Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

September 18, 2013Teresa Ambra

2013 – Gluten Free Living

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is so mouthwatering you won’t be able to stop eating it! I absolutely adore this fabulous way of making spaghetti squash! It’s very similar to Eggplant Parmesan and Zucchini Parmesan in style. Yet, this recipe is FILLED with lots of fresh veggies and three different types of cheese. While my Spaghetti Squash with Salsa is also a very great favorite, I have to say that this recipe even trumps that one.

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Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is made with spaghetti squash, of course. But it’s also filled with celery, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, red, orange and yellow bell peppers, onions, garlic, and leeks. These veggies are added to crushed tomatoes so that it makes it’s own marinara-type sauce. These ingredients are seasoned with oregano, basil and crushed red pepper flakes. The spaghetti squash mixture is layered twice with parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheeses in the middle and on top. It is S-E-N-S-A-T-I-O-N-A-l!!!

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan has so many health benefits, too. It’s filled with antioxidant veggies, it’s also gluten free, low calorie, and a fantastic way to use up garden produce. Especially if your garden is brimming with any of these veggies. You could even make your own homemade crushed tomatoes for the sauce if you had an abundance of tomatoes you are trying to use up.

Truly, the sky is the limit with this casserole. You could easily add butternut squash, broccoli or cauliflower to this dish and still get amazing results. And, if you wanted a southwestern flavor, consider adding black beans and corn with a little cumin, cilantro and chili powder.

I found this recipe on the Internet back in 2000. That was way before there were such a thing as food blogs. Or recipes with delicious-looking pictures which we have today. I printed out the recipe, but I don’t even remember seeing a picture of it back then. However, at the time I had been wanting to try more recipes with spaghetti squash and this one sounded good.

The link I’ve provided no longer includes a notation that I have on my original downloaded page. This recipe was adapted from Chef Alice Waters. I have not been able to find the original recipe. But I wanted to make sure she got credit for it even if I have deviated from the recipe somewhat over the years.

The awesome thing about this dish is it’s a great idea for Meatless Mondays. It’s one of those casseroles that’s so hearty, filling and satisfying. It’s a terrific recipe for those of you trying to cut down on your weekly intake of meat. It’s also great comfort food as well. Nowadays, spaghetti squash can be purchased almost any time of the year, too. So you don’t have to eat this only in the late summer or fall when the harvest comes in.

I served this dish last week for company with Tijuana Torte. I’ve also served it for Thanksgiving dinner! The first time I made this was for a Thanksgiving dinner where we had a houseful of company. We invited at least three or four other families. Even the finicky eaters of the group raved over this delicious casserole.

I think you will LOVE Spaghetti Squash Parmesan just as much as our family, and our company have enjoyed it over the years. It’s one of those special casseroles that becomes memorable so you make it over and over and over again. This is a fabulous way to use up spaghetti squash or other garden veggies.It’s such a dynamite recipe, you should consider making it some time soon. How about for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or the Thanksgiving holidays? 🙂

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is one of our favorite casserole recipes.

It’s chocked full of veggies. Even though it’s lighter fare, it’s not light on taste!

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is one of our favorite casserole recipes!

Here’s what I did.

Bake a spaghetti squash about an hour in the oven at 350. I didn’t poke it or do anything to it but stick it on one of the racks in the oven. This is what it looks like after baking.

After it cools, slice in half. Remove pulp and seeds. Discard. Remove squash with the tines of a fork and put in a separate bowl. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in a LARGE cast-iron Dutch oven heat olive oil. This one holds 9 quarts! Add diced onion and saute. Add carrot chips or crinkle cut carrots.

Add diced leeks. Leeks provide a wonderful aroma and flavor to your casseroles. They are also great in soups.

Add red, orange and yellow bell pepper cut in long strips.

Add yellow squash that’s been julienned or cut in long strips. Add julienned zucchini.

Add celery cut on the diagonal. Add red pepper flakes.

Add salt. Stir to combine. Saute.

Add crushed tomatoes.

Add finely minced garlic, basil and oregano. The original recipe calls for allspice but I’ve always eliminated that from the recipe because it seemed an odd addition. I would recommend fennel seed or a chopped up fennel bulb for more flavor if you desire it, however.

Stir to combine again. Continue cooking the veggies.

Add the spaghetti squash. This was really a whopper. I probably should have added more crushed tomatoes to make this a little more tomato-ey.

Combine spaghetti squash with all the other veggies in the large Dutch oven.

Spray a large 10×15″ glass baking dish or roaster pan with cooking spray. Spread HALF of the spaghetti squash mixture into the pan.

Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

I added freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Here is the freshly grated Romano cheese. I also added that on top of the Parmesan cheese.

Spread remaining spaghetti squash mixture over top of the cheese layer.

Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Now sprinkle with the remaining finely grated Parmesan cheese.

Add the finely grated Romano cheese.

Place Spaghetti Squash Parmesan in the oven and bake at 350 about 30 minutes tented with foil, or until casserole gets bubbly.

You can see the bubbles on the surface. Tent the casserole with foil while baking (don’t put on tightly or the cheese will stick to the foil), as this will help the cheeses melt and not dry out.

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is one terrific entree. It’s perfect for Meatless Mondays.

Here’s a serving of this fantastic Spaghetti Squash Parmesan recipe. I served Spaghetti Squash Parmesan for company along with Tijuana Torte and some Bacon Jalapeno Cornbread.

