11 Spaghetti Squash Recipes To Convince Your Mom You Know How To Cook
You may have mastered making ramen and Easy Mac in your dorm room, but your culinary skills shouldn’t stay sub par forever. It’s time to step up your game and learn how to whip up quick and easy spaghetti squash dishes that your mom will be impressed by.
Why spaghetti squash? This healthy alternative to pasta is high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s versatile in the same way that noodles are without all the heavy carbohydrates. These are 11 spaghetti squash recipes that even you can handle.
1. Caprese Spaghetti Squash
This recipe is a hearty vegetarian dish that you can choose to add chicken to for added protein. The sweetness of the tomatoes combined with the tang from the balsamic reduction is sure to be a palette pleaser.
This dish is only made better when you use the freshest ingredients. Take this opportunity to visit your local farmers’ market and buy fresh basil leaves or fresh mozzarella cheese. It makes a significant difference when you use products that aren’t processed and packaged. You can find the full recipe here.
2. Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls
Chipotle who? This recipe is fun because you can customize it depending on what you like in your burrito. Switch up the cheese, add avocado, turn up the spicy heat… totally up to you. This particular recipe is vegetarian, but adding some shredded carnitas would amplify it even more.
This southwestern style dish is built right in the halves of the spaghetti squash, so you don’t even have to get your dishes dirty. You can eat right out of the rind. A great tip: bake some sweet potato chips and eat the filling of your burrito bowl like nachos!
3. Chicken & Broccoli Spaghetti Squash
A lot of spaghetti squash recipes are naturally gluten free, including this one. This comfort food only tastes like it’s unhealthy. If you’re dairy free like me, you can easily swap out the cheesy ingredients for dairy-free alternatives, although I can’t promise you that it will taste as delectable. It’s no secret that cheese is the one department that the vegan world hasn’t quite mastered yet.
If you’re not an absolute stickler for your dairy free lifestyle, I would suggest that this squash dish is worth making an exception for one night. You can also amplify the nutrients by adding extra green veggies, like spinach or asparagus.
4. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
If there’s one thing I could eat every day for the rest of my life, it’s buffalo chicken in any form. Its spicy kick is the perfect foundation for a heavy dose of ranch dressing. This recipe comes from a fun food blog site that has a step by step video that you can follow along with.
The steps are super simple and this entire meal will take you about an hour to make, from start to finish. The most time consuming aspect is roasting the squash to make the inside tender enough to scrape into spaghetti. Once you’ve got that part accomplished, the rest is a breeze.
5. Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Indulge in the salty satisfaction of Asian takeout without all the guilty sodium overload. It’s the best of both worlds when you can feel like you’re cheating on a diet without the tightening of your jeans. And, just like your favorite takeout, it’s even good leftover.
This food blog recipe has alternatives to adhere to paleo and keto guidelines as well; you’re able to enjoy this meal no matter which diet you follow. After trying this guilt-free Pad Thai, you may never go back to the real thing.
6. Chicken Pesto Paleo Spaghetti Squash
Pesto lovers, rejoice. This seasoning forward dish is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. You can either buy pre-made pesto at your local grocery store, or you can make your own from scratch. The recipes for both the pesto and the squash entree are found here.
Now I’m no nutrition expert, but I don’t think this dish could get much healthier. Paleo, Whole30, dairy-free, low-carb… what else could you ask for? Save time by roasting the squash and cooking the chicken the night before. After the prep, you should be able to have this meal on the table in less than an hour.
7. Jalapeno Popper Spaghetti Squash
If jalapeno poppers are one of your go-to bar food appetizers, then you’re going to love this scrumptious meal. A great way to enjoy this recipe is to eat it like a dip with tortilla chips or Pretzel Thins. Serve it at your game day party in front of the big screen, and your friends are sure to be floored by your cuisine.
If you don’t love spice, you can always adjust the amount of jalapenos that the recipe calls for. If you want absolutely no heat whatsoever, swap the jalapenos for green bell peppers. You’ll still get that subtle crunch without starting to sweat.
8. Spaghetti Squash Egg Nests
It probably hadn’t occurred to you to use spaghetti squash for breakfast. Adding any type of veggies to your morning is a great way to squeeze in some extra nutrients. Think of these crispy nests as your replacement for shredded hashbrowns.
Fry up a few strips of bacon and add a side of fresh fruit and you’ve got the perfectly well-rounded breakfast. Oh, and don’t forget the coffee of course. You can find the method for making the ideal nests here.
9. Spaghetti Squash Fritters
Fritters are a great side dish or starter for any healthy meal. It’s an easy way to sneak in vegetables while still getting the hearty satisfaction you need. Squash fritters don’t require flour, so they are easily adaptable to a variety of dietary restrictions.
The full recipe is found here, and the author compares her fritters to potato pancakes. The ingredient list is so simple it is likely that you already have everything sitting right in your cupboards.
10. Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash
Shrimp scampi is always a crowd pleaser, and it’s just as drool-worthy when made with a pasta alternative. By saving calories and carbs in the spaghetti, you won’t have to feel guilty about all of the buttery goodness that douses the shrimp. It’s all about balance, people.
This simple recipe ensures you’ll have no problem when it comes to whipping up this classic.
11. Skillet Spaghetti Squash Pizza
Move over, cauliflower crust. Spaghetti squash is another sensible vegetable option for making your own pizza crust. You can make the crust nice and crispy by letting it brown in the skillet, giving you the perfect crunchy foundation.
This pizza is totally customizable with toppings; nothing is off limits. This recipe suggests pepperoni, but I like to add spinach and fresh tomato. Whichever way you like it, squash crust should be your new carbless go-to.
