Cheesy Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
This Cheesy Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash is a crowd-pleaser that brings the flavors of classic Italian cuisine right to your dinner table. The dish features tender strands of spaghetti squash baked to perfection and filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a rich marinara sauce. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley, it's a wholesome and comforting meal that even the pickiest of eaters, like my 10-year-old daughter, can't resist. Perfect for family dinners or as a delightful dish for gatherings.
N/A
Servings
80
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
spaghetti squash
1 (medium (2 1/4 lb), halved and seeded)
Italian sausage
12 ounces (crumbled)
mushrooms
1 1/2 cups (sliced)
green or red bell pepper
1 (chopped)
onion
1/3 cup (finely chopped)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
black olives
1 (4 1/4 ounce) can (drained and chopped)
Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups (ready-made)
mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded)
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Halve the spaghetti squash crosswise and remove the seeds. Place the cut sides down in a 2-quart baking dish and add 1/4 cup of water. Cover with plastic wrap.
3
Microwave on high for 13-15 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. Be sure to rearrange the squash once during cooking for even steaming.
4
In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, mushrooms, chopped bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
5
Once the squash is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave and let it cool slightly. Scrape the pulp from the squash into a bowl, creating spaghetti-like strands.
6
Wipe out the baking dish and coat it with non-stick cooking spray. In the dish, spread half of the spaghetti squash strands evenly. Layer on half of the sausage mixture and half of the drained black olives. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.
7
Top this layer with half of the spaghetti sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
8
Repeat the layers with the remaining squash, the rest of the sausage mixture, the remaining olives, and the remaining spaghetti sauce.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes until bubbly.
10
Once done, allow it to stand for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash!
Nutrition Information
4.7g
Fat
6g
Carbs
4.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash?
It is a wholesome and comforting Italian-inspired meal featuring tender spaghetti squash strands filled with Italian sausage, sauteed vegetables, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
There are 80 calories per serving in this recipe.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving contains 6 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this recipe provide?
This dish provides 4.7 grams of protein per serving.
What is the total fat content?
The recipe contains 4.7 grams of fat per serving.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How do I prepare the spaghetti squash?
Halve the squash crosswise, remove the seeds, place cut sides down in a baking dish with 1/4 cup water, and microwave on high for 13 to 15 minutes.
Can I cook the squash in the microwave?
Yes, microwaving on high for 13 to 15 minutes is the recommended method for softening the squash.
What size spaghetti squash should I use?
A medium-sized spaghetti squash weighing approximately 2 1/4 pounds is ideal.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of crumbled Italian sausage.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes mushrooms, green or red bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic.
How many mushrooms are needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of sliced mushrooms.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Does this recipe include olives?
Yes, it includes one 4.25-ounce can of drained and chopped black olives.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 3 cloves of minced garlic.
What kind of sauce should I use?
You can use 1 1/2 cups of your favorite ready-made spaghetti sauce.
How long does the dish need to bake?
The dish is baked for 30 minutes, then topped with more cheese and baked for an additional 5 minutes.
How do I create the spaghetti strands?
Once the squash is cooked and cooled slightly, use a fork to scrape the pulp into a bowl to create the strands.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 2-quart baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
Should I drain the sausage fat?
Yes, after cooking the sausage with the vegetables, you should drain off any excess fat.
What seasonings are added to the squash?
Italian seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper are used for seasoning.
How should I layer the ingredients?
Layer half the squash, half the sausage/olive mixture, seasonings, half the sauce, and half the cheese, then repeat the process.
Is there a garnish for this dish?
Yes, sprinkle 1/4 cup of fresh chopped parsley over the dish before serving.
How long should the dish stand after baking?
It is recommended to let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly meal that even pickiest eaters like children enjoy.
Is this recipe considered low-carb?
Yes, spaghetti squash is a popular low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.
Can I use red or green bell peppers?
Either green or red bell peppers work perfectly for this recipe.
What should I do if the squash isn't tender after 13 minutes?
Continue microwaving in short increments until it is easily pierced with a fork.
How do I prevent the squash from steaming unevenly?
Be sure to rearrange the squash once during the microwave cooking process for even steaming.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The dish features classic Italian flavors including garlic, Italian sausage, marinara, and mozzarella.