Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake
Indulge in a low-carb deliciousness with this Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake! This hearty, one-dish meal features tender layers of roasted spaghetti squash, a rich and creamy ricotta and chevre cheese blend, and a zesty tomato sauce infused with Italian turkey sausage. Topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan, this casserole is comforting and satisfying, perfect for families or meal prepping. Feel free to personalize it with your favorite veggies, spices, or other additions to make it your own. Enjoy a flavorful twist to traditional lasagna without the carbs!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spaghetti squash
1 large (roasted and scraped into strands)
Chevre cheese
4 ounces (softened)
Ricotta cheese
15 ounces (softened)
Mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (grated)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (for layering)
Whole tomatoes with basil
2 (28 ounce) cans (crushed or broken up)
Bulk Italian turkey sausage
1 pound (browned)
Small onion
1 (finely diced)
Garlic cloves
4 large (minced)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Using a fork, prick the spaghetti squash all over to allow steam to escape. Place the squash on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until it's tender to the touch.
3
Once roasted, remove the squash and let it cool on the counter. While the squash cools, heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and brown the turkey sausage by breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink.
4
Add the finely diced onion and half of the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
5
Stir in the canned whole tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon. Lower the heat, partially cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes to develop the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Once the squash has cooled, carefully cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. With a fork, scrape the flesh into a bowl, creating spaghetti-like strands. Set aside.
7
In a separate large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining minced garlic, cooking briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute.
8
Incorporate the scraped spaghetti squash into the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly golden. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat.
9
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chevre cheese, grated Parmesan, the egg, and half of the grated mozzarella. Mix until well combined.
10
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a lasagna pan, start by pouring a ladleful of the simmered sauce to coat the bottom.
11
Layer half of the sautéed spaghetti squash over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta-cheese mixture on top. Repeat the layers starting with the remaining spaghetti squash, followed by the rest of the ricotta mixture and lastly cover with the remaining tomato sauce.
12
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
13
Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
14
Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake?
It is a low-carb, hearty meal featuring layers of roasted spaghetti squash, a creamy ricotta and chevre blend, and a turkey sausage tomato sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a low-carb alternative to traditional lasagna by using spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
How do I prepare the spaghetti squash for roasting?
Prick the spaghetti squash all over with a fork to allow steam to escape, then place it on a baking sheet.
What temperature should I roast the squash at?
Roast the spaghetti squash in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).
How long does it take to roast the spaghetti squash?
It typically takes about 1 hour or until the squash is tender to the touch.
What kind of meat is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 pound of bulk Italian turkey sausage.
What vegetables are added to the meat sauce?
A finely diced small onion and half of the minced garlic cloves are sautéed with the turkey sausage.
What kind of tomatoes are recommended?
Two 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes with basil, broken up with a spoon, are used for the sauce.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 30 minutes to develop its flavors.
How do I get the spaghetti-like strands from the squash?
Once cooled and seeded, use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash into strands.
Do I need to cook the squash strands before layering?
Yes, sauté the squash strands in olive oil and garlic for 3-4 minutes until slightly golden.
Which cheeses are used in the cheese mixture?
The mixture includes ricotta cheese, chevre cheese, grated Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella.
Why is an egg added to the cheese mixture?
An egg is included in the cheese blend to help bind the layers together during baking.
What temperature is used for the final bake?
The assembled lasagna should be baked at 375°F (190°C).
How do I start the layering process?
Begin by pouring a ladleful of the simmered sauce into the bottom of a lasagna pan.
What is the order of the layers?
Layer squash, then cheese mixture, then repeat, finishing with tomato sauce and a topping of mozzarella.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese.
How long should the lasagna be baked while covered?
Cover the casserole with foil and bake it for 30 minutes.
How long is the bake time after removing the foil?
Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Does the lasagna need to rest after baking?
Yes, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Can I customize this recipe with other ingredients?
Yes, you can personalize it with your favorite vegetables, spices, or other additions.
How much chevre cheese is required?
The recipe requires 4 ounces of softened chevre cheese.
How much ricotta cheese is required?
The recipe requires 15 ounces of softened ricotta cheese.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 4 large garlic cloves, minced.
How much olive oil is needed?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used: one for the sauce and one for sautéing the squash.
What type of Parmesan is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as a hearty one-dish meal perfect for meal prepping.
What seasoning is used?
Salt and pepper are used to taste throughout the cooking process.
Is the spaghetti squash roasted whole?
Yes, the squash is pricked and roasted whole before being cut and scraped.
Is this recipe considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a healthy, low-carb twist on traditional Italian lasagna.