spaghetti squash — Recipes

This is a perfect weeknight meal full of tasty vegetables and herbs. It’s bright, colorful, and flavorful! If you’re looking to bulk it up, you can opt to add in some sliced chicken breast, shrimp, or even bake some mozzarella on top.

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash, sliced in half lengthwise with seeds removed
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3 large leeks, with the dark green ends removed, and thinly sliced (make sure to clean well)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Zest from one lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional - parmesan to sprinkle on top

For the pesto:

2 cups fresh basil, packed
¼ cup olive oil
3 tbsp pine nuts
Juice from one lemon (about 2 tbsp)
1 large clove of garlic, peeled and smashed
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Drizzle insides of each squash half with olive oil (about 1 tbsp total) and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place them cut side down on a baking sheet and roast for 45-55 minutes, or until the flesh of the squash is easily pierced with a fork. Let cool.
While the squash roasts, prepare your pesto by adding all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Once squash has cooked and cooled, remove the insides with a fork into a large bowl.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil and leeks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, the peas, and lemon zest, and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Combine the squash with the leeks/peas mixture. Add in ½ the pesto and toss to combine. Keep adding pesto until the squash is coated. Then serve.
Optional - top with grated parmesan cheese

Served with sautéed shiitake mushrooms and thyme, with a side of broccolini

I clearly remember the first time I tried a spaghetti squash. My older sister and I stopped at a farm stand outside NYC one weekend years ago and were intrigued by this huge, yellow, oval shaped squash. We roasted it in the oven and topped it with pesto and chicken sausage, and we were obsessed! It quickly became a household favorite (we were living together at the time) and it continues to be a go-to for me when I’m craving a warm bowl healthy “pasta.” It’s the perfect thing to cook on a weeknight because you can keep it simple and just top with your favorite sauce. Or you can try this vegan cashew “alfredo” sauce that tastes incredibly decadent, but is made entirely of good-for-you ingredients. I honestly can’t get enough of this dish right now. It’s quick, simple, and flavorful!

We typically make this for dinner and heat up leftovers the next day for lunch. One spaghetti squash produces a surprisingly large amount of “spaghetti”!

Be very careful when cutting your spaghetti squash - use a sharp knife!

Ingredients

(serves 2-4)

For the squash

1 medium/large spaghetti squash
1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce:

1 cup of raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours in filtered water
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¾ cup hot, filtered water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle the inside of the squash with avocado or olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on the baking sheet and roast for about 45 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside and skin is soft
Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Once cool, scrape out spaghetti strands with a fork and place in a large serving bowl.
While squash cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add coconut oil, onion, and a pinch of salt. Stir for 5-10 minutes until onion is softened. Add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant and starting to brown.
Rinse and drain the soaked cashews. Add to a blender, along with the onion mixture, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and the hot water. Blend until silky smooth.
Add sauce to the bowl of cooked spaghetti squash and toss until combined. Serve in a bowl or in your spaghetti squash shells.

Optional:

Sauté sliced shitake mushrooms and/or spinach to add into your sauce for an extra hearty and veggie-focused dish!
Try adding 1-2 tbsp of nutritional yeast to make it “cheesier.”
Try adding 2 tsp of mirin, a Japanese sweet rice wine, in place of lemon juice for a slightly sweeter version (my current favorite way to prepare this).

Health Benefits of Spaghetti Squash:

Spaghetti squash is low in calories and loaded with nutrients
It is high in soluble fiber, which helps keep you full and promote healthy digestion (and regular bowel movements)
It’s a great source of antioxidants, like beta carotene and vitamin C, which can help prevent inflammation and chronic disease
Spaghetti squash contains vitamin A, which helps keep our skin and eyes in good health

Additional Reading and Sources: