Lasagna-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
If you’ve never experienced the magic that is spaghetti squash, this is the recipe to kick off your new obsession. It’s called spaghetti squash for a reason, after all, and these tender strands of squash make a remarkable stand-in for our favorite pasta dishes.
Today, this mild-tasting squash is getting a lasagna makeover. Mozzarella, ricotta, meat sauce — the works. It’s a bowl of hot-baked goodness that you get all to yourself, no sharing required.
What is Spaghetti Squash?
I won’t lie to you: spaghetti squash is really not the same as actual spaghetti. You won’t be able to fool yourself or your family members into thinking they’re eating the real thing.
But spaghetti squash has its own merits! It’s very mild-tasting — none of that “squashy” flavor that some folks don’t like. It also has a very unique texture that’s easy to love. Where most squashes get very soft after cooking, strands of spaghetti squash become tender, but stay distinct. In a sauce like this one, they add heartiness and substance without screaming “squash!”
Making the Recipe
This recipe uses two medium-sized spaghetti squashes to make four very generous servings. Come hungry. You can also make this in a 2-quart casserole dish; you lose the fun of eating from a squash, but it makes smaller serving sizes and dealing with leftovers a little easier. Everything can be prepped and assembled the night before you plan to eat, just increase the time in the oven to give the refrigerated fillings time to warm through.
Whether you’re aim is more veggies or fewer carbs or just a new go-to recipe for your weekly meal plan, this recipe is a sure bet.
Lasagna-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2
medium spaghetti squash (about 5 pounds total)
- 1 teaspoon
olive oil
- 1
medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 to 3
cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound
lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
salt, divided
- 1
(15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups
whole or 2% ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup
coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 cup
shredded mozzarella
Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Cut the squashes in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Lay them cut-side down in a roasting pan or other baking dish, and add about an inch of water. Roast until completely tender soft when poked with a fork, 45 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack until cool enough to handle.
While the squash is roasting, heat the olive oil in a high-sided skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onions and cook until translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beef and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until well-browned, breaking up the beef into small crumbles, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering the sauce until the squashes are ready, 5 to 20 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Use a fork to shred the inside of the each squash, leaving about a half-inch of squash left in the shell. Mix the shredded squash into the tomato sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Wipe out the roasting pan and arrange the squash shells inside like bowls. Spoon 1/4 cup of the ricotta mixture into each shell and spread evenly over the bottoms. Spoon half of the tomato-squash mixture over the ricotta and spread into an even layer. Top with the remaining ricotta and tomato sauce, using up the rest of both.
→ At this point, the shells can be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Bake for 15 minutes at 400°F. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the tops of the squashes and bake until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, 15 to 20 minutes more. (For a more golden top, run the squashes under the broiler for a minute or two.) Sprinkle parsley or basil over the tops and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Casserole version: Instead of stuffing the squash shells, this can be baked casserole-style in an 2-quart (8x8-inch) baking dish. Layer a third of the tomato-squash mixture into the dish and top with half of the ricotta. Continue building in layers, ending with the last third of the tomato-squash mixture. Bake for 15 minutes, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbly.
Storage: Leftovers will keep for 1 week in the fridge.