I am so excited to share this Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe with you. I was planning on waiting until next week, but it ended up being so much more delicious than I could have ever imagined so I just can't wait!
Here's the backstory on how this recipe came to be: My husband and I were watching a repeat episode of Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives the other night. One of the recipes they were featuring was a Spaghetti Squash Primavera. It was all these vegetables sautéed and then stuffed into a spaghetti squash, topped with fresh mozzarella. I immediately told my husband to hit record so I wouldn't forget about it.
Fast forward to this week. I get all my ingredients together and my original thought is "Wow, this is going to be perfect to post for next week's #MeatlessMonday". I do like to post a vegetarian recipe every now and then for the vegetarians in my life. But then..... I ran into the grocery store again today to grab a gallon of milk (those kids drink so much darn milk) and the dark side took over. As I walked passed the meat department, a pound of ground sausage spoke to me! Well, not literally. But instead of making this a nice healthy vegetarian meal, I decided it would be much better with sausage in the mix. A good old fashioned comfort food! Now I know, it seems with the warmer weather coming I would be staying away from heavy dishes like this, but it was a rainy day today, so it worked out perfectly!
There is a bit of prep work involved, but nothing difficult. Just a lot of chopping etc. As a matter of fact, in an effort to save time you can brown the sausage earlier in the day while the kids are at school or occupied and also cook the veggies ahead too. When it gets closer to dinner time you can just assemble and bake. If you are feeling like making it totally homemade, skip the jarred sauce and make a batch of My Favorite Marinara to use.
Now if you want to make this vegetarian, just omit the sausage. I bet it's just as good. Okay, I don't think JUST as good, but I bet it's almost as good! Of course sausage makes everything a little bit better, doesn't it?
Make sure you use fresh mozzarella on this, not the shredded mozzarella. I know it's a little more costly, but it's worth it. I mean, look how ooey gooey delicious that cheese looks in these pictures!
This recipe has been adapted from Tony's Spaghetti Squash Primavera at The Pit Stop Restaurant.
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 2 spaghetti squash
- 2 T olive oil divided
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves diced
- 3 shallots sliced
- 2 zucchini diced
- 3 celery ribs diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ½ t salt
- ¼ t freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 2 C jarred marinara or My Favorite Marinara
- 16 oz fresh mozzarella
- ¼ C parsley freshly chopped
- 3 basil leaves torn
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Lightly coat the skin of the spaghetti squash with 1 T olive oil. Place on a baking sheet (whole) and cook 1-1 ½ hours depending on the size. When skin can be pierced easily they're done. Set aside to cool.
- While squash is roasting, heat 1 T olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and shallot, cook until just softening (about 4 min). Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add zucchini, celery, bell pepper, salt and pepper. Cook until veggies are just about soft, stirring occasionally. Put cooked veggie mix in large bowl.
- Return skillet to medium heat and add sausage pan. Brown sausage. Drain if necessary. Add sausage to bowl with vegetables.
- When spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds (using a spoon is easiest). Scoop "spaghetti" strands into the same bowl as the sausage and vegetables. Keep the squash shell intact.
- Add 2 C marinara to bowl and stir well to combine.
- Spoon mixture into squash shells and top with thick slices of mozzarella.
- Return to the oven and bake 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Top each squash with parsley and basil.
Baby June says
Mmm, that does look good! I've never tried stuffing a spaghetti squash but I will have to now. Great photos! 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Thanks! I had never prepared it this way either, but I will be experimenting w/ different "stuff" in the future!
Karen @ From the Garden Table says
I'm, always interested in new/different ways to use spaghetti squash (and zucchini!) This looks yummy, pinned!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Karen, glad you like the idea
Julie says
It has been way too long since I've had spaghetti squash - thanks for the reminder!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Love all that fresh mozzarella on top!! This looks to die for!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Love this dish! I'd take with no sauasage...my hubby would want twice as much. It works out perfectly!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
I make these whenever I can!! <3 spaghetti squash!
Meredith in sock monkeys slippers says
I just love stuffed squash! This looks fab!
Amanda @the_kitcheneer says
I love spaghetti squash! Such a low carb way to enjoy "pasta"! I am always looking for spaghetti squash recipes and this looks like a must try!
Marly says
I would make this recipe by substituting some veggie sausage and some vegan cheese. Thanks for the inspiration!
foodyschmoody says
That would be a great!
Dina@Kitchen Dreaming says
Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Social over at Kitchen Dreaming. We hope to see you again next week.
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning says
Sounds wonderful both with and without sausage~very nice. Stopping by from Freedom Friday.
Trish says
Sounds delightful!!! A must try.
foodyschmoody says
Great! I'm glad you think so Trish.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Spaghetti squash is the best. I love this version, stuffed with so much deliciousness!
Melanie says
This looks so good. I wish that I had the patience to make something like this!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Would you lookie there! I'm in awe of this stuffed spaghetti squash and am pinning it ASAP to my "recipes I'm dying to try" file. Thanks for sharing such a mouthwatering recipe!
Carisa Smith says
I'm visiting from my new blog Messes to Memories. I have been looking for a good Spaghetti Squash recipe. This looks incredible. I pinned it so I can try it soon!!! Thanks.
foodyschmoody says
Hello, Carisa, thanks for visiting. I will be sure to come and browse around your new blog. Always excited to connect w/ new blogs.
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
I absolutely love spaghetti squash...and even better with fresh mozzarella!
foodyschmoody says
I believe everything is made better w/ fresh mozzarella. Thanks so much for visiting Elizabeth.
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Sausage does make everything better! Of course all of that melty cheese doesn't hurt, either.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I just love Spaghetti Squash! This looks fantastic
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
spaghetti squash is awesome! I love how it seems to go with just about any flavors you want to add.
Kenneth Goh says
I like the way you served your spaghetti squash. I did prepare the squash about 3 months back and I love it. Yours look very tasty. Thanks for sharing with 4 seasons blog hop. Cheers and have a nice day.
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Wonderful idea! Spaghetti squash is so versatile. You certainly added a bunch of awesome ingredients to it - bookmarking this!!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks so much Rose, I'm glad you like the recipe.
Lori Hart says
Wow does this look amazing! I turned hubby onto spaghetti squash a few months ago and now he cannot get enough. I found your recipe over at the Treasure Box Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it as much as I do. Here is the link http://bit.ly/1l4cu0j. Have a wonderful day!!
foodyschmoody says
Great thanks Lori. Spaghetti squash is a wonderfully weird thing and I go through spurts w it. This is by far my favorite way to serve thus far. I usually venture over there to link up anyway, so I'm on my way.
Kimberly Lewis says
This looks amazing! Jessica loved it so much that she picked it as her favorite! We will be featuring it at our party tonight. Please join us at 7 pm. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
foodyschmoody says
So great, thanks Kim. I will be by tonight 🙂
Momme2Five says
Yum! I am trying this out this weekend. My kids will love eating right out of the squash. Thank u.
foodyschmoody says
Oh I'm so glad you are going to try it. I hope you'll come back and let me know how it goes over. Eating right out of the squash definitely adds the fun!
mimi says
Interesting! I've only used spaghetti squash "as is" or like pasta. I've stuffed other squashes, but why not spaghettis!!! Brilliant!!! Love your recipe!
foodyschmoody says
Oh thank you so much for the compliment!