish with minimal carbs. thanks!

  17. 5 stars
    It was delicious. The lemon cream sauce combined with the texture of the seared scallops and squash was perfect, my kind of healthy protein and veggies dinner.

  18. 5 stars
    I l;ove scallops and am always looking for a new way to serve them. This is perfect and the sauce is amazing.

  19. 5 stars
    This was so buttery, loved the scallops. Can’t wait to make it again.

  20. 5 stars
    This came out so delicious! I absolutely love the combo of spaghetti squash and scallops.

  21. 5 stars
    What a great way to use scallops. They look delicious with the spaghetti squash.

  22. 5 stars
    Your Low Carb Seared Scallops And Spaghetti Squash Recipe was good, and the scallops came out perfectly! I loved that it took only about 30 minutes too!

  23. 5 stars
    This was fabulous tasting. I love scallops and had all the ingredients to make a special welcome home meal for my husband. Thank you for this wonderful recipe, will definitely make it again.

    1. Thank you Pam! So glad you both enjoyed it.

  24. 5 stars
    These scallops were delicious!! White chicken chili sounds good, too. It’s funny how the week that I can’t meal plan (due to traveling) I’m itching to do so.

  25. This was not that great. No much flavour. Took way longer than anticipated.