Spaghetti squash has been growing increased popularity as a pasta alternative lately, and for good reason. It is a lot lower in carbs than traditional pasta and can often cook to mimic our beloved carby-favorites. Spaghetti squash is also extremely low in calories, only about 30 calories per 100 grams. Whereas generic spaghetti pasta is about 160 calories per 100 grams.
Considering spaghetti squash is low in carbs and low in calories makes it an excellent substitute for meals when you’re trying to watch and maintain your weight. It is mild in taste but when cooked, strings like spaghetti, which is why it is so easy to add to many meals. We have collected 16 delicious recipes using low carb spaghetti squash that you’ll surely want to try.
There are several ways you can cook spaghetti squash. You can cook it the traditional way, roasted in the oven, or cook it quickly in the microwave. But absolutely nothing compares to how it cooks in the Instant Pot. It cooks in 7 minutes and once cooked the squash quite literally falls off the skin, which means absolutely no squash left behind!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/instant-pot-hack-how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Hashbrown patties are delicious especially dipped into ketchup! However, they generally aren’t very healthy especially if they’ve been deep fried. When your carb-loving hash brown craving strikes you’ll want to give this healthy but still delicious recipe a try.
This recipe is so easy all you’ll need is 2 main ingredients, spaghetti squash, and salt. You can add in herbs for added flavor and you’ll need a bit of oil to cook them. These will take you under 10 minutes to prepare which makes for a quick and easy breakfast. Enjoy them on their own or with a dollop of sour cream.
http://www.forestandfauna.com/spaghetti-squash-hash-browns/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOREST AND FAUNA
Lasagna is a hard meal to give up. It’s carb loaded and cheesy making it the perfect comfort food. It also makes a great meal to feed a large family or awesome for bringing to potlucks. This recipe proves how you can still enjoy the flavors of lasagna you love but without all the carbs.
This keto-friendly recipe replaces lasagna noodles with layers of spaghetti squash. Instead of ground beef, you’ll find Italian turkey sausage. There are still layers of cottage cheese and shredded cheese making this an awesome low carb and comforting meal.
https://kalynskitchen.com/low-carb-mock-lasagna-spaghetti-squash-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KALYN’S KITCHEN
Some of us can’t fathom eating broccoli without cheese sauce. While eating that alone might not be the most wholesome meal, this definitely is. This recipe combines broccoli and cheese with protein-packed chicken and spaghetti squash.
It’ll taste like a pasta dish but remains low carb and very filling. Considering it’s full of cheesy goodness your picky eaters will love this too. It’s also a great way to sneak in more vegetables without them even thinking about it!
https://reciperunner.com/cheesy-chicken-broccoli-stuffed-spaghetti-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: RECIPE RUNNER
If you aren’t a frequent spaghetti squash eater then it could intimidate you. However, when it is combined with the right ingredients it can truly blow you away. If you’re trying to transition spaghetti squash more frequently into your diet then you’ll want to give this garlicky dish a try.
This is a wholesome recipe packed full of lively flavors that will set off your taste buds. First, you’ll need to bake the squash in halves so you can achieve its stringy consistency. Then all the magic happens in the skillet when you combine the creamy sauce with garlicky shrimp and stringy spaghetti squash.
http://www.itscheatdayeveryday.com/garlic-shrimp-spaghetti-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: IT’S CHEAT DAY EVERYDAY
Chow mein is known as a delicious Chinese-styled dish that is made up of fried noodles and is often combined with shredded meat or seafood and vegetables. Chinese takeout might be one of my favorites and it is delicious but it is quite often not healthy. Once again spaghetti squash can help you enjoy a Chinese inspired dish but in a healthy way.
This recipe is gluten-free and vegan so you won’t find any meat here. However, if you aren’t plant-based you could easily add in seafood or meat of your liking. This healthy chow mein is quite easy to make and full of crunchy veggies and savory sauce to keep you coming back for more.
https://littlebitsof.com/2014/10/spaghetti-squash-chow-mein/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LITTLE BITS OF REAL FOOD AND REAL TALK
Chicken Alfredo is another classic pasta dish that makes for awesome comfort food. This chicken alfredo spaghetti squash will be a crowd pleaser with your family. They won’t miss the pasta and you’ll feel good about giving them a meal full of veggies and protein.
While the squash bakes you’ll want to whip up the creamy homemade alfredo sauce. It’s so easy that you might never go back to store-bought again. This meal only takes 15 minutes to put together which makes it a great contender for quick and easy weeknight meals.
https://www.thegunnysack.com/chicken-alfredo-spaghetti-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE GUNNY SACK
This meal was made for all the cheese lovers out there. It is creamy, cheesy and extremely comforting. The spaghetti squash and it’s low carb capabilities help make this meal feel little more guilt-free.
This recipe can be made effortlessly and it even offers tips on how to cut down on cooking time if you are in a hurry. The secret to achieving a creamy cheesy delight is to combine heavy cream with a chicken bouillon cube. It is then topped with a thick layer of a 4 cheese blend to make the ultimate cheesy meal.
https://www.eatwell101.com/roasted-spaghetti-squash-recipe PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: EAT WELL 101
Potatoes are deliciously filling especially when made into tater tots, however, they are high in carbs. These spaghetti squash tater tots are a great alternative for anyone who is watching their carb intake.
