There is a myriad of healthy filling meals to create a flavorful and nutritiously packed dinner. One of my favorite family meal ideas is this Baked Spaghetti Squash. It is easy to cook. In addition, you will be equipped with a ton of variations for a delicious filling.
Possibilities are Infinite for a Different Spaghetti Squash You Cook Every Single Time!
I love spaghetti squash with different sauces like a creamy Romesco Sauce, or this Asian Coconut Curry sauce.
For those who wish to use this baked vegetable spaghetti as a side dish, Tahini sauce or freshly made Basil and Spinach Pesto will add their unique taste and aroma.
Add your favorite protein source like chicken or sausage or meatballs to a spaghetti squash pasta, and you are destined for a healthy meal on a budget, too.
Baked Spaghetti Squash for a Family Meal
Or Your Holiday Dinner Idea
Being a huge fan of spaghetti squash, I find a ton of ways to bring variety to every meal when I cook with it. My husband always tells my friends that I cannot cook the same dish twice. This is true. It also demonstrates that making healthy meals should not be a struggle. Use those ingredients that you’ve got in your pantry and in the fridge to make every dinner a memorable experience!
Holiday Season dinners will welcome a Baked Spaghetti Squash with a hearty filling.
Benefits of Spaghetti Squash for Your Well-Being
If you are shooting for something with an abundance of Vitamin C – grab a spaghetti squash into your shopping basket on your next trip to a farmer’s market or your local store. You are going to enjoy the ease and versatility of preparing this amazingly powerful vegetable. Baking is one of the prominent ways to start the preparation of the squash. After that – your creativity can be let loose.
Think of many fillings and fixings you can add inside the boat of the boastful amount of yellow spaghetti-like and fiber-rich goodness! If you are a vegetarian lover – add freshly cut or sauteed vegetables. If you want to go after meat and fish options or tofu – wow, you are a winner here, too!
In addition to Vitamin C, you are to load your body with Vitamins A, B-6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K. This family of antioxidants and immune system benefactors is hard to ignore!
The amounts of Manganese – the mineral that is crucial to our bone health, tissue development and sex hormones functioning – cannot be ignored either. One cup contains about 8% of the RDA recommended amounts of this mineral. It seems like a small amounts, but we do not need a ton of this mineral to rip the benefits in well-being.
Charge your imagination with yummy fillings and head to the kitchen with your inspiration and spaghetti squash in hand!
More Squash Casserole Recipes for Your Family Meal Ideas List
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
Though many opt for a quick microwave dinner, I prefer to bake my spaghetti squash in the oven. The final result is a more robust flavor, a baked look with slightly browned edges, and much better texture for your taste buds.
Once you halved a squash and scooped all the seeds out, just drizzle it with one of the healthy oils and salt. Place both halves on a baking sheet and send it into the heated oven. On average, it takes 30-40 minutes for a spaghetti squash to cook. If you prefer an al dente texture, then don’t overcook by leaving in the oven for too long.
When you try to scrape the squash with a fork and the fibers lift easily, it is your clue to take it out of the oven!
Some prefer to stab the skin of the raw spaghetti squash with the fork. I do not do it. Just keep a bit longer in the oven, if you want your squash softer.
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 Spaghetti Squash, halved
- 2-4 Tbsp virgin olive oil
- 1 big onion, cut up for sauteeing
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1 cup grape tomatoes or 3 Tbsp red peppers
- Herbs of your choosing to garnish: Dill, Scallions, Cilantro.
Instructions
- Place spaghetti squash with cut sides down on the baking sheet with olive oil.
- Bake at 350F (175C) for 30-40 minutes, until soft.
- In a pan, heat oil and saute onions, garlic, tomatoes and/or red peppers.
- Use baked squash boats instead of plates and fill them with the sauteed onions and veggie mix
- OR
- Use large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the baked squash and plate it, adding sauteed vegetables to the mix.
Add Some Fiber to Your Squash Recipe like in this Lentil Stew
PIN For Your Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
45 thoughts on “Baked Spaghetti Squash As Part of Your Healthy Filling Meals”
I heard squash spaghetti is pretty god but I have never tried it! I will when squash season comes around!
Yum! This baked Spaghetti Squash looks so delicious!
I’ve never tried spaghetti squash. I’m pretty picky, so new things freak me out. But…. I may adventure out and give this a shot!
Oh, this looks so good! I haven’t made spaghetti squash in a very long time. Now, I’m craving it after see that photo! haha!! Such a good, healthy meal option!
