Enjoy this luxurious and satisfying dinner, Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash. This comforting dish features roasted spaghetti squash ‘noodles’ smothered in a flavorful tomato meat sauce, complemented by a rich and creamy cheese topping, resulting in a million-dollar taste experience that’s low-carb and high in flavour. Whether you’re a die-hard spaghetti squash fan or a newcomer to squash, its combination of wholesome ingredients and irresistible taste will leave you craving more.
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MY INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS RECIPE
It’s Spaghetti squash season!! I always see such delicious recipes for spaghetti squash online so I thought now its my turn to make one! I also was inspired by Million Dollar Spaghetti because it looks so decadent and comforting so I decided to combine the two of them and make Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash! The squash itself is tender strands that resembles spaghetti, the tasty meat sauce on top then a layer of the cheese mixture! So much deliciousness in one squash, it s a great low carb high protein dinner option! 🍝
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI SQUASH
- Delicious Fusion of Flavours: With a savoury tomato meat sauce and a rich, creamy cheese mixture, this recipe brings together the best of both worlds. The blend of Italian seasonings and cheesy goodness creates a mouthwatering flavour explosion.
- Healthy Comfort Food: For those looking to enjoy a comforting dish without the guilt, this recipe uses spaghetti squash as a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. It’s a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies your cravings.
- Easy to Make and Impress: This recipe is perfect for both beginner and experienced cooks. The step-by-step instructions ensure a successful result, and the end product looks and tastes like you’ve put in hours of effort, making it an impressive addition to any occasion.
- Versatile for Special Occasions: Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or hosting a special family gathering, this Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash is a versatile choice that can easily serve a group of four. It’s a crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of luxury to any event.
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INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Spaghetti Squash: The star of the dish, roasted spaghetti squash serves as a healthy, low-carb substitute for traditional pasta, creating the “spaghetti” strands.
- Olive Oil: The olive oil adds a touch of richness and ensures the squash roasts to perfection, enhancing its flavour and texture.
- Salt and Pepper: These seasonings, to taste, bring out the natural flavours in the spaghetti squash, meat sauce, and creamy cheese mixture, providing overall balance.
- Ground Meat of Choice: The protein base for the tomato meat sauce, either ground turkey or chicken adds a delicious, lean meaty element to the dish.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion complements the meat sauce by adding depth and sweetness to the flavour profile.
- Garlic: Minced garlic provides a savoury, aromatic foundation to the tomato meat sauce, infusing it with a delightful kick.
- Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning brings a blend of traditional Italian herbs and spices to the sauce, infusing it with a distinct Italian flavour.
- Marinara Sauce: This essential ingredient forms the base of the tomato meat sauce, delivering rich, tomatoey goodness and a smooth consistency.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is the secret to the creamy sauce’s luscious texture, lending a silky and indulgent quality.
- Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese contributes a velvety, slightly tangy layer to the creamy cheese mixture, complementing the other cheeses.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese adds gooey, melty goodness to both the creamy cheese layer and as a final topping, enhancing the dish’s cheesiness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese infuses the creamy sauce with its distinctive nutty and salty undertones, enhancing the overall depth of flavour.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Garlic and onion powder intensifies the garlic and onion flavour, ensuring it permeates the creamy cheese mixture.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley serves as a vibrant garnish, adding a burst of colour and a hint of fresh herbal flavour to the dish.
- Additional Mozzarella Cheese: Extra shredded mozzarella cheese provides that delightful cheesy crust on top of the casserole, making it even more irresistible.
HOW TO MAKE MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI SQUASH
Spaghetti Squash:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the squash halves, cut side down, on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the squash is tender. Use a fork to scrape the flesh to create “spaghetti” strands. Set aside.
Tomato Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat of choice breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned. Remove any excess fat.
Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions become translucent. Stir in the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Creamy Sauce:
In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assembly/Garnish:
Begin by adding a layer of the tomato meat sauce into the spaghetti squash boat, followed by a layer of the creamy cheese mixture then sprinkle some extra shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Enjoy! 🙂
VIC'S QUICK TIPS FOR MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI SQUASH
- Choosing Spaghetti Squash: Select spaghetti squash that feels firm and has a vibrant colour. This ensures the best texture and flavour in the final dish.
- Seeding and Scraping: When preparing the squash, be thorough in removing the seeds and membranes. This helps create well-defined “spaghetti” strands without any bitter or tough parts.
- Creamy Cheese Mixture: Ensure the cream cheese, ricotta, and other cheeses are well softened and thoroughly mixed. This ensures a creamy and consistent texture in the cheese layer.
- Layering Technique: When assembling the dish, layer the ingredients evenly to ensure each serving has a balance of meat sauce, creamy cheese, and that delightful cheesy crust.
- Meal Size: This recipe yields eight servings (1/4 squash is one serving), but you can easily adjust it for more or fewer servings depending on your needs. It’s a versatile recipe that’s perfect for gatherings of various sizes.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS & STORING
- Sides: Consider serving this dish with a light salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Hot and Fresh: Serve the Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash while it’s hot and freshly out of the oven for the best taste and texture.
- Refrigeration: To store leftovers, cover the baking dish or transfer the meal to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave or, for larger portions, use an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
- Separate Components: If you have components of the dish (e.g., meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture) left over, they can be stored separately in the refrigerator for versatility in making future meals.
- Enjoying Later: For best results, enjoy frozen or refrigerated leftovers within a reasonable time frame to maintain the quality and taste of the dish.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
- Ground Meat: Replace the ground meat with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tempeh, tofu, or a meatless ground option.
- Dairy Cheese: Substitute the dairy cheese (mozzarella and Parmesan) with vegan cheese options, which are widely available and suitable for melting.
- Dairy Cream Cheese and Ricotta: Use dairy-free cream cheese and ricotta alternatives made from cashews, almonds, or tofu for a creamy vegan option.
- Meat Options: Experiment with different ground meats, such as pork, beef, or lamb, to change the flavour profile.
- Fresh Herbs: Instead of or in addition to parsley, try garnishing with fresh basil, oregano, or thyme for a different herbaceous note.
- Flavour Enhancements: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the tomato meat sauce for extra flavour and texture.
RECIPE FAQ
While spaghetti squash is ideal for this recipe, you can experiment with other winter squashes like butternut or acorn squash, but the texture and flavor will be different.
To reduce calories and fat, opt for leaner ground meat, use low-fat cream cheese and ricotta, and go easy on the cheese or choose reduced-fat cheese options.
Yes, you can pre-cook the squash, make the sauces, and store them separately. When ready to serve, assemble and bake for a shorter time to heat through.
A crisp green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables make great side dishes to complement the richness of this dish.
Yes, you can freeze leftover portions of Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash for later consumption. Simply store it in an airtight container or freeze individual servings for convenience. Thaw and reheat as needed.
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Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash
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PREP: 30 minutes minutes
COOK: 1 hour hour
TOTAL: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
AUTHOR: Victoria DeMelo
SERVINGS: 8 Servings
Enjoy this luxurious and satisfying dinner, Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash. This comforting dish features roasted spaghetti squash 'noodles' smothered in a flavorful tomato meat sauce, complemented by a rich and creamy cheese topping, resulting in a million-dollar taste experience that's low-carb and high in flavour.
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients:
Spaghetti Squash:
- 2 Spaghetti Squash
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Teaspoon Salt & Pepper (each)
Tomato Meat Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Onion diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Pound Ground Meat of Choice (I used ground chicken)
- 1 Teaspoon Italaian Seasoning
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 Can (24 oz) Tomato Sauce
Creamy Sauce:
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 1 Cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder & Onion Powder (each)
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoon Parsley chopped
Assembly/Garnish:
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- ½ Cup Parsely chopped
Instructions:
Spaghetti Squash:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2 Spaghetti Squash
Place the squash halves, cut side down, on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the squash is tender. Use a fork to scrape the flesh to create "spaghetti" strands. Set aside.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, ½ Teaspoon Salt & Pepper
Tomato Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat of choice breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned. Remove any excess fat.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Pound Ground Meat of Choice (I used ground chicken)
Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions become translucent. Stir in the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
1 Medium Onion, 4 Cloves Garlic, 1 Teaspoon Italaian Seasoning, Salt & Pepper, 1 Can (24 oz) Tomato Sauce
Creamy Sauce:
In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8 oz Cream Cheese, 1 Cup Ricotta Cheese, 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder & Onion Powder, Salt & Pepper, 2 Tablespoon Parsley
Assembly/Garnish:
Begin by adding a layer of the tomato meat sauce into the spaghetti squash boat, followed by a layer of the creamy cheese mixture then sprinkle some extra shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, ½ Cup Parsely
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving. Enjoy! 🙂
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash
Serving Size
454 g (1/4 of a Spaghetti Squash)
Amount per Serving
Calories
415
% Daily Value*
Fat
28
g
43
%
Saturated Fat
14
g
88
%
Cholesterol
95
mg
32
%
Sodium
773
mg
34
%
Potassium
595
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
19
g
6
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
904
IU
18
%
Vitamin C
16
mg
19
%
Calcium
227
mg
23
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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