January 21, 2013

Italian spaghetti squash bake

Serving bowl with a fork picking up some Italian spaghetti squash bake.

I've gone from not really liking spaghetti squash, to being a little sad that I used the last one in our winter stash to make this dish (again). Luckily, it makes a lot and I get a couple lunches out of it, too.  

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 This spaghetti squash bake is a combination of this recipe from Girlichef and a dish I've made with spaghetti squash in the past. 

Spaghetti squash it such an interesting vegetable. That it transforms from this big, heavy and hard winter squash into light little strands is quite amazing.  

I think a lot of people try to "replace" noodles with spaghetti squash strands and I think that's why it never worked for me. I went in with the wrong mindset. Once I accepted that the spaghetti squash was the star in its own right, I began to appreciate it more. 

And while this dish could certainly use spaghetti in place of the squash, I would rather have it with the squash. That's the sign of my official transformation to a spaghetti squash fan. Incidentally, my other favorite way to eat spaghetti squash is this gratin - it's delicious.

Baking dish of finished Italian spaghetti squash bake.

This dish may not be the most photogenic, but it's still truly delicious. The below recipe will make enough to feed about six people.


Italian spaghetti squash bake
1 medium-large spaghetti squash
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
1 lb. bulk Italian sausage (I used hot chicken Italian sausage)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
good pinch of sea salt and a couple grinds of black pepper
1 cup thawed and roughly chopped frozen spinach
1 28 oz. jar tomato puree
1 16 oz. container ricotta cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until you can easily pierce it with a fork, about 30 minutes. Let cool. When cool, use a fork to remove and separate the spaghetti squash strands into a large bowl.

In a large and deep skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until golden and cooked through. Drain most of the fat and then add the onion and garlic. 

Cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened. Stir in the red pepper, 1-1/2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes and then add the tomato puree. Stir will and cook until heated through. Stir in the spinach and spaghetti squash until well-combined. 

Turn the oven up to 400 degrees. Place a large and deep baking dish onto a baking sheet in case it bubbles over. Lightly oil the baking dish. Add half of the spaghetti squash mixture to the dish and spread evenly. Then spread the ricotta evenly on top. Place the remaining spaghetti squash mixture on top of the ricotta. Spread evenly. Top with the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

Bake until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden. Let sit for about five minutes and then serve.

Serving bowl of Italian spaghetti squash bake. 

21 comments:

  1. This looks delicious-- I love spaghetti squash!

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  2. I totally agree that spaghetti squash is best when it is not expected to be a pasta substitute. I tried it for the first time a couple months ago, and while I'm not in love with it, I'd like to cook it again. This recipe looks fantastic!

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  3. Not photogenic? I think it looks delicious! Look at all that gooey cheesy goodness! This is the perfect way to do spaghetti squash. Yum!

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  4. I've come around to really liking spaghetti squash too. I need to make use of it while it's in season. It sounds great in this baked dish!

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  5. Love this recipe! Spaghetti Squash is sooo good!

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  6. I need to try spaghetti squash...I never have! Yikes! This looks really good!

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  7. Your spaghetti squash looks so amazing! Loving all that delicious cheese! Especially when it's baked!!

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  8. I adore spaghetti squash, too, but mainly use it instead of pasta. Your recipe is the most tempting one I've ever seen utilizing spaghetti squash...I may make converts out of the rest of the family!

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  9. I LOVE spaghetti squash! This looks like such a wonder and easy recipe. Yum!

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  10. What a great way to prepare spaghetti squash...looks awesome and so flavorful.
    Have a wonderful week Amy!

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  11. It's so hot in Sydney but I really want to make this. I cannot bear to put the oven on! It looks so yummy. I think I could swap the sausages for veggie sausages?

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  12. This squash bake looks delicious. I love that cheesy top!

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  13. I am a lover of spaghetti squash and this looks insanely delicious! I love what you did with it! Super comfort food.

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  14. oh wow, this looks so super delicious - like pure comfort food! i wish i was eating this right now - for breakfast :)

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  15. I tend to neglect spaghetti squash but really should do more with it! this is such a serious comfort food dish!

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  16. What a great comfort dish! I agree that the mindset regarding spaghetti squash is to understand that it's not going to replace actual pasta because it shines by itself!

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  17. Spaghetti squash is something I don't cook with enough. This Italian Bake looks so yummy, you've inspired me to start trying out some new recipes with spaghetti squash too! :)

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  18. I haven't had spaghetti squash yet... I've seen them a lot on food blogs and I really need to give it a try! This is such a wonderful comfort dish!

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  19. oh wow! I don't even need to try this to know it would be my favorite way to eat spaghetti squash!

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  20. I've just found a new thing to do with spaghetti squash. Thanks for sharing.

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