Simple Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash Pasta

This simple pesto spaghetti squash recipe is the proper meatless, low-carb dinner. I’ll present you the right way to cook dinner spaghetti squash the straightforward manner, and toss the tender strands with herby basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese.

Spaghetti squash is my favourite stand-in for precise spaghetti, and it’s scrumptious in its personal proper. Discover it in recipes like creamy spaghetti squash and these epic spaghetti squash boats!

Close up of a spaghetti squash boat filled with pesto spaghetti squash topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

Together with pesto zucchini noodles (zoodles), this spaghetti squash with pesto is one among my favourite alternate options to a standard pasta dinner. It’s decrease in carbs and BIG on taste, with freshly cooked spaghetti squash twirled round in herby basil pesto, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and melty cheese.

Whereas the squash cooks, you’ll put together the pesto sauce. As quickly because the squash is cool sufficient to deal with, you’ll scrape out the spaghetti-like strands, toss, and luxuriate in!

About This Pesto Spaghetti Squash With Solar-Dried Tomatoes

Prepared in half-hour. Have a heat, meatless meal on the desk rapidly on weeknights.
Italian-inspired flavors. Tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. It’s the final word trio.
Low in carbs. Spaghetti squash appears to be like like spaghetti or angel hair pasta, however it’s 100% veggie!. It takes on the flavors of something you cook dinner with it.
Customizable. You possibly can add in spinach, parmesan, and extra extras, like chickpeas or protein, if you happen to’d like.

A spaghetti squash boat filled with pesto spaghetti squash topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

What You’ll Want

That is the proper spaghetti squash recipe for novices. The components are really easy! Listed below are some fast notes. Scroll to the recipe card beneath the publish for the total recipe quantities.

Spaghetti Squash – These are massive, yellowish squashes which are oval-shaped. Select a spaghetti squash that’s heavy for its dimension, with none bruises or blemishes.
Olive Oil – I’ve made this recipe with basil-infused olive oil earlier than, and it’s scrumptious! Any good-quality olive oil will work.
Garlic – Mince up a contemporary clove, or you possibly can substitute ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Pesto – I take advantage of basic basil pesto. You should buy your favourite jar from the shop or make it your self. I even have recipes for selfmade parsley pesto and spinach pesto that I’ll typically use instead of basil pesto.
Solar-dried Tomatoes – I choose the sort that aren’t jarred in oil. Slice the tomatoes into skinny, julienne strips.
Mozzarella Cheese – Thinly sliced. Attempt to use the freshest mozzarella you’ll find! Should you don’t have mozzarella, this spaghetti squash recipe works properly with goat cheese and feta, too.

Attempt These Variations

Extra veggies. Attempt including sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or kale. Swap sun-dried tomatoes with contemporary cherry tomatoes if you happen to’d like.
Add protein. Should you’re not making this recipe vegetarian, you possibly can high your pesto spaghetti squash with cooked shredded hen, crumbled bacon, or shrimp scampi.
Totally different sauces. Swap basil pesto with marinara sauce, pink pepper pasta sauce, creamy pesto alfredo sauce, or any variety you’d like. You too can use meaty pasta sauces, like Bolognese and selfmade ragu.

Tips on how to Rapidly Cook dinner Spaghetti Squash

My go-to technique for cooking spaghetti squash is the microwave (that publish goes into the right way to microwave squash intimately, with useful ideas). It’s faster than roasting or boiling – simply quarter-hour. I often put together the remainder of the components whereas the squash cooks.

Prep the squash. Rinse the skin of the squash so it’s clear. Then, place the squash on a sturdy floor or slicing board. I like to position a dishcloth beneath for grip. Utilizing a pointy knife, slice the squash lengthwise. Afterward, scrape out any seeds.
Use a microwave-safe dish. Place the reduce squash face down in a big microwave-safe dish full of about 1” of water.
Cook dinner. Microwave the spaghetti squash on Excessive for quarter-hour. At this level, verify if the squash is softened sufficient. If not, microwave it for five minutes extra, or till you possibly can pierce it simply with a fork.

I take advantage of this technique to cook dinner spaghetti squash as a substitute for pasta in recipes like hen carbonara, lemon shrimp spaghetti, and garlic butter noodles. So fast and straightforward!

Close up of a fork lifting a bite of pesto spaghetti squash from a squash boat topped with melted mozzarella.

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How To Cook dinner Spaghetti Squash within the Microwave

Prep. Wash the skin of the squash, then slice it lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
Cook dinner. Subsequent, place the squash face down in a 9×13 glass baking dish. Fill the dish with about an inch of water. Microwave the squash on HIGH for quarter-hour; verify to see if the squash is delicate sufficient. If not, microwave for five extra minutes.

Making ready the Squash Boats

Sauté. In the meantime, warmth 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet; add garlic and cook dinner for 20 seconds or till aromatic.
Add the tomatoes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook dinner for 30 seconds, stirring often.
Add the pesto. Stir within the basil pesto; cook dinner for 1 minute and take away from the warmth. Put aside.
Scrape out the “spaghetti”. Fastidiously take away the squash from the microwave and let it relaxation for a couple of minutes or till cool sufficient to deal with. Then, take a fork and peel the spaghetti strands over the ready pesto; gently stir to mix.
Put all of it collectively and broil. Switch the squash pasta again into the squash “boats”, high with cheese, and put it underneath the broiler for 4 to five minutes, or till the cheese begins to soften.
Serve! Take away from the broiler, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and serve.

Dietary data is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values might range in response to the components and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed data.

Tips on how to Make Pesto Spaghetti Squash

Whereas the squash cooks, begin by sautéeing the components for the pesto.

Sauté. First, sauté the garlic in a pan with olive oil, then stir within the sun-dried tomatoes. This could cook dinner for a couple of minute.
Add pesto. Stir within the pesto and let that cook dinner for one more minute. Then, take the skillet off the warmth and set it apart.

Overhead view of cooked spaghetti squash added to a skillet with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. — Sauté the pesto, and add squash.

Overhead view of pesto spaghetti squash with sun-dried tomatoes in a skillet. — Sauté the pesto, and add squash.

Put together your “spaghetti”. When your squash is cool sufficient to deal with, use a fork to scrape the flesh into lengthy strands. It ought to peel away simply. If it doesn’t, your squash may have just a few extra minutes within the microwave. Save the outer shell of the squash, as this makes the proper vessel for serving!
Assemble. Now, add the spaghetti squash strands to your pesto and tomatoes. Gently toss to mix. Lastly, scoop the pesto squash again into the hollowed-out shell. Lay the sliced mozzarella on high.
Broil. Place your spaghetti squash boats underneath your oven’s broiler for 3-5 minutes to soften the cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Overhead view of two spaghetti squash boats filled with pesto spaghetti squash topped with melted mozzarella cheese on a baking pan.

Tips on how to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerate. Retailer the leftover spaghetti squash hermetic within the fridge for as much as 3 days. I don’t suggest freezing spaghetti squash because it turns into soggy when thawed.
Reheat. Heat the squash within the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.