• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Cookbook
    • Travel
  • Recipes
    • Weeknight Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Thai Recipes
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

Published: Oct 25, 2018 · Modified: May 30, 2019 · by Jess · 583 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. · Leave a Comment

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

There’s something extra fun about using the spaghetti squash shell as a bowl for serving this saucy, cheesy weeknight meal.

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

This week has been all about spaghetti squash here on the blog, and it’s a pretty accurate reflection of what’s actually happening in our kitchen. So much squash!

Filling for Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

This “recipe” can barely even be called a recipe. It’s a complete shortcut to a dinner that we all love and that has the vegetables built right in. When I’ve been making this, I use Italian sausage and a good quality store-bought marinara to make the sauce. I mix the sauce with spaghetti squash right inside those “bowls” and top the whole thing with melty cheese.

Fork with Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

If the spaghetti squash has been cooked ahead of time (in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, oven, or microwave) the whole thing comes together in less than 30 minutes and is a healthy-ish comfort food perfect for cool fall and winter nights.

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

How to Make Individual Spaghetti Squash “Bowls”

Even my choosy 4-year-olds are charmed by the idea of eating out of the actual squash halves. The key to making individual sized “bowls” is to look for spaghetti squash that are on the smaller side – 3 lbs each, at the most. Slice them in half (I prefer to slice them through the narrowest center and then cut off the stem so they will sit upright) and pre-cook them until the spaghetti squash strands are tender.

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

We’ll be making this one again and again all winter long.

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

Spaghetti Squash Bowls
Print Recipe
0 from 0 votes

Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Marinara and Italian Sausage

There’s something extra fun about using the spaghetti squash shell as a bowl for serving this saucy, cheesy weeknight meal.
Servings: 4
Calories: 453kcal
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Ingredients

  • 2 small Spaghetti Squash (look for squash that are between 2.5 and 3 lbs)
  • 1 lb Italian Sausage
  • 1 (24 oz) jar Marinara Sauce (I use a good quality store-bought version)
  • 6 oz Shredded Mozzarella
  • Chopped fresh herbs, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Slice spaghetti squash in half and cook until the strands are tender (leave the strands in the squash halves). See note below for tips on cooking methods. (Note: This can be done up to 3 days ahead. Store cooked squash in the refrigerator.)
  • Turn on the oven’s broiler.
  • Heat a large skillet with cooking oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart as it cooks, until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Pour marinara sauce over sausage and stir to combine.
  • Place the spaghetti squash halves cut-side up on a sheet pan. Use a fork to pull the spaghetti squash strands from the sides of the squash bowls so they resemble noodles inside each bowl.
  • Divide marinara sauce between the squash bowls and gently stir to combine squash strands and sauce.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Place sheet pan under the broiler until cheese is melted (watch it closely to prevent burning), 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Top with fresh herbs and serve.

Notes

For this recipe, the squash can be cooked up to 2 days ahead of time. For instructions on cooking the squash in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, oven, or microwave check out this post.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1372mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

 

Thanks to my mom saving every Halloween costume from when I was a kid, Molly and Clara have been faux trick-or-treating around the house all week. Fortunately, I don’t think anything will detract from the excitement of the real thing.

This post is not sponsored, but it may contain affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but we may earn a small commission which helps keep the site running. Thank you for your support!

SaveSave

You May Also Like:

Filed Under: Dinner Tonight, Main Dishes, Recipes, Weeknight Meals

About Jess

Hi, I'm Jess, an amateur cook turned professional recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer specializing in quick and easy meals that make weeknights a bit more fun. I love sharing my kitchen and my journey as a chef with other home cooks on this blog. Learn more about me here.

Previous Post: « Spaghetti Squash Egg Nests
Next Post: Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Hi there! We're Jess and Frank. We live in Kansas City. Our recipes are made with busy families and our energetic toddlers in mind. After living in Thailand, we use international inspiration to craft simple, creative meals. We believe in your inner cook! More...

Get new recipes and our free cookbook "Takeout at Home" by subscribing.

From Our Recipe Box

hot chocolate bar

How to Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar

slow cooker hot chocolate

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

freezer friendly Christmas cookies

6 Freezer-Friendly Christmas Cookies To Make Now and Bake Through the Holiday

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Copyright © 2019 · Inquiring Chef · Privacy Policy

×
  • Recipes
  • Weeknight Meals
  • About

Modern Mobile Menu Social icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Pin
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Tweet
    • Email