On a no-pasta diet? Spaghetti squash is the perfect stand-in for carb-dense noodles.
There are SO many low-carb noodle alternatives out there today, like zoodles (like our pesto or burrito zoodles); cucumber noodles (like in our Thai peanut cucumber noodles or Greek cucumber noodle salad); and even cauliflower (like in our cauliflower mac and cheese or baked ziti). Our OG fave? Spaghetti squash! If you don’t already know the joys of spaghetti squash, get ready. We’ve highlighted a ton of cheesy, Italian pasta-inspired recipes, but it truly can be used in place of traditional noodles in everything from stir fries to casseroles. Check out our list of 21 spaghetti squash recipes–you won’t even miss the carbs.
It should be noted, like other hard-skinned squash (think pumpkin, acorn, butternut, etc.), spaghetti squash can be a little intimidating. How do you turn a heavy, sunshine yellow squash into delicious pasta strands? Firstly, you’ve got to get the thing open. Rather than try and cut lengthwise through the extra tough stem, cut off the stem and the sides first to create flat surfaces. Then stand your squash up, and cut straight down so you have two halves. Once you’ve got it open, follow our directions for how to cook spaghetti squash—it’s super-simple in your oven, you’ve just got to have patience (they usually take ~1 hour to cook).
You could start simple and serve your squash as a side, tossed in some butter and seasoned with just salt and pepper—it can pair with just about anything. If you'd like to go the pasta route, heat up some marinara or Alfredo sauce and spoon it right on top. Add protein, like in our chicken primavera squash boats or our meatball stuffed spaghetti squash. Serve your squash strands inside the husk of your spaghetti squash for a convenient, low-carb weeknight dinner with less dishes. Win win!
1
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
First things first—to make all these flavorful recipes, you've gotta have a squash! Follow our tips to getting yours to taste as close to regular spaghetti as possible.
Get the How To Cook Spaghetti Squash recipe.
2
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Would you believe us if we told you it only takes an entire squash 7 minutes to cook in your pressure cooker? Trust us, it's true. Use the extra time to figure out how you want to top your squash—we're partial to lasagna-inspired ingredients, but get creative!
Get the Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash recipe.
3
Tuscan Spaghetti Squash
Stuffed with crumbled sausage, mozzarella, and tomato sauce (use store-bought or homemade), this spaghetti squash will rival your favorite Italian pasta dish.
Get the Tuscan Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Chicken Primavera Spaghetti Squash Boats
Spaghetti squash turns our favorite angel hair pasta primavera into a gluten-free, low-carb dinner. It's the perfect healthy dinner to keep things fresh—swap in your favorite seasonal veggies, and you can make it year-round.
Get the Chicken Primavera Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe.
5
Spaghetti Squash Cheesy Bread
Don't skip squeezing out your spaghetti squash! It's full of way more liquid than you'd expect, which can make the final product soggy. Use a kitchen towel or cheese cloth to wring it out before turning it into this cheesy bread. Then serve with marinara for best results.
Get the Spaghetti Squash Cheesy Bread recipe.
6
Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs
We strongly recommend you use 85 to 93 percent ground turkey for these meatballs. It's worth it, especially since you're saving fat and carbs by serving them with spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
Get the Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Burrito Spaghetti Squash Boats
These spaghetti squash boats are super adaptable—you can even make this recipe vegetarian. Simply sub out the ground beef for extra veggies! Bell peppers, spinach, and red onions would all be great additions.
Get the Burrito Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe.
8
Spaghetti Squash Pizza
Swap that pizza dough for a cheesy spaghetti squash crust! We know nothing can truly ever replace the love we have for pizza crust in our hearts, but this gluten-free option makes a really good effort. It satisfies every pizza craving we have with the added bonus of extra veggies.
Get the Spaghetti Squash Pizza recipe.
9
Meatball Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Make this when that inevitable spaghetti and meatballs craving hits, and thank us later. Make your own meatballs to take this dish next level.
Get the Meatball Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Craving chicken Alfredo but trying to avoid the unnecessary carbs? We feel you! This easy spaghetti squash recipe is just the solution. It satisfies the cravings and won't make you feel like something is missing.
Get the Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe.
11
Chicken-Bacon Ranch Spaghetti Squash Boats
This spaghetti squash boat is unlike any other, stuffed full with bacon, chicken, and a delicious cheesy ranch dressing-based sauce. Everyone will go crazy for it!
Get the Chicken-Bacon Ranch Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe.
12
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is a miracle worker. It's perfect for holding all of the cheesy, creamy sauce without the extra carbs. This Buffalo chicken version is plenty creamy and a little saucy for a weeknight dinner you can feel good about!
Get the Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Cheesy Tuscan Spaghetti Squash
Take inspiration from our Tuscan chicken pasta or our creamy Tuscan sausage pasta, and add your favorite protein to this low-carb Italian dinner.
Get the Cheesy Tuscan Spaghetti Squash recipe.
14
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests
We love these filled with our favorite simple pizza ingredients, but get creative—olives, bell peppers, sausage, and more would be great in these handheld nests.
Get the Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests recipe.
15
Lasagna Spaghetti Squash Boats
Craving lasagna, but not into the carbs or the layering? Make this extra-easy Italian pasta-inspired recipe. You can even skip the marinara sauce and use crushed tomatoes instead! Just simmer the sauce for at least 15 to 20 minutes to allow the flavors to really develop.
Get the Lasagna Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Four-Cheese Spaghetti Squash
You can feel great about eating this extra-cheesy faux-ghetti dish: First off, it's delicious, thanks to a blend of mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and fontina, and secondly, it's low-carb, so you can eat the whole squash!
Get the Four-Cheese Spaghetti Squash recipe.
17
Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash
This cheesy spaghetti squash recipe is everything you love about fettucine Alfredo, minus the carbs. If you want an extra golden and bubbly top on your squash boats, put them under the broiler for a few minutes at the end of the baking time.
Get the Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash recipe.
18
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash
News flash! You don't have to turn on your oven to make perfectly cooked spaghetti squash. Simply follow our simple guidelines, and you'll have a big bowl of low-carb spaghetti in no time.
Get the Crockpot Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Spaghetti Squash & Chickpea Sauté
This recipe has a lot going for it: It's vegetarian, packed with nutrients, and takes only 20 minutes to make.
Get the Spaghetti Squash & Chickpea Sauté recipe from Woman's Day.
20
Spinach & Artichoke Squash Casserole
Serve everyone's favorite party appetizer—spinach and artichoke dip—in a hollowed spaghetti squash for a sophisticated first course. Add a protein like chicken to turn it into a meal.
Get the Spinach & Artichoke Squash Casserole recipe from Good Housekeeping.
