This cheesy baked spaghetti squash casserole is a winner! It stars Italian style flavors: pesto, artichoke, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

Are you a spaghetti squash fan? But really: who wouldn’t be a fan of those long, nature-made noodles? Spaghetti squash is making it into all sorts of dishes that squash wouldn’t be caught dead in decades earlier. Spaghetti squash mac and cheese. Spaghetti squash pad Thai. And here in Alex and my latest creation: spaghetti squash casserole! This casserole is an Italian style spin on the traditional, featuring basil pesto, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. It’s seriously hearty and satisfying. (Our 2 year old was all over it!) Ready to get started?

Spaghetti squash casserole: Italian style!

There are all sorts of spins on spaghetti squash casserole: this version uses Italian flavors to make a tangy, savory and cheesy version. Here are the major features:

• Basil pesto is swirled into the squash noodles, which brings an overall garlicky savoriness.
• Fresh mozzarella cheese creates gooey pockets and grated Parmesan cheese brings texture and even more savory flavor.
• Artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes bring in a tangy Italian-style element.

Is it a main or a side dish?

One important question before we start: is this spaghetti squash casserole a main or a side? It’s the same question as mac and cheese, really. This casserole would make a stand-out side dish for entertaining. We could imagine it on the table at a pitch in or potluck with other hearty sides. It would be perfect for holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, but it really works anytime that spaghetti squash is in season. It’s a great vegetarian and gluten free casserole option that works for various diets.

However: this casserole does take quite a while to prepare. The full prep time is almost an hour and a half. We’ll be honest: Alex and I don’t spend this much time on a side dish if we’re not entertaining. So, if we were making it just for us, we’d serve it as a main dish! Add a green salad and green beans and suddenly it’s a vegetarian main dish.

This casserole could also be a hearty savory brunch option! It would be perfect for brunch for holiday entertaining, or a baby shower or bridal shower brunch.

Can you speed up prep time on spaghetti squash casserole?

You can! There are some make ahead tips and short cuts we have in mind. Here’s what we’d suggest if you’re running low on time:

• Make the spaghetti squash in advance. One idea to speed up prep time is to make the spaghetti squash in advance! If you meal prep, roast or pressure cook the spaghetti squash up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate, then assemble the casserole. Just bake it a little longer until the squash is warmed through.
• Pressure cook the spaghetti squash. Got an Instant Pot? If so, our Instant Pot spaghetti squash takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a big time saver versus roasting it!

How to cut spaghetti squash

What involves the most technique in this spaghetti squash casserole? Cutting the squash! Our trick for getting the longest noddles is to cut the squash in half width-wise instead of lengthwise. The strands of the squash actually run around the width of the squash, not the length. It’s also easier to cut this way so the knife doesn’t slip. Here are the basic steps of how to cut a spaghetti squash (and see the video below!):

1. Find a small sharp paring knife. This sounds counter-intuitive! But it’s the safest method because it helps to prevent the slippage that can happen with a large knife.
2. Cut the squash around the middle, width-wise. To cut, pierce the knife into the squash and swing down, making small slices around the squash until it breaks in half. This makes the longest strands or “noodles”.
3. Remove the seeds. Use the knife to cut around the seeds, then scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

Ways to make it a meal!

This spaghetti squash casserole can be served as a main dish or a side dish. As we mentioned above, with the prep time (1 hour 30 minutes) we’d use it as a side for entertaining. To make it into a vegetarian dinner recipe, here are a few side dishes you could pair with it!

• Favorite Chopped Salad This favorite chopped salad also has an Italian vibe, and is a fan favorite.
• Best Steamed Broccoli This broccoli is quick and easy to make, and tastes great sprinkled with feta.
• Lemon Herb Steamed Cauliflower Cauliflower is mixed with Italian seasoning and lemon to make a tasty Mediterranean style side.
• Lemony Steamed Green Beans These green beans are easy and zesty from the lemon.
• How to Make Quinoa Make a pot of quinoa and season it with olive oil, salt and herbs to make a filling side dish.

This spaghetti squash casserole recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes