10 Best Spaghetti Squash Recipes: How to Cook

Get ready for the 10 best spaghetti squash recipes known for its culinary potential and taste!

This nutritious superfood can easily transition from traditional Italian classics to vegan wonders.

Its unique texture and mild flavor make it the perfect substitute for pasta.

Whether you’ve already found it in recipes online or progressed to cooking it yourself, now you want to bring out the best in it.

How can you cook spaghetti squash to let its flavor shine through?

Just how well can it substitute for the real thing in your favorite recipes?

Classic Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs

To make a classic spaghetti squash with meatballs, begin by preheating your oven to 400°F.

A halved spaghetti squash, one half scraped with a fork, the other filled with meatballs and grated cheese, is placed on a tray. A skillet of meatballs and a grater with cheese are nearby.

Then cut a 2-pound squash in half the long way and scoop out the inside of the squash with seeds.

Put the two squash halves in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes, until it’s soft on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs by blending 1 lb ground beef with ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese.

Chop 1 medium onion and 2 cloves garlic with a sharp knife, then sauté in a medium pan over a medium flame until soft.

Stir the sautéed mixture together with the ground beef, and shape into meatballs. Fry the meatballs until browned in marinara sauce.

Serve the meatballs with the roasted spaghetti squash.

This riff on Pioneer Woman’s spaghetti recipe is as nutritious as it is kid-friendly – thanks to its abundance of fiber-rich squash and lean protein.

Vegan Squash With Tomato Sauce

Make your spaghetti squash vegan by substituting the meatballs for a nutrient-dense tomato sauce flavored with a medley of sautéed vegetables.

This low-carb, healthy dinner recipe is perfect for a nutritious meal.

A halved spaghetti squash filled with red tomato sauce, placed on parchment paper. In the background, a bowl and a utensil are partially visible.

To roast the vegan squash, place it cut side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil; roast until tender.

Next, pile the spaghetti squash strands with the homemade tomato sauce made with sautéed onions, garlic and peppers, and canned tomatoes.

You can also substitute fresh tomatoes for extra flavor.

This vegan squash with tomato spaghetti sauce is the best way to have a delicious and nutritious meal.

Just dish up the squash on a plate and smother them in the tomato sauce. Your dinner is ready – and meat-free.

Squash and Sausage Skillet

Squash and Sausage Skillet provides a hearty, protein-packed meal with the addition of lean sausage and sautéed vegetables alongside the roasted spaghetti squash.

A cast iron skillet filled with a cooked dish containing sausages, melted cheese, onions, and other ingredients.

When cooking this Italian-inspired dinner recipe, consider the following key elements:

Lose some saturated fat and calories by picking a lean sausage, such as Italian turkey sausage.
Vegetables – including colorful ones such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
A non-stick skillet will help ensure that the squash and sausage don’t stick to the pan, which will make it easier to cook and clean up afterward.
Add herbs and spices such as basil, red pepper flakes, and oregano to season, not salt or sugar on medium heat.

This Squash and Sausage Skillet is a healthy, filling, and flavourful option for a quick weeknight dinner.

Baked Squash With Cheese

Your Baked Squash With Cheese recipe begins with a medium-sized spaghetti squash halved lengthwise and roasted till fork-tender, then filled with nutrient-packed cheeses (part-skim ricotta, reduced-fat mozzarella and grated Parmesan).

A baked spaghetti squash boat filled with tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, on a wooden surface.

First, place the squash on a flat surface (a cutting board will work well) and slice it lengthwise in half with a sharp chef’s knife.

Remove the seeds and pulp, then bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-40 minutes or until tender on a prepared baking sheet.

When baked, use a fork to pull the squash strands into a low-carb, nutrient-dense base.

Fill with the cheese mixture and a little sauce then bake until golden and bubbly.

It’s also a fantastic food to include in low-carb diets and is perfect for a low-carb dinner tonight.

You can turn this into a spaghetti squash casserole for the whole family to enjoy.

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

In a fun twist on the classic Italian dish, Spaghetti Squash Carbonara features tender strands of spaghetti squash in place of pasta, along with rich eggs, salty bacon, and a sprinkle of nutty Parmesan cheese.

A plate of spaghetti carbonara garnished with parsley and grated cheese.

This is a truly revolutionary dish for all those looking for a low-carb, high-protein version of carbonara.

As you prepare this recipe, keep in mind the following key points:

Use 1 medium spaghetti squash (approx. 2 lbs) for 4 servings
Cook the squash at 400°F (200°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until tender
Whisk together 4 large eggs with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Add 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled, to the egg mixture for added smokiness

This will make the best spaghetti squash boats!

