Halloween is the one time of year that we seek out creepy looking things to eat, and squid ink spaghetti with seared scallops fits the bill perfectly! Looking like something that might be served up at a banquet on a ghostly pirate ship, this dish is sure to spook the pants off your Halloween dinner guests, and set the scene for a festive, magical meal.
Better yet, squid ink spaghetti al limone doesn’t just check the creep factor box, it tastes delicious too! Bright lemon with a wink of spice from red pepper flakes keeps this buttery pasta feeling light and balanced. Complex, creamy parmesan brings the flavors together for an overall delightful dish. 
Seared Scallops + Spooky Squid Ink Spaghetti Al Limone Recipe
Seared Scallops + Spooky Squid Ink Spaghetti Al Limone
Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- salt (for pasta water, scallops, and seasoning)
- 1 lb squid ink spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 20 sea scallops
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- finely grated lemon zest of 1 lemon plus more for serving
- red pepper flake
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or grated on a microplane
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus shavings for serving
- fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring 4 quarts of generously salted water to a boil. (Less water = more starchy water, and will help create a thicker sauce later on!), cook the pasta until just under al dente, as it will continue to cook a bit in the sauce later on. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Pat the scallops dry, season with salt, and add to the pot flat side down. Sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then flip and sear the other side, 2-3 minutes, until just opaque throughout. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Then, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter in the saute pan. Add the lemon zest, red pepper, and garlic and cook while stirring for 1-2 mins, scraping any browned bits from the pan to incorporate them.
- Add the spaghetti and 1/2 cup pasta water to the pan. Increase the heat to medium high, and cook until a slightly thickened, glossy sauce is formed.
- Add the cheese and toss, stirring until melty and emulsified, adding more of the pasta water if needed. Incorporate lemon juice (1 tbsp or more) to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with more lemon zest and parmesan cheese shavings.
What would you serve alongside this spooky dish?
Raise you hand if Halloween is your favorite holiday!
(Me : 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️)
