Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
601 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
Description
This recipe begins by roasting halved spaghetti squash cut side down until tender. The flesh is scraped into spaghetti-like strands and drained to remove excess moisture. Meanwhile, a sauce is made by sautéing onions and garlic, browning Italian sausage, and simmering with crushed tomatoes and fresh basil for depth of flavor.
The lasagna layers the ricotta, parmesan, and parsley cheese mixture with the roasted spaghetti squash strands and the rich sausage tomato sauce. Mozzarella is sprinkled on top before baking to meld everything together with a golden crust. The casserole blends the mild, slightly nutty flavors of squash with the robust meat sauce and creamy cheeses.
This dish offers a lighter alternative to classic lasagna by replacing pasta with vegetable strands, retaining layers of flavor and a satisfying baked texture. It can be served as a main course for dinner and appeals to those seeking a vegetable-forward meal without sacrificing richness.
For quicker preparation, the sausage can be browned and combined with jarred spaghetti sauce. The squash may also be cooked in the microwave when pressed for time. Variations can omit sausage for a vegetarian option.
Ingredients
- 2 spaghetti squash small or medium
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese part skim
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 Tablespoon parsley or basil, chopped
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
For the sauce:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 14 ounces Italian sausage you can use reduced fat or chicken sausage
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and membrane. Season lightly with salt and black pepper; bake for about 1 hour, or longer if needed on a baking sheet, cut side down.
- In a small bowl combine the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
- In a large deep sauté pan, heat oil and add onions and garlic; sauté on medium-low for about 3 to 4 minutes, until soft.
- Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into smaller pieces until browned and cooked through.
- When cooked, add the crushed tomatoes and add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, adding fresh basil at the very end.
- When spaghetti squash is cooked, let it cool for about 10 minutes keeping the oven on.
- When the spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to remove the flesh, which will come out in spaghetti-looking strands reserving the shells.
- Drain the squash on a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid, then toss it with half of the sauce. Place the spaghetti squash back into the 4 shells and place them on a baking sheet.
- Top each with the remaining sauce, 1 scoop of ricotta cheese mixture, and a little mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes or until everything is hot and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- To save time, brown the sausage and use canned spaghetti sauce instead of homemade.
- For a vegetarian version, simply omit the sausage and proceed with the sauce and cheeses.
- The spaghetti squash can be cooked in the microwave by halving, scooping seeds, covering, and microwaving for 8-9 minutes until tender.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 601 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 601kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 47g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 126mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 1287mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 671mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1072IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 450mg | 45% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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