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This Italian-Style Spaghetti Squash Casserole is such a flavorful, simple, and healthy dinner casserole when you are craving comfort food! It’s low carb, gluten-free, and hearty!
How to Make A Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Craving Italian food? This spaghetti squash dinner filled with sautéed spinach and chicken is your answer. This is an amazing dinner, my friends. Everyone who has tried it absolutely loves it. A huge hit all around!
Gluten-free, Grain-free, dairy-free if you omit the cheese, and so filling! This dinner makes for the perfect meal-prep item as well. Make it at the beginning of the week and enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner all week long!
Ingredients
Scroll down for the full recipe!
- Spaghetti squash
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Spinach
- Chicken Breasts
- Tomato Sauce
- Egg
- Italian Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Garlic Powder
- Parmesan Cheese
How to Roast Spaghetti Squash
If cooking spaghetti squash feels intimidating to you, you’re not alone. But believe it or not, it’s actually super easy to make. I’ve put together instructions for making either roasted spaghetti squash or instant pot spaghetti squash.
You can find my full tutorial for two different methods on roasting spaghetti squash!
- Preheat oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out seeds.
- Brush inside with oil.
- Place facedown on baking sheet and adding water to the baking sheet.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until you can pierce with a fork.
- Simply scrape out “spaghetti” with a fork and Enjoy!
How to Cut Spaghetti Squash (Safley)
Spaghetti squash has pretty thick walls so it can be somewhat difficult to cut through. Your best answer to safely cutting a spaghetti squash is to have a large sharp knife, and a flat stead surface to cut it. As long as you do it safely and proceed with caution, you will be just fine! Just follow these few simple steps:
- Set the squash horizontally on a cutting board.
- Use a large, sharp chef’s knife to cut off each end.
- Flip the squash so it stands upright with the widest end on the cutting board.
- With one hand, steady the spaghetti squash, and with the other press the knife into the squash before using your weight to leverage the knife through the squash.
- Once the knife is at least an inch inside the squash use your other hand to push down on the knife until it cuts through the squash entirely. Slice down the center to split it into two halves lengthwise.
- Once the squash is cut, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and it’s ready to cook!
Do You Eat the Skin of Spaghetti Squash?
No! Definitely not. While some types of squash have edible skin, spaghetti squash is not one of them. To serve the squash, you’ll scoop out the “noodles” and discard the skin.
Chicken For This Casserole
Feel free to make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot or shortcut with a rotisserie chicken!
Other Spaghetti Squash Recipes:
- Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
- Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
- Spaghetti Squash Boats with Homemade Meat Sauce
- Spaghetti Squash Primavera
- Fajita Spaghetti Squash Bake
- Spinach and Artichoke Spaghetti Squash
Watch the Video:
Italian-Style Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash:
- 1 Spaghetti squash sliced in half and seeds scooped out
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 3 handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 lb. organic boneless chicken breasts baked or boiled and shredded
- 1 cup tomato sauce of choice homemade or store-bought
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning more to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes more to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out seeds. Drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay spaghetti squash face down on baking sheet, and add 1/4 cup water. Bake for about 30 minutes until fork tender. Let cool.
- Once cool, scrape out spaghetti squash using a fork and place in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a small skillet over medium-heat, heat oil and sauté garlic. Add spinach and sauté until wilted.
- Add spinach and garlic mixture, shredded chicken, tomato sauce, egg, cheese if using and spices to the bowl with the spaghetti squash. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer entire mixture to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle with fresh parmesan and red pepper flakes
- Bake at 375 °F for 10 minutes. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has started to bubble and brown.
- Serve warm!
Just made this tonight and it was amazing !! Loved it and can’t wait to make it again !
SO glad it was a hit!
This was a HIT with everyone, which is not easy at our house. I didn’t see an answer in regards to how well it freezes (or if it CAN be frozen). Has anyone tried freezing yet?
I made this last night and it was a hit! I used kale instead of spinach and we all thought it would be good to add mushrooms next time. I will for sure make this again!
Love it!
I am so excited to make this! Do you think it would freeze well? Was thinking about making a double batch and freezing half for another week. Thank you!
Is there a macros handy on this recipe?
What is the calorie, fat, carbs and protein count on this dish?
5 stars A+! This was delicious and so easy! Added Italian chicken sausage and used broccoli rabe instead of spinach. Topped w fresh basil after it cooked. Cooked longer (about 18 minutes) before broiling cuz my ingredients all started cold. It was so good I’m making it again tomorrow. Thank you!.
What size baking dish do I need for this recipe? Thanks
9 x 12, or 8 x 8 works too!
It’s in the oven right now! Can’t wait to try! I used ground turkey and mozzarella as well becasuse that is what I had. Thank you for sharing!
if i could cut open a spaghetti squash without landing in the emergency room i’d eat them every day. unfortunately the idea of wrestling with one of these things and the biggest knife in my arsenal isn’t appealing.
If you’re not opposed to the microwave, microwave it for a few minutes. It will cut right through!
I pierce th a skin and cook squash on high for 3 hours in a crockpot with a 1/2 cup of water… slices like butter after that. Just takes extra prep time but worth it, this recipe is a WINNER!
Do you think I can use cooked ground chicken in this?
Yes!
I just made this for dinner tonight. I bought a good-sized spaghetti squash. There’s just two of us. I used mozzarella cheese instead of parmesan on top because that’s what I had. It came out DELICIOUS. Looks just like the picture and so good! We have enough for two whole meals stills so you can judge what size squash you buy. Thank you for the recipe!
Can I leave the chicken out?
Sure!
When I use spaghetti squash in a recipe the sauce is watery. Antbody else experience this?
You need to squeeze out the extra moisture from the Spaghetti Squash after it’s been cooked. I learned that trick a while ago. Makes a huge difference. Just put the squash in a Tea Towel , twist the ends of the towel together until the squash is in a ball in the towel and keep twisting the towel to get rid of the excess moisture.
I have also put the spaghetti squash in a salad spinner after its cooked to get the water out!
Italian Sausage and Mushrooms are also good in this without the chicken
Yes!
Hi Lexi – is the Parmesan cheese in this recipe grated or sliced fresh? This recipe looks so yummy! I can’t wait to try it.
Hi Lexi!
Have you tried freezing this recipe before? Do you have any freezer friendly meals?
~Kara
Hi Lexi! I made this and it was ~so~ good!
I made a vegan version I’d like to share in case you have any readers looking for a vegan squash bake: http://thehealthyfamilyandhome.com/vegan-italian-spaghetti-squash-bake/
Thanks for sharing! 😉
I made this tonight with ground turkey and it was really awesome, thank you for sharing this recipe! My husband said I can make it again anytime I want.
I’m so happy you (and your husband) liked it Jen!!
Sooo Good! If Anyone Is A Huge Lasagna Fan Like I Am , But Wants A Light, Airy Version Then Try This Recipe. Thanks For Posting Lexi!
So happy you loved it! Xoxox