⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 40 minutes

🍃 A luscious, creamy avocado pesto draped over roasted spaghetti squash and topped with garlicky shrimp—this Paleo dish is bursting with flavor!

Jump to Recipe

📸 *Golden spaghetti squash strands tossed in a rich green pesto sauce, topped with plump garlic shrimp and fresh basil leaves.*

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

This dish is the perfect alternative to traditional pasta—without the grains! Spaghetti squash has a naturally sweet and nutty taste that pairs beautifully with the creamy avocado pesto. Plus, we’re adding juicy garlic shrimp for protein, making it a well-balanced Paleo meal.

Avocado replaces dairy in this creamy pesto, giving you a silky, rich sauce with healthy fats. And since this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30-friendly, it’s a guilt-free way to satisfy pasta cravings!

Meal prep bonus: The spaghetti squash can be roasted ahead of time and stored in the fridge, making this a super quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

🍽️ Servings: 4 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 390

For the Spaghetti Squash:

1 large spaghetti squash
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the Avocado Pesto:

1 large ripe avocado
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup water (adjust for consistency)

For the Garlic Shrimp:

1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper

Steps

Step 1

Roast the Spaghetti Squash
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, until the flesh is tender. Let it cool, then use a fork to scrape out the spaghetti-like strands.

Step 2

Make the Avocado Pesto
In a food processor, blend avocado, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a creamy consistency. Set aside.

Step 3

Cook the Garlic Shrimp
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Assemble the Dish
Toss the spaghetti squash with the avocado pesto. Top with garlic shrimp and garnish with extra basil leaves and lemon zest. Serve immediately!

Make it your own!

🥬 Swap the shrimp for grilled chicken or pan-seared salmon.
🌰 Add crunch with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds.
🍋 Boost the flavor by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the shrimp before serving.