I came up with this easy spaghetti squash recipe when I was testing out Crockpot Spaghetti Squash. We had an unusually high number of cooked spaghetti squash halves hanging out in our refrigerator awaiting their purpose. Over the years, stuffed spaghetti squash recipes have become one of my favorite ways to serve this delightful little squash, especially these Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats and these Spaghetti Squash Boats with Chicken. Squash boats are incredibly filling, endlessly customizable, and taste ultra comforting, all while making it easy to sneak in your servings of veggies. The inspiration for this spaghetti squash recipe came when I was craving warm Italian food, which always seems to hit the spot. I decided to try making lasagna with my extra baked spaghetti squash halves. As you dig your fork into this recipe, you’ll find the components of classic lasagna, with one noticeable departure. Once you taste it, my very astute hunch is that you won’t mind the change one bit!
Reasons to Make this Easy Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
Rational human that I am, I do love myself a big plate of carb-loaded pasta, but in the case of this spaghetti squash lasagna with meat sauce, we truly did not miss the noodles one bit. I adored the fact that I was eating something that tasted deeply comforting but was, in fact, largely made of vegetables.
It’s Low Carb. Making lasagna with spaghetti squash strands instead of noodles also means that this recipe is low carb. (If you’re looking for another noodle-free lasagna dish, try my Eggplant Lasagna or Zucchini Ravioli)It’s Quick. No noodles means no time-consuming layering. Where lasagna is typically a labor of love, these spaghetti squash lasagna boats are fairly quick on the prep end, especially if you cook the spaghetti squash in advance.Eating Spaghetti Squash is Good for You. Yes, spaghetti squash is healthy! While low in carbs and calories, spaghetti squash is also packed with fiber, vitamin C and B6, and antioxidants. It also contains high amounts of the mineral, manganese, which is important for overall bone health.
How to Make Lasagna with Spaghetti Squash
OK, so “lasagna” might be a bit of a generous use of the term considering everything is stuffed inside the spaghetti squash halves instead of layered separately in the pan. If that’s the style of recipe you are looking for, you can check out this Spaghetti Squash Casserole, but I’m standing by this one too.
The Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash. The star of this show! Once cooked, the texture will resemble cooked pasta noodles. Plus, we’ll use the spaghetti squash skin as a “bowl” of sorts to hold all the ingredients together.Ground Turkey. I opted to make this spaghetti squash lasagna with ground turkey to keep it lean, mean, and protein rich. If you prefer, you can make the spaghetti squash lasagna with chicken or lean ground beef. For a vegetarian spaghetti squash lasagna, see tips in the “Recipe Adaptations” section below.Easy Red Sauce. To keep the recipe quick and easy, I applied one of my favorite shortcuts and used good-quality store-bought pasta sauce instead of making tomato sauce 100% from scratch. For a boost of flavor, I added a pinch of red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and a splash of red wine vinegar. By the time the sauce simmers on the stove, no one will be the wiser, and you’ll appreciate the time savings.Creamy Ricotta Filling. Classic, flavorful lasagna goodness. Or if you a) grew up in the Midwest or b) are curious about our Midwestern ways, you can try spaghetti squash lasagna with cottage cheese instead of the ricotta.Frozen Spinach. I love spaghetti squash lasagna with spinach for an extra serving of healthy veggies and a burst of green. No need for fresh spinach here—in lasagna, there’s little taste difference, and frozen is equally nutrient rich, more convenient, and less expensive than fresh.Melty Cheese. Mozzarella is classic, but I prefer something with a little more oomph like fontina or smoked provolone.Parmesan. Salty, nutty, and a lasagna necessity.
The Directions
How Do I Cut a Spaghetti Squash?
In order to make baked spaghetti squash recipes, we need to first cut our spaghetti squash into two halves. How to tell if spaghetti squash is bad: when you slice your spaghetti squash in half, the color should be bright and yellow. If you see any discoloration or the texture is mushy, the squash is bad.
What Does Spaghetti Squash Taste Like?
Once cooked, spaghetti squash will taste like a firm-but-soft noodle with just a tiny hint of sweetness.The taste of spaghetti squash is very mild, which is why it makes a great substitution for pasta in many recipes.The mild taste of spaghetti squash also makes spaghetti squash recipes like this one especially kid friendly.
Recipe Adaptations
To Make Gluten Free. Make sure you are using a gluten free pasta sauce.To Make Vegetarian or Vegan. For those needing vegetarian or vegan spaghetti squash recipes, omit the meat entirely. You could try swapping it for sautéed mushrooms instead. For extra protein, you can also add a can of rinsed and drained white beans.To Make Keto. While I’m not a keto diet expert, spaghetti squash is typically very keto-friendly, depending upon your serving size. For keto spaghetti squash recipes, you could always use a smaller squash and supplement with additional sauce to suit your needs.
How to Store, Reheat, Freeze Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
To Store. Place cooked and cooled lasagna in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through. You can also reheat leftovers on a microwave-safe plate in the microwave until warm.I do not recommend freezing this dish, as frozen spaghetti squash tends to become mushy and watery once thawed. You can freeze leftover sauce separately and use it to top pasta or freshly baked spaghetti squash later.
What Goes with Spaghetti Squash?
With its built-in servings of protein and veggies, this recipe is certainly capable of acting as a standalone, all-in-one meal, but here are a few ideas of what to serve with it:
Vegetables. Spaghetti squash lasagna with broccolini or Roasted Zucchini would be tasty.Salad. I love pairing this with a light salad like Caesar Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons or Winter Salad with Kale and Pomegranate.Bread. Rosemary Olive Oil Bread or Roasted Garlic Potato Rolls would be a hit with this dish!
Recommended Tools to Make Spaghetti Squash Recipes
Sharp Chef’s Knife. One of the most important kitchen tools. Ideal for cutting spaghetti squash.Cutting board. This one has TONS of space! I love this no-slip cutting board as well.All-purpose baking sheet. This works great for tasty spaghetti squash recipes like this one.
WELL PLATED COOKBOOK UPDATES
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