To make these tots all you’ll need is 4 simple ingredients. It’s important to use panko breadcrumbs to achieve the perfect texture and they’re also lower in carbs than regular breadcrumbs. Parmesan cheese helps give these tots a desirable cheesy flavor and an egg is used to bind all the ingredients together. You could enjoy these on their own, as a side dish with a meal or even baked into a savory casserole.
https://kirbiecravings.com/spaghetti-squash-tater-tots PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KIRBIE CRAVINGS
If you’re not familiar with jambalaya, it is known as a Cajun dish that is often made up of rice, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables. It is essentially a meat-lovers dream. One cup of white rice has 53 grams of carbs and if that is a big concern for you then this recipe would be a great fit for you.
Instead of rice, this jambalaya starts with spaghetti squash. This dish is hot and spicy with just enough sweet flavors to make everything balance together perfectly. This recipe combines sausage, chicken tenders and fresh veggies in a savory tomato sauce. Combine that with a few spicy flavors and spaghetti squash and you’ll have a wholesome meal ready in no time.
https://goodcheapeats.com/2016/09/spaghetti-squash-jambalaya/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GOOD CHEAP EATS
If tacos make a regular appearance in your household you’ll want to try out this delightful recipe. Making the same old tacos are delicious but if consumed too often can bore quite easily. This recipe offers a healthier low carb alternative to traditional tacos that will quickly become a family favorite.
This casserole will only take you 15 minutes to prep and the rest of the time is spent cooking in the oven. You’ll find gluten-free and delicious taco seasoning, ground meat and fresh tomatoes in this casserole. Top it off with shredded cheese and fresh cilantro and you’ll have an addictive meal that your whole family will request again and again.
http://blessherheartyall.com/spaghetti-squash-taco-bake PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BLESS HER HEAT YA’LL
If you’re constantly on the hunt for quick and easy weeknight dinners then you’ll want to add this one to your list. It takes less than 30 minutes and only requires 4 easy ingredients. Not to mention, this casserole takes on the flavors of pizza, what’s not to love?
Even if your family isn’t a fan of spaghetti squash they’ll like this! The savory tomato sauce that swarms the spaghetti squash will completely mask the thought of any undesirable flavors they imagine are there. It is then finished with shredded melted cheese and pepperoni slices for an authentic pizza taste.
https://delightfulmomfood.com/baked-spaghetti-squash-pizza-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DELIGHTFUL MOM FOOD
Spaghetti squash can even be incorporated into breakfast meals too. If you often skip breakfast, really who has the time these days, then this is a great meal for you. This keto-approved breakfast is very simple to make. It is made in a muffin tin for convenience and great for a make-ahead breakfast meal.
This recipe works great with leftover or freshly roasted spaghetti squash. These mini quiches combine spaghetti squash with eggs, broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese and bacon for a perfect Keto meal. If you want to crank up the heat in this recipe, then sprinkle hot sauce on your mini quiches once they are cooked.
https://www.fromachefskitchen.com/spaghetti-squash-broccoli-bacon-and-cheddar-mini-quiches/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FROM A CHEFS KITCHEN
Grilled cheese without the bread? It doesn’t seem real but this recipe proves you that it can be done. Whether you’re adventurous in the food department or not this grilled cheese is definitely worthy of a try.
Instead of bread, this grilled cheese uses spaghetti squash waffles. It might sound bizarre but when you combine egg, seasonings and spaghetti squash and grill it in a waffle iron it forms this fluffy bread like waffle that’ll blow you away! Then you’ll fill it with sharp white cheddar cheese and pesto to make one unique yet lovely grilled cheese.
http://www.destinationdelish.com/spaghetti-squash-waffle-grilled-cheese/#_a5y_p=5805371 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DESTINATION DELISH
This is another outstanding breakfast recipe where spaghetti squash steals the show. While these may not be as quick and easy as mini quiches it does make for a great breakfast to indulge in on a lazy weekend.
These spaghetti squash boats hold all the savory ingredients perfectly. They’re topped off with a tasty sausage mixture, a cooked egg and loads of flavor to make the world go round.
https://whatgreatgrandmaate.com/paleo-breakfast-spaghetti-squash-boats/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WHAT GREAT GRANDMA ATE
Spaghetti squashes texture is stringy just like regular spaghetti pasta which is why so many use it as a low carb replacement. While spaghetti squash cooked like an actual spaghetti dish might seem like a simple concept it shouldn’t be forgotten.
This meatless dinner is gluten-free, meatless, cost-effective and most of all delicious. You’ll only need 3 ingredients squash, pasta sauce, and cheese. However, you can easily customize this dinner to have as minimal or as many ingredients and toppings as you want. This is a twice baked recipe because first, you’ll bake the squash to get the desirable string-like texture. Next, you’ll mix in the sauce, top it off with cheese and bake again for a golden cheesy perfection.
https://homecookingmemories.com/easy-twice-baked-spaghetti-squash-recipe/#_a5y_p=6182874 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOME COOKING MEMORIES
