Description
Cheesy sausage-stuffed spaghetti squash brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners with minimal ingredients. Hearty protein and creamy cheese nestled inside roasted squash strands create a satisfying meal without traditional pasta complexity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
- 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2–3 lbs/907-1,361 g), halved and seeds removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Slice spaghetti squash lengthwise, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Roasting: Place squash cut-side down on baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 minutes until flesh becomes tender and easily pierced with a fork. Remove and cool slightly.
- Sausage Cooking: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble sausage and cook thoroughly until completely browned, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat.
- Sauce Development: Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to sausage. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors and create a cohesive mixture.
- Squash Transformation: Using a fork, separate roasted squash into spaghetti-like strands within the original shell, maintaining its rustic presentation.
- Assembly and Cheese Topping: Distribute sausage and marinara mixture over squash strands. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly across the surface.
- Final Baking: Return stuffed squash to oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden and bubbly.
- Serving: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while cheese remains hot and melted, presenting a vibrant and flavorful dish.
Notes
- Roast Squash Perfectly: Slice spaghetti squash carefully with a sharp knife, ensuring even halves for consistent cooking and preventing uneven texture.
- Choose Sausage Wisely: Select high-quality Italian sausage with bold flavors, preferably without casings, to enhance overall dish richness and reduce preparation steps.
- Control Moisture Levels: Pat squash and sausage dry before cooking to prevent excess liquid, ensuring a crisp texture and preventing soggy final presentation.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan for optimal melting, creating a golden, bubbly top that adds visual appeal and rich, creamy flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg