Hi. I love spaghetti squash.
We actually have a love/hate relationship. Once we get past the initial awkward part, things are all good. But the amount of effort it takes for me to cut a spaghetti squash in half is slightly embarrassing. You would think that I’ve never stepped foot in the kitchen a day in my life. There’s definitely yelling, possibly some cursing, and for sure lots of sweating that occurs. Like I said, once it’s cut, we’re cool. But damn, it’s tough.
Moving on. I love these squash bowls. They’re so cool! Just cut (easier said than done), bake, scrape, fill, and eat! Easy clean up and a hearty, healthy meal is what I call a win for Monday night.
The good news is, you can fill the inside of the squash with whatever YOU like!
I’ve done a turkey meat sauce, or even a pesto, but this time I chose to keep it vegetarian and went with a mushroom and kale marinara sauce, topped with melted, bubbly cheese of course.
I’m not gonna lie. It’s BOMB. Sure, you could scrape everything out into a bowl, but I love eating it straight from the source. And you guys…It’s SO filling. Seriously. You won’t even miss the carbs!
It’s the perfect quick, easy, and healthy, fall weeknight meal.
- 2 small or medium spaghetti squash
- 2 teaspoons olive oil plus 2 tablespoons - divided
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 8 ounces crimini mushrooms diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups chopped and stemmed kale
- 1 26 ounce jar of your favorite tomato sauce (I use Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
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1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or two if they don't fit). Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and soft yellow strands. Brush the inside of the squash with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place the squash facedown on the baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the flesh easily pierces with a fork.
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2) While the squash bakes, make the sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium/high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, mushrooms, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until veggies begin to soften.
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3) Add the chopped kale and cook for 5 minutes until it wilts. Add the sauce and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
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4) Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the inside so the strands appear. Spoon enough of the marinara mixture inside each squash bowl until almost full. Top evenly with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and transfer them to the oven and broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately!
Oh-ma-gah.
Laura
Love this recipe! I’ve made it twice now & it’s definitely a new favorite. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Life is but a Dish
Hi Laura! Thanks so much! I’m so glad you love it!!!
Roberta
Delicious recipe and just wanted to share the fact that I always have someone in the produce dept. (doesn’t matter what store I’m in) they will always take the squash into the kitchen and cut it for me…comes out wrapped in plastic wrap with the two halves put back together) and it gets weighed and paid for just like a whole one would be…and I haven’t had to deal with the difficult cutting.
Life is but a Dish
Thanks so much for the tip Roberta! I love this!!
Molly Flannery
I really want to cook this for my family but my dad is a meat lover! I think I may add turkey meat or turkey sausage. Would I need to make any adjustments to the seasonings/recipe?
Life is but a Dish
I would cook the meat first in the pan with some seasonings. Then remove and cook the veggies in the same pan and add the meat back in once all is cooked.
Alicia
I heard, (have not tried) that microwaving the spaghetti squash for a minute or so softens it a bit and makes it easier to cut!
Life is but a Dish
Great tip! Thank you!