Spaghetti Squash Three Ways

Hi Everyone! In case you haven't heard, I recently moved to San Diego, CA!
I am so excited becuase I've been away from home for about 6 years now (I'm originally from the OC). To be back home is like a breathe of fresh air. Although I miss my Seattle family terribly, this move to San Diego has been a new sense of awakening for me. I hope that moving back home has got me more inspired than ever to post my love for food for you all. Thanks for stopping by, and please enjoy my latest blog post! (and many more to come :))

Featured today: Yummy, healthy, and easy Spaghetti Squash! This veggie is like the hottest food right now (well, according to my Pinterest feed it is!). Its an excellent substitute for pasta and noodles. Spaghetti Squash is such a versatile ingredient; you can literally take it in any direction! Today I've decided on the Italian route. Due to my move, my pantry is limited, hence only preparing the Spaghetti Squash  in an Italian way. But I did end up doing it three ways for you, so I hope that makes up for it! I will be sure to do another blog post about all the different international way you can work with this wonderful squash.

 (From Left to Right) Spaghetti Squash Marinara, Spaghetti Squash Carbonara, Pesto Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash Three Ways

Recipe makes 1 serving per recipe

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes * Cook Time: 30 minutes

Preparing the  Spaghetti Squash 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Place the spaghetti squash whole on a lined baking sheet
• Bake for 45 minutes and then flip over for an additional 30 minutes (total time in oven is 1 hour 15 minutes) 
• Let squash cool for 30 minutes
• Cut off two end of squash
• Hold squash right up to slice in half length wise 
• Scoop out seeds and toss (or save to make yummy roasted seeds!)
• Scrape gently with spoon for long "spaghetti" like strands
• Set aside
• Note: 1 squash makes about 6 cups of spaghetti. I used 3 cups for this recipe, and you can save the rest for quick snack sauté or you can double the recipes :) 

Ingredients & Instructions: NOTE- I baked all three at the same time on a baking sheet

Ingredients:

For the Spaghetti Squash Marinara

• 1 cup of pre cooked Spaghetti Squash
• 1 diced carrots
• 1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup of cheese to top
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

For the Spaghetti Squash Marinara

• Preheat over to 400 degrees
• Warm up pan to medium heat
• Add olive oil
• Saute all veggies for about 8 minutes
• Add spaghetti squash, saute for 1 minute
• Add in marinara sauce, and stir in thoroughly
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Transfer mixture to a bake safe dish (like a ramekin or mini skillet!)
• Top mixture with cheese
• Bake for 15 minutes, and broil until cheese is brown and bubbly (YUMMM)

For the Pesto Spaghetti Squash 

• 1 cup of pre cooked Spaghetti Squash
• 1/8 cup of cheese
• 1/8 cup of pesto
• 1/4 cup of shallots, diced

Instructions:

For the Pesto Spaghetti Squash 

• Preheat over to 400 degrees
• Warm up pan to medium heat
• Add olive oil
• Saute shallots, 2-3 minutes
• Add spaghetti squash, saute for 1 minute
• Add in pesto in thoroughly 
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Transfer mixture to a bake safe dish 
• Top mixture with cheese
• Bake for 15 minutes, and broil until cheese is brown and bubbly 

For the Spaghetti Squash Carbonara 

• 1 cup of pre cooked Spaghetti Squash
• 2 slices of turkey bacon, cooked and diced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced crimini mushrooms
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup of chicken stock
• 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

Instructions:

For the Pesto Spaghetti Squash 

• Preheat over to 400 degrees
• Warm up pan to medium heat
• Add olive oil
• Saute shallots, mushrooms
• Add turkey bacon bits
• Set mixture a side in a bowl
• Turn of heat, and set pan to the side to cool
• In a bowl, whisk together egg and add 1/8 cup of parmesan cheese
• Put mixture in pan and ad chicken stock, mix until incorporated
• Incorporate shallots, mushroom, bacon bits, and spaghetti squash in pan
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Transfer mixture to a bake safe dish 
• Top mixture with cheese
• Bake for 15 minutes, and broil until cheese is brown and bubbly 

Seriously, who needs pasta when you got Spaghetti Squash?? 
Jk I love my carbs, but these are a great alternative :)