Squash and Mushroom Stir Fry

Try cooking 1/2 a spaghetti squash, then mixing its delicate strands with sautéed mushrooms and spices for a fiber- and vitamin-rich Squash and Mushroom Stir Fry that is low in calories.

This has been a favorite way to add flavor to a meal.

To prepare, sauté sliced mushrooms and onions in a pan with a little oil until tender, add cooked spaghetti squash and spices to taste, and stir to combine.

For a lazy approach: cook the squash and mushrooms together in a slow cooker or Instant Pot for 10-15 minutes.

This squash full recipe is a great way to enjoy healthy food and a satisfying meal.

Low Carb Squash Lasagna

Take your low-carb meal prep to another level by swapping sheet after sheet of hearty, nutrient-rich spaghetti squash for lasagna noodles in this creative twist on the classic Italian comfort food.

Close-up of a plated lasagna with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is partially cutting into the lasagna.

For those of us who love food but want to maintain healthy lifestyles, this low-carb squash lasagna is a godsend.

Roast the squash for 1 hour at 350 F then cool it and slice it into 1-inch rounds.

Arrange the rounds in a baking dish, filling each one like a lasagna layer — top with tomato sauce, meat sauce, or cheese and bake at 350 F for 1 hour.

Use cooked spaghetti squash as a base layer; add a layer of ground turkey cooked with jarred pasta sauce and cherry tomatoes.
Mozzarella cheese and a bit of feta cheese on top add some flavor.
Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
Consider adding some sautéed zucchini noodles to increase the nutrient density of spaghetti squash noodles.

This low-carb lasagna is a nutrient-dense, satisfying alternative to traditional pasta-based lasagna.

Along with its bold flavor and squash, this great spaghetti squash recipe is a must-have for your low-carb meal preparation.

Squash and Lentil Curry

Take your plant-based meal prep up a notch with this nutrient-rich and flavourful squash and lentil curry, which marries the natural sweetness of roasted squash with the protein power of red or green lentils.

Roast the squash in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour to enhance its sweetness.

Then sauté onions, ginger, and garlic in a deep skillet or large skillet.

Add lentils, broth, and your favorite spices, then simmer until the lentils are tender.

Serve over the roasted squash, garnished with fresh herbs and a dollop of yogurt, if desired.

Bon appetit! Adjust the size of your squash and cooking time accordingly.

This squash and lentil curry is one of the best things to make with spaghetti squash.

Squash and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Pair the nutrient density of spaghetti squash with the antioxidant activity of spinach and you’ve got yourself a healthy, creative twist on a traditional pasta dish: squash and spinach stuffed shells.

A baking dish filled with uncooked pasta shells stuffed with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and diced carrots on a textured surface.

It makes for a nice low-carb main dish or side dish, depending on how much broccoli you stuff into a shell.

To make this dish the first time you’ll need:

1 medium spaghetti squash, cooked and shredded
1 package of jumbo pasta shells
1 cup of fresh spinach leaves
1 cup of Alfredo sauce, low-fat or homemade

Add some black pepper and Italian seasoning to taste, and you have a healthy meal.

This is a good recipe to blur the lines of eating more vegetables.

There is a good crunchiness from the spaghetti squash and you can even add some chicken alfredo.

Try it out and enjoy a healthier take on traditional pasta dishes!

Simple Squash With Garlic and Herbs

Roasted spaghetti squash has a rich flavor that’s complemented by a savory garlic and herb mixture.

The result is a flavourful, low-carb side dish that will satisfy your body as well as your tastebuds.

Two halved spaghetti squashes filled with cooked spaghetti-like strands, garnished with herbs, on a wooden cutting board, surrounded by garlic cloves, herbs, and seasoning.

For this recipe, cook a spaghetti squash by cutting it in half lengthwise, set on cut side down in a pan, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 30-40 minutes until done.

Meanwhile, mix minced garlic with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme.

When the squash is tender, fluff it with a fork and toss it with the garlic-herb mixture.

Delicious and healthy, this vegetable dish can be enjoyed as a side or added to whatever recipe you fancy.

Because of its high fiber and water content, spaghetti squash is an excellent low-calorie alternative to traditional pasta.

Spaghetti Squash

There you have it! Our favorite spaghetti squash recipes for you to try.

Adding this fibre-and-vitamin-rich vegetable to your diet will help you bump up your fiber and vitamin intake in every meal while keeping your carb load in check.

Because its pale flesh has a mild flavor and a versatile texture, spaghetti squash is a good foundation for many dishes, making it a good addition to a nutritious and healthy diet.

And with many different cooking methods, you can make an amazing recipe out of squash.

The next time you need a great recipe try spaghetti squash!

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