I love spaghetti squash. It's easy to cook, has a great texture, swaps out a bunch of my favourite carb-heavy pastas, and is packed with awesome nutrients. Here, I've turned them into lasagna boats using my homemade tomato sauce. The alternating layers of squash, sauce, and cheese are so comforting. I used pepperoni sticks in the sauce because they give it the most amazing smoky flavour and smell. You can use any meat you like, or skip it and go vegetarian.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
Steps:
This page contains the following solutions.
Spaghetti squash is such a nutritious and low calorie substitute for pasta. Many recipes call for baking. I have found that after cutting the squash lengthwise, scooping out the seeds, and microwaving cut side down for about 10 minutes (depending on the size), it is perfectly done. The added bonus is that the seeds can be saved for planting. I simply wash the seeds and leave them out for a few days to dry, then store in a paper envelope.
Remove seeds from squash. Place squash, cut side down, in microwave safe dish. Add water. Cover and microwave on 100% power for 10-14 minutes or until pulp can just be pierced with a fork.
Remove seeds and stringy pieces from center or squash. Discard. Cook each half of squash in microwave for 8 minutes. Will be VERY hot! When cool, use a fork to rake the insides of the squash.
This is a great way to use up all the Spaghetti Squash in your garden. Also a great way to stretch your food bill. Cooks in the microwave so it won't heat up your kitchen in the summertime.
Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard the seeds. Place the squash, cut side down, on a microwave safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 14-16 minutes or until tender.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Does anyone have anything on spaghetti squash?
By Linda
Hi it's easy to cook spaghetti squash. I wash it off, then I poke some holes in it with a sharp knife, put it in a glass baking dish and microwave for 15 minutes on high. Then use a large serrated bread knife to slice in half, scoop out the seeds in the center (like a pumpkin), and then use 2 forks to pull out the squash in strands so it looks like spaghetti. Mix with some butter or margarine, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese.
It's good just like this for a side but we usually use it as spaghetti. I then use whatever sauce we use for regular pasta. Normally brown up some ground beef with onions, green pepper, mushrooms, garlic, garlic salt, pepper and a jar of sauce (like Ragu). Delicious! Don't bother trying to slice it and bake in the oven. So much easier to just microwave it and then it's very easy to slice. 15 minutes is always perfect for a large squash.
You can reduce a minute or two for a smaller one. Really pretty forgiving. The strands will just be firmer or softer depending in how long you cook it so just experiment with your microwave to see how you prefer the texture.
Spaghetti squash is so good! I use it as a substitute for pasta. Using a large knife, I stab a few holes to let off steam, and I microwave it until soft, turning it over every 10 minutes (or the bottom will be mushy by the time the top cooks. I don't like it mushy). How long you nuke it depends on how big it is. When it yields to a little pressure, and you can easily pierce it with a fork.
Take it out and cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and pulp. When you get to where it starts shredding into spaghetti, just take a fork and scrape at it until it separates. I like it as is, with a little salt and pepper, or with a touch of brown sugar and a little butter. I like to leave it in the shell to serve, with beef or chicken stew or spaghetti sauce, or a spicy lentil soup or chili.
I am making a pot roast with roasted veggies right now, and will serve leftovers with spaghetti squash tomorrow. It is also good cooked, pulled apart and added at the last minute to soup or stew. It is much lower carbs and calorie than pasta or rice, and adds some nice texture and a mild flavor to the dish. We love the stuff!
You can also cut it in half and roast it in the oven, but I never do that since cutting a raw one in half is hard for me to do. I hope you like it!
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Spaghetti Squash
Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds. Wrap in plastic wrap or set cut side down on a plate and microwave on high for 7 to 10 minutes. Check periodically to ensure that it doesn't get overdone or you will have mush instead of "spaghetti" strands. It is done when you can pull the strands loose with a fork.
Sauce
2 large carrots diced
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 large onion, diced
pinch of allspice
1 large bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
red pepper flakes
dash of salt
Large can (28 0z) crushed tomatoes
1/2 pound Mozarella Cheese, grated
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Heat olive oil in skillet and add onion and carrot. Sauté 5 minutes over medium heat. Add remaining vegetables. Sauté, stirring frequently, until veggies are tender crisp, about 10 minutes. Add the spices and garlic and simmer for 15 minutes.
Combine squash and vegetable mixture, and layer in casserole alternately with cheeses.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350º until cheese is bubbly, and slightly browned. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Optional: You could use this for a main casserole dish also by adding some ground beef or diced chicken to the sauce
Is there a member that can tell me how to season a spaghetti squash? I have cooked one only one time some years ago. I put butter, salt and a little pepper on it. It needs something else. Can someone help, I'm not too well off in the seasoning dept. I am looking for recipes too. Thank you much.
By Sherry H from Valdosta, GA
I used salted butter and basil when I feel fancy. But I love it with just salt!
I need a recipe for Spaghetti Squash and Liver and onions for the Turbo Cooker. Thanks
Post your ideas online or email them to us.
* The TurboCooker site
To view any of the recipes on the turbo cooker recipe site, you will first need to sign up, just so you know before you go there.
www.turbocooker.com/
They have recipes for:
Bavarian Chicken - Now here's an original -- breaded chicken with pretzels.
Chicken Dumplings - An absolute fantastic family treat, tasty dumplings with a chicken sauce.
Fish, Rice, and Brownies - Now here is a full meal with dessert cooked at the same time WOW!
Grilled Pork Filet - Tender pork with sweet potatoes and stuffed apples.
Pepper Pork Chops - Tender Pork Chops with just the right peppery taste
Frozen Meatballs and Pasta - What could be easier than throwing in some frozen meatballs and pasta into your Turbo Cooker-VOILA!
Quick Stove Top Pizza - A 4 minute, ready to serve stove top pizza.
Scrambled Eggs and Sausages - A full course breakfast, eggs, sausage and breakfast cup cakes
Incredible Cherry and Cola Chocolate Cake - A rich chocolate cake topped with cherries made with a surprise ingredient cola!
Cathy's Bisquick Coffee Cake - Cathy's favorite quick and easy coffee cake!
* You can also get a pdf file of cooking instructions:
www.turbocooker.com/
* Here's an email group for the TurboCooker:
TurboCooker Pages:
losing2gether0.tripod.com/
There is a shrimp recipe and Chicken Enchiladas.
The PDF File does have instructions for cooking meats and spaghetti squash.
Substitute spaghetti squash for the pasta in your soup for a delicious nutty flavor. Try combining chorizo, squash, garlic, onions, and carrots in a flavorful broth for a hearty meal.
Pureed spaghetti squash is the secret ingredient in this delicious orange and cardamon cake, providing a marvelous texture and nutty flavor. Making this cake from scratch is easy to do by following the instructions provided on this page.
For a new twist on serving spaghetti squash try making it into tasty pan fried fritters. Include your favorite additions such as onion, cheese, or bacon and enjoy!
Baked spaghetti squash with Kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, and more combine to give this vegetarian dish a Mediterranean flavor. This page contains a recipe for making "It's all Greek to me" spaghetti squash.
A great substitute for spaghetti noodles is this squash. This page contains gluten free spaghetti squash.
This page contains spaghetti casserole recipes. Add meat and or vegetables to spaghetti to make a great tasting casserole.