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is a fabulous casserole to make for company too. It’s great anytime you want a wholesome veggie main dish supper. We served this the second night with Chunky Homemade Salsa and chips.

Here’s the recipe.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PARMESAN

(Recipe adapted from Alice Waters, via: http://www.cooksrecipes.com/mless/spaghetti-squash-casserole-recipe.html)

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

Teresa Ambra

Fabulous comfort food recipe using spaghetti squash. It has a LOT of assorted garden veggies like bell peppers, carrots, leeks, zucchini and yellow squash. It's layered twice with parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheeses. It's a terrific entree for Meatless Mondays or as a side dish for company and holidays like Easter or Mother's Day.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 2 30

Course Veggie/Casserole

Cuisine Italian

Servings

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

1 large cookie sheet pan or roasting pan
1 large skillet
1 wooden spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
1 9x13" glass baking dish

Ingredients

1 large spaghetti squash cooked, cooled, pulp removed and discarded and removed from shell with a fork
10 oz. pkg. carrot chips or 2 large carrots, crinkle-cut
2 ribs celery sliced diagonally
1 large zucchini julienned
1 large yellow squash julienned
1 leek green top removed, thoroughly washed and diced
1 large yellow onion julienned or one bunch of green onions
1 red bell pepper julienned
1 orange or yellow bell pepper julienned (or use both)
2 tbsp. olive oil
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes or to taste
1 tsp. kosher salt or sea salt, or to taste
5 cloves garlic finely minced
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 lb. mozzarella cheese shredded
3-4 oz. Romano cheese which when finely grated = about 2 cups
3-4 oz. parmesan cheese which when finely grated = about 2 cups

Instructions

Place squash on cookie sheet and bake in oven about 1 to 1 and ½ hours.
Allow to cool slightly so you can work with it.
Slice in half and remove seeds.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, leek and carrot.
Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add remaining vegetables, red pepper flakes and season with salt, as desired.
Sauté stirring frequently, until vegetables are nearly tender, about 7 to 10 minutes.
I cooked mine over a lower heat so it took about 15 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes, garlic, basil and oregano.
Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Remove the strands of meat from the spaghetti squash with a fork.
Mix squash with vegetables and put half in the bottom of a large, lightly greased baking dish.
Top with half of the cheeses, the remaining squash mixture, and then the remaining cheeses.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, covered or until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Let cool a few minutes before serving.

Notes

NOTE: I tented the casserole with foil before baking. That way the cheese doesn't burn or stick to the foil.

Recipe adapted from Chef Alice Waters, Cooks Recipes.

^© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 13gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 590mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4364IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 333mgIron: 2mg

Keyword carrots, casserole, gluten free, main dish, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, side dish, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, vegetable, yellow squash, zucchini

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

[b]Spaghetti Squash Parmesan[/b]

Recipe Type: Veggie/Casserole

Cuisine: Italian

Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-Waters/74837008344″ target=”_blank” title=”chef alice waters”]Chef Alice Waters[/url] via [url href=”http://www.cooksrecipes.com/mless/spaghetti-squash-casserole-recipe.html” target=”_blank” title=”spaghetti squash casserole”]Cooks Recipes[/url]

Prep time: 1 hour

Cook time: 1 hour 30 mins

Total time: 2 hours 30 mins

Serves: 12

Fabulous Meatless Monday recipe using spaghetti squash and a LOT of assorted garden veggies layered with three cheeses.

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash
10-oz. carrot chips or 2 large carrots, crinkle-cut
2 ribs celery, sliced diagonally
1 large zucchini, julienned
1 large yellow squash, julienned
1 leek, green top removed, quartered and sliced
1 large yellow onion, julienned or one bunch of green onions
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 orange or yellow bell pepper, julienned
2 tbsp. olive oil
28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tsp. kosher salt, or to taste
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
about 3-4-oz. block Romano cheese, which when finely grated = about 2 cups
about 3-4-oz. block Parmesan cheese, which when finely grated = about 2 cups

Instructions

Place squash on cookie sheet and bake in oven about 1 to 1 and ½ hours.
Allow to cool slightly so you can work with it.
Slice in half and remove seeds.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, leek and carrot.
Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add remaining vegetables, red pepper flakes and season with salt, as desired.
Sauté stirring frequently, until vegetables are nearly tender, about 7 to 10 minutes.
I cook mine over a lower heat so it took about 15 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes, garlic, basil and oregano.
Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Remove the strands of meat from the spaghetti squash with a fork.
Mix squash with vegetables and put half in the bottom of a large, lightly greased baking dish.
Top with half of the cheeses, the remaining squash mixture, and then the remaining cheeses.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, covered or until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Let cool a few minutes before serving.

Here’s a close up so you can see the surface of the casserole. Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is healthy, low calorie and gluten free. This is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies!

Doesn’t Spaghetti squash Parmesan look wonderful? This mouthwatering recipe should be on your holiday baking list!

This mouthwatering main or side dish is hearty, filling and such satisfying comfort food.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Spaghetti Squash Gratin

Spaghetti Squash with Salsa

Zucchini Parmesan

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

Teresa Ambra

Fabulous comfort food recipe using spaghetti squash. It has a LOT of assorted garden veggies like bell peppers, carrots, leeks, zucchini and yellow squash. It’s layered twice with parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheeses. It’s a terrific entree for Meatless Mondays or as a side dish for company and holidays like Easter or Mother’s Day.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 2 30

Course Veggie/Casserole

Cuisine Italian

Servings

Calories 220 kcal