Here’s the RIGHT WAY to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value.
Savory Thoughts: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ― Virginia Woolf,
How can you think if you are not fueled by the proper energy, or nutrition, or even the necessities in life we need to sustain?
Let’s take a moment to talk about spaghetti squash boats today. I eat squash all the time, but as much as I eat it, I used to hate handling it. I hated dealing with the tough skin.
Here’s why this Spaghetti Squash boat recipe work?
There are so many different methods on how to handle squash.
Some of the best practices include: bake first, steamed in a pan in the oven, sliced into rings, cut lengthwise, or boil first.
All of those options will work, but I have a preferred method. I microwave the squash whole for about 5 minutes to soften it up. I find this to be the most effective way to handle almost any squash, especially spaghetti squash.
How do you cook squash boats and how do you make spaghetti squash with ground beef?
Here’s my trick: after I microwave the spaghetti squash, I then would cut the squash lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Base it with olive oil in the cavity and the edges, then bake it face down on 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Then remove the boat from the oven and fill it with the beef sauce and cheese. Then bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Sounds easy, right? See no hassle or stress! In the end, you are left with a delicious spaghetti squash to enjoy with your family. The squash is left moist and very much ready to be filled with your favorite toppings.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way, here’s what you’ll need: Spaghetti squash, onions, fresh parsley, fresh basil, tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and olive oil.
The squash is filled with fiber and is perfect for fall and winter. It’s a great way to have “spaghetti” without all the high carb guilt.
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How To Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats
Ingredients
- 1 Spaghetti squash
- ⅓ cup Onions diced
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 2 tomatoes, crushed or 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Heat the squash in the microwave for 5 minutes to soften it up.
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and brush the olive oil in the cavity and the edge of the squash. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile the squash cook, in a hot skillet brown the beef for about 5 minutes.
- Once brown, add salt and pepper. Stir. Then add the crushed tomatoes, onions, herbs and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce. Stir. Let simmer on low for 7 minutes. Remove from heat set aside.
- Use a fork to lightly scrape the inside of the squash, then fill in the cavity with the meat sauce. Topped with cheese and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool and serve warm.
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Nutrition
Jean
Wow that cheese pull is soooo drool-worthy. Love this simple way to cook spaghetti squash and that topping is to die for!
MDesir
Thank you for your nice comment, Jean!
Deborah
Wow, your pics are fantastic and step by step instructions really great too. Gonna send this to my sister who loves anything squash. Thanks for sharing
MDesir
Awww Thank you, Deborah. Very nice of you to share my recipe.
STACEY CRAWFORD
These look absolutely delicious! drooling on my screen 🙂
MDesir
Thank you, Stacey!
Catalina
Oh my goodness! These squash boats look like a new favorite dinner in my house! I have to put these on my menu!
MDesir
Thank you! I hope you like it.
Marisa Franca
I think that using the squash itself as a serving dish is pure genius. I’ve done that before with other squashes and including spaghetti squash. I like your trick of putting it in the microwave first and then finishing it off in the oven. I’ve got a recipe in mind already. Great recipe.
MDesir
I love it when ideas are bounced off one another. Thank you, Marisa! Also, the trick does work. Enjoy!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I have yet to cook spaghetti squash and this looks so good. I love the crust on top from the cheese. This would be perfect on a cold night.
Jyothi (Jo)
oh my goodness heavens! that’s one delicious spaghetti squash boats I have ever seen. Your photography is amazing
MDesir
Thank you very much!
Raia Todd
What a delicious way to use spaghetti squash!
Veena Azmanov
Oh, this is my dinner when we make spaghetti. I love spaghetti squash more than I love pasta. Love the flavors you have in this recipe. Can’t wait to try.
MDesir
I love spaghetti squash too. Not to mention it is healthy and easy to make.
Stine Mari
Oh yes how easy is that! Hassle free handling indeed. And it looks absolutely scrumptious. Getting hungry just by looking at your photos!
MDesir
Thank you, Mari! Yes, very much hassle free.
MDesir
Awww! Thank you!
Kelly Anthony
I’ve made a lot of spaghetti squash but I’ve never microwaved it. Great idea. These spaghetti squash boats look so tasty and I can’t wait to try them.
MDesir
It makes handling the squash so much easier. Thank you, Kelly!
Renee D Kohley
Yum! My girls love spaghetti squash prepped this way – who wouldn’t love all that melty cheese!
MDesir
My kids love it too when I prepare it this way. We are cheese lovers in our family.
Amanda
Oh, you had me at all that melted cheese. It looks so delicious and comforting. I’m a big spaghetti squash fan, so I’ll have to give this a whirl.
MDesir
Thank you! it’s very delicious!
Karyl Henry
I used to hate spaghetti squash, and then I tried it and really liked it. I’ve never made a spaghetti squash boat though, and this looks like such a great, comforting meal. I’m going to have to give this a try
MDesir
Good! I a glad you are deciding to give it a try. Enjoy!!!
Gloria
Spaghetti squash is the most FUN squash of all. This sounds and looks delicious, and I love the presentation. The perfect way to serve a low carb dinner.
MDesir
Thank you Gloria! It is pretty fun to eat.
debi at Life Currents
Spaghetti squash is something I’m still trying to get my husband to like. I think, with your recipe, I may have found a winner. Thanks!
MDesir
Awww! that’s wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Bevyn Cassidy
Wow! These look delicious. Thank you so much for making this recipe so easy to follow and with so many pictures – it is such a big help! I can’t wait to finally make delicious spaghetti squash boats for dinner!
MDesir
I am very glad to hear that. Thank you for reading!
Dan Zehr
I love love love this dish! Looks super delish. I think even my very picky oldest son might even like this dish! I can hope at least
MDesir
hahahah my picky eaters love it. Fingers crossed for you.
Mahy Elamin
This is a great recipe. Worked great! The boats looked elegant and tasted delicious. Thanks for sharing
MDesir
Thank you, Mahy!
Claudia Lamascolo
I have never tasted this kind of squash and very intrigued by it. My sons wife makes it she said stuffed but this is really up my alley the flavors here and all that cheese!
MDesir
We love cheese as well in our home! Thank you for reading, Claudia!