Savory Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Infusion
This delightfully versatile dish showcases the natural sweetness of spaghetti squash, making it a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta. Loaded with the rich flavor of roasted garlic, it seamlessly adapts to any pasta sauce or topping you desire, whether served warm as a hearty main course or chilled as a refreshing side dish. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or dinner parties, this recipe allows you to use leftover vegetables, meats, or cheeses, ensuring it remains a staple in your culinary repertoire. Enjoy it with our careful finishing tips, and impress both guests and family alike with this healthy, satisfying dish.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash
1 (Halved and seeds scooped out)
Garlic
1 head (Thinly sliced)
Salt
to taste (N/A)
Pepper
to taste (N/A)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (Mixed with vegetable oil)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (Mixed with olive oil)
Meat or Cheese
as desired (Cooked and chopped (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to between 350°F and 375°F.
2
With a sturdy sharp knife, carefully halve the raw spaghetti squash lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and stringy inner flesh (discarding them) using a spoon.
3
Place the squash halves, cut side up, in an oven-safe baking dish.
4
Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves from the head of garlic. Larger slices tend to brown beautifully and add a rich complexity.
5
Evenly distribute the sliced garlic into the hollowed-out center of the squash. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6
Drizzle a mixture of equal parts olive oil and vegetable oil over the garlic and squash, ensuring the oil is evenly spread throughout the interior.
7
Bake the squash in the oven on the upper middle rack for approximately 30-40 minutes. It is done when the flesh can be easily pierced with a fork and separates from the skin with ease.
8
Remove the squash from the oven and let it cool in the coldest place in your kitchen for at least 20 minutes. This allows the squash to set and makes it easier to handle.
9
Using a fork, scrape the flesh of the squash to create spaghetti-like strands. At this stage, feel free to mix in any additional ingredients such as cooked meat, sausage, or vegetables.
10
If using a loose tomato-based sauce, please do not mix it directly into the squash, as this can lead to a watery dish. Instead, top the squash with a small amount of sauce and serve the remainder on the side.
11
Enjoy the versatile spaghetti squash as a meal, or store leftovers for a delicious alternative in future dishes. You can also mix leftovers with a bit of flour, form into patties, and pan-fry for a delightful twist.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary ingredient in this recipe?
The primary ingredient is one spaghetti squash, halved and seeded.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
You should preheat your oven to between 350°F and 375°F.
How do I prepare the garlic for this dish?
Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves from a whole head of garlic; larger slices are recommended as they brown beautifully.
How should the squash be placed in the baking dish?
The squash halves should be placed cut side up in an oven-safe baking dish.
What types of oil are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a mixture of equal parts olive oil and vegetable oil.
How long does the spaghetti squash need to bake?
Bake the squash for approximately 30-40 minutes on the upper middle rack.
How can I tell if the squash is fully cooked?
It is done when the flesh can be easily pierced with a fork and separates from the skin with ease.
Why do I need to let the squash cool after baking?
Letting it cool for at least 20 minutes allows the squash to set and makes it much easier to handle.
How do I create the 'spaghetti' strands?
Using a fork, scrape the flesh of the cooked squash to create spaghetti-like strands.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes, you can mix in cooked meat, sausage, or cheese once the strands are scraped.
What is the best way to serve this with tomato sauce?
Top the squash with a small amount of sauce and serve the rest on the side rather than mixing it in directly.
Why shouldn't I mix loose tomato sauce directly into the squash?
Mixing loose sauce directly into the squash can lead to a watery dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep and can be stored for future use.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
Can I use leftovers to make something else?
Yes, you can mix leftovers with a bit of flour, form them into patties, and pan-fry them.
Is this recipe considered low-carb?
Yes, spaghetti squash is a popular low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.
Can this dish be served cold?
Yes, it can be served chilled as a refreshing side dish or warm as a main course.
What seasoning is required?
The recipe calls for a generous seasoning of salt and pepper to taste.
What equipment do I need to cut the squash?
You will need a sturdy sharp knife to carefully halve the raw squash lengthwise.
What should I do with the seeds?
The seeds and stringy inner flesh should be scooped out and discarded using a spoon.
Where in the oven should the dish be placed?
It should be baked on the upper middle rack of the oven.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, the base recipe is vegan as long as you do not add meat or cheese.
Is this dish suitable for dinner parties?
Yes, it is described as a great way to impress guests with a healthy and satisfying dish.
Can I add extra vegetables to the squash?
Yes, you can mix in leftover or freshly cooked vegetables when you scrape the strands.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
What kind of oil mixture is best?
The recipe recommends equal parts olive oil and vegetable oil, totaling 4 tablespoons.
How should the garlic be distributed?
Evenly distribute the sliced garlic into the hollowed-out center of the squash halves.
Is the garlic infusion strong?
Using an entire head of garlic provides a rich and complex flavor profile.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator to use as a pasta alternative or for making squash patties.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The dish features the natural sweetness of the squash paired with savory roasted garlic.