Skip to Content

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi + VIDEO

Crockpot spaghetti squash shrimp scampi is a healthy one-pot recipe that’s easy to make. Lighten up your diet while the slow cooker does the work with this low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible seafood recipe! Instructions to make this shrimp scampi alternative in the Instant Pot are also included.

spaghetti squash shrimp scampi on a white plate with lemon slices

I know when most people think of the slow cooker or Instant Pot, shrimp scampi isn’t may not be the first thing that comes to mind. This healthy alternative also adds spaghetti squash to make it a more complete meal.

uncooked spaghetti squash

Ingredients For Spaghetti Squash & Shrimp

Like a traditional shrimp scampi, the ingredients for this recipe are simple.

  • Spaghetti Squash: Find a spaghetti squash that will fit a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot when cut cross-wise. For me that means a spaghetti squash that is approximately 2 pounds.
  • Shrimp: One pound of your preferred shrimp whether it’s peeled, shelled, tail-off, tail-on, etc. Just make sure they’re cleaned & deveined first.
  • Onion: 1 small onion. Use more or less if you like.
  • Lemon: 1 medium lemon, juiced.
  • Ghee or Butter: If you want this shrimp scampi to be paleo or whole30 compliant, you will need to use ghee. If you’re not worried about that, feel free to use butter.
  • Garlic: I love garlic so for me, 3 garlic cloves is playing it safe. Use it as a guide and use as little or as much garlic as you want to add.
  • Broth: Only 1 cup of broth is used. Keep in mind that 2 additional cups of liquid will be added later.
  • Coconut Milk/Whipping Cream: Whether you use coconut milk or whipping cream will depends on whether or not you want this recipe to be paleo/whole30 compliant.
  • Seasonings: The seasonings for this scampi recipe are simple: parsley, salt, and pepper.
uncooked spaghetti squash in the slow cooker

before (slow cooker)

How To Make Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi In The Slow Cooker

After you prepare the spaghetti squash by cutting it in half and scooping the seeds out, you add it to the slow cooker along with all the other ingredients EXCEPT the shrimp. Like a lot of slow cooker recipes, the shrimp is added later.

  1. Add broth, lemon juice, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and melted ghee to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Add the prepared spaghetti squash the slow cooker, hole side down.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6, or until the spaghetti squash is soft.
  3. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the slow cooker, it will be hot.
  4. Stir in the coconut milk or whipping cream. Add shrimp and cook an additional 10-20 minutes or until pink.

cooked spaghetti squash on a white plate

FAQs & Tips

What Is Spaghetti Squash?

Spaghetti squash is a cucurbita pepo vegetable. In other words, it’s a squash. The seeds inside spaghetti squash are similar to pumpkin seeds. When cooked, the inside flesh is scraped into spaghetti-like strands. Hence why spaghetti squash exploded on the scene a few years ago as a popular, healthy,  alternative to spaghetti. You can cook spaghetti squash several ways, including in the slow cooker; either by itself or as a part of a recipe like you see here.

add shrimp

What Is Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi is a popular Italian-American dish where you sauté shrimp in butter, garlic, onion, and other ingredients. I say other ingredients because shrimp scampi is another recipe where you have leeway to really make it your own. Obviously this isn’t a traditional shrimp scampi. For one, it’s made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. This slow cooker shrimp scampi is also cooked along with spaghetti squash. Since shrimp scampi is commonly served over pasta, I’m using spaghetti squash as a low-carb, paleo, whole30 alternative.

up close cooked shrimp in the scampi sauce in the slow cooker

Paleo/Whole30 vs Low-Carb/Keto

The real question here is are you going to add full-fat coconut milk or whipping cream and ghee or butter? For the recipe to be paleo and Whole30 compatible, you will need to use coconut milk & ghee. For low-carb/keto, you can use coconut milk & ghee as well but you also have the option to use whipping cream (or even heavy whipping cream) and butter. What you see in the pictures is coconut milk and melted ghee.

cooked spaghetti squash shrimp scampi with sauce being poured on top

Spaghetti Squash Recipes

spaghetti squash shrimp scampi on a white plate with lemon slices

You will need a large 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe. 

 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
spaghetti squash shrimp scampi on a white plate with lemon slices

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Crockpot spaghetti squash shrimp scampi is a healthy one-pot recipe that’s easy to make. Lighten up your diet while the slow cooker does the work with this low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible seafood recipe! Instructions to make this shrimp scampi alternative in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 spaghetti squash, cut in half crosswise (approx. 2 pounds)
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 1 cup vegetable or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 15 ounces coconut milk or whipping cream
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup ghee, melted

Instructions

Prepare The Spaghetti Squash:

Cut spaghetti squash in half, crosswise. Scoop out the seeds.

Slow Cooker

  1. Add broth, lemon juice, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and melted ghee to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Add the prepared spaghetti squash the slow cooker, hole side down.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6, or until the spaghetti squash is soft.
  3. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the slow cooker, it will be hot.
  4. Stir in the coconut milk or whipping cream. Add shrimp and cook an additional 10-20 minutes or until pink.

Instant Pot

  1. Add ghee to the pressure cooker and select sauté. The ghee doesn’t have to be melted first, that’s only for the slow cooker. Once hot add the onion & 2-5 minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
  2. Turn off the pressure cooker. Pour in the broth & deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the prepared spaghetti squash, hole side down.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 25-30 minutes* or until the squash is soft.
  4. When cooking  time is complete, quick release the pressure. If the squash is tender to the touch, it’s done. If this is the case, cook an additional 2 minutes.
  5. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash (it will be hot) from the Instant Pot and set aside.
  6. Turn the pressure cooker to sauté. Stir in the coconut milk or whipping cream. Gently stir in the shrimp and cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until the shrimp are pink.

To Serve:

Using a fork, scrape the side of the spaghetti squash so you have long, spaghetti-like strands. Top with shrimp and sauce from the slow cooker or Instant Pot.

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 334
  • Sugar: 8.3 g
  • Fat: 18.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20.7 g
  • Fiber: 3.9 g
  • Protein: 25.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 213 mg

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using this link. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/, https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/affiliates/

 

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”cbMluc59″ upload-date=”2022-02-14T21:44:36.000Z” name=”Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi” description=”Slow cooker spaghetti squash shrimp scampi is an one-pot recipe that’s healthy and easy to make. You can also make this low-carb, paleo, whole30 shrimp scampi alternative in the Instant Pot.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Rochelle

Saturday 12th of August 2023

Hi Shannon, One tiny note: for IP preparation, you add the squash in step 2, yes? I love your recipes! :) Thanks for all you do!

Shannon Epstein

Thursday 17th of August 2023

Yikes. Thank you so much for catching that. The recipe has been updated accordingly!

I appreciate your support:-)

Lorenzo

Saturday 5th of February 2022

This looks absolutely scrumptious

Lindsay

Monday 8th of June 2020

Is this recipe for fresh or frozen shrimp? Thanks!

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Monday 8th of June 2020

You can use fresh or frozen!

Deborah

Sunday 10th of March 2019

Love your recipes.

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Monday 11th of March 2019

Thank you so much!

Roosterhead

Sunday 22nd of October 2017

Can onion powder be substituted for the onion?

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Monday 23rd of October 2017

Absolutely!