Spaghetti is one of our meals that my family wants weekly! I would love to have a new way to make it!
Big fan of spaghetti squash but for some reason none of my friends like it. I always buy the smallest one I can find to fix. I like to bake it and get brown crispy spots on it. One of my favorite ways is to roast cherry tomatoes with olive oil and sea salt. Then pour over the squash a meal made in heaven
I’ve started a low calorie and low carb diet and this recipe is perfect for that! I will have to make this soon.
This sounds delicious! I have always wanted to try spaghetti squash before, because I honestly love squash! I will definitely be making this soon, thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Lauryn,
This recipe is sooo versatile!
For a filling, you could do anything your tastebuds are craving for: veggies, chicken, even a cheesy filling.
Looks delicious! I’ve become a big fan of spaghetti squash ever since starting Trim Healthy Mama.
Pinned, can’t wait to try this.
I love squash – but you’ll never convince me this is spaghetti. And I’m cool with that.
I haven’t tried baked spaghetti squash but it looks good, and definitely worth trying.
This looks amazing. Thanks for the recipe. I pinned it for later!
Thanks! I had no idea how to prepare these so I never buy them – and I love squash.
Looks so yummy and healthy.
I love baked squash. I like your variation. Thank you for the recipe.
This recipe looks so colorful and healthy! It could be a perfect summer recipe! Can’t wait to try!
I should really give spaghetti squash a try. There are so many great recipes out there for it!
I used to refuse to eat squash. It wasn’t until I was living on my own that i finally decided to give it another try. Now I love it! Adding this recipe to my must-make list!
Alaina,
I haven’t started making squash until later in my life as well. You started on it way earlier than me! Bravo!
I love it now, as I add different toppings to it and make a very hearty meal out of it.
I love adding different types of protein and spices. Just varying these two make it a huge variety available for our family to celebrate different tastes.
Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite ingredients of all time. Baking it simply with some sauce like this is a perfect way to prepare it.
Jenn,
I am with you – just baking and adding the simplest of the sauces would make it an excellent meal!
Love how you’ve decorated the spaghetti squash so you can enjoy it more often as it will look different each time, with as you say … just a bit of creativity. Thanks for the inspiration
Tina,
Inspiration is all we need sometimes!
Images we see these days on blogs and Pinterest peak our interest and personal creativity and push us to take the 1st step towards what we truly wish to do.
Thank you, sweetie, and have a greatly delicious week!
Oh yum this sounds absolutely delicious, what a fantastic idea for a summer evening meal. I wouldn’t have thought of making anything like it myself.
It’s healthy food, I will make it for my holiday soon.
I look forward to squash every autumn. I will have to add this recipe to my list of preparation ideas!
It has been many years since I had spaghetti squash. This recipe sounds pretty good, I’ll have to try making this. Easy to make too!
Oh yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe! It sounds so tasty in addition to being healthy. That’s a FANTASTIC combo.
That sounds delicious. Since I started on my road to better health I’ve learned to appreciate how tasty healthy food can be.
I have never made bake spaghetti squash, it looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
It’ not often delicious and healthy go hand in hand, but you’ve managed to do just that. This looks AMAZING!
Just getting ready to come into season around here. We do it a couple of times a year just to keep the kids on their toes. It’s great.
Um… Yum! Today is market day, I am definitely picking up spaghetti squash!
This is one of my favorite meals. I need to make it again soon.
I’ve never actually had spaghetti squash before, its sounds really interesting! I should totally try to make this for my family 🙂
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
i have yet to try spaghetti squash, but this one looks so tempting! and easy! also, beautiful pics.
Spaghetti squash is one of my favorites. I will have to try this recipe this weekend. I have a squash I need to cook up. My family is going to love it.
I typically like squash but I wasn’t a fan of spaghetti squash. I might have to try zoodles instead. I know that I like zucchini.
My daughter is a big fan of squash. I have to try this out, she will love it. Bookmarked!
Wow, this is a must-try recipe. I love how you fill the squash, nice one!
I like spaghetti squash and I think I could get my family to eat with this delicious sauce. It is important to make sure they are getting enough veggies in their diet.
I tried spaghetti squash for the first time last year and I love it. I think I’m going to try it out with other toppings this year. Thanks for sharing. -Yolonda
How colorful! My mother used to cook a lot of recipes made with spaghetti squash. I will definitely try your recipe this weekend. Yum!
That sounds so yummy and so healthy. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe. We actually have a couple of spaghetti squash plants in the garden, and you just gave me a great new recipe to try!