Description
Saucy Mediterranean spaghetti squash boats bring Mediterranean flavors to classic vegetable comfort. Roasted squash filled with herbed tomatoes, feta, and olives creates a delightful weeknight meal you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium spaghetti squash
- 16 oz (454 g) spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
- 10 oz (283 g) broccoli florets (about 4 or 5 cups)
- 6 oz (170 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tbsps olive oil, divided
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cleanup and optimal roasting.
- Squash Preparation: Slice spaghetti squash lengthwise, carefully removing seeds with a spoon, then microwave for 5-10 minutes to soften and expedite cooking process.
- Initial Roasting: Drizzle squash halves with extra virgin olive oil, season with kosher salt and black pepper, then place cut-side down on prepared baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Ingredient Cooking: Simultaneously blanch broccoli in boiling water for 4 minutes, drain, and cook sausage in a skillet with olive oil until golden and crispy, breaking into small crumbles.
- Assembling Boats: Remove squash from oven, flip halves cut-side up, and generously fill with sausage and broccoli mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Final Baking: Top filled squash boats with shredded cheese, return to oven, and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden-brown, creating a bubbling, appetizing surface.
Notes
- Squash Selection: Choose firm, heavy spaghetti squash with vibrant color and no soft spots for best texture and flavor.
- Knife Safety: Use a sharp, sturdy knife and apply gentle, controlled pressure when cutting squash to prevent slipping and potential injuries.
- Microwave Tip: Pierce squash with a fork before microwaving to prevent potential steam buildup and ensure even softening.
- Cooking Precision: Monitor squash closely during roasting to avoid overcooking, which can make the flesh mushy and lose its signature spaghetti-like strands.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg