Spaghetti Squash Italian Style Recipes

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Halve squash lengthwise; discard seeds. Fill with tomatoes and mushrooms; sprinkle with seasonings. Place in an oval 7-qt. slow cooker, tilting 1 slightly to fit., Cook, covered, on low until squash is tender, 6-8 hours. Sprinkle with cheese. Cook, covered, on low until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. To serve, cut each half into 2 portions.

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pour water in baking dish and place halved squash cut-sides down in the dish.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until a fork pierces the skin very easily, about 45 minutes. Let squash cook while preparing remainder of recipe.
• Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue to saute until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Pour diced tomatoes over the onion mixture; season with basil. Place a cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the tomatoes are soft, about 30 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Once squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to strip flesh from the skin in strands. Stir squash and Parmesan cheese into tomato mixture. Replace cover on skillet and cook until squash is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes more. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the dish to serve.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE & SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• This casserole will require a 9x13 inch casserole dish (you may prep it with non-stick cooking spray if desired).
• Preheat the oven to 400-degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil. Halve the squash (lengthwise or widthwise) and scoop out the seeds. Sprinkle the halves with a bit of salt. Place squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet.
• Bake squash in preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or until it's easily pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and cool until easily handled. Use a fork to scrape out the "spaghetti" into a mixing bowl.
• To the squash, add egg (beaten), Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375-degrees in preparation for the casserole.
• In a large to medium pot, over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage until just done. Do not drain. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the onions become translucent. Remove from heat. Add the 24 oz jar of pasta sauce. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.
• Grab your casserole dish and begin layering. First, add about 2/3 cup of meat sauce to the bottom of the dish, and spread evenly. Next, layer half the spaghetti squash mixture on top of the meat sauce using a fork to evenly press it into a uniform thickness, almost as if it's acting as a lasagna noodle. Top the squash layer with half of the remaining meat sauce, and spread evenly. Now sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
• Spread the remaining squash mixture using the same technique as above, followed by the rest of the meat sauce. Sprinkle the last 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat layer.
• Bake in preheated, 375-degree oven until cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
• Let cool for at least 10 minutes. This allows the casserole to be set up so that each serving comes out clean and beautiful. Enjoy!

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND SAUTEED VEGGIES

Steps:

• Pierce squash all over with the tip of sharp knife. Put in a microwave-safe dish and microwave 15 minutes on high, or until slightly soft. Let cool 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle, then cut in half crosswise, scoop out and discard seeds. Flesh will be in long spaghetti-like strands.
• Scoop squash into large bowl and season with butter, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. This stage alone yields a delicious side dish.
• While squash cooks and cools, make your sausage and peppers.
• Slice red bell pepper and red onion into lengthwise strips. You may need to cut the pepper strips in half to be fork-size.
• Heat 1 T olive oil in a large non-stick pan over med-high heat. Squeeze sausage out of casings in little meat balls and fry until browned and cooked through. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your pan. Remove sausage and set aside to keep warm.
• Toss peppers and onions into pan. Cook until softened. You may need to add a bit more oil, or a few tablespoons of wine to deglaze the pan. When vegetables are about 2 minutes away from being done, add minced garlic to pan and heat till fragrant. Then return sausage to pan and add several handfuls of spinach. Toss to coat spinach until just wilted and sausage is reheated.
• Serve immediately over prepared squash. If you can tolerate dairy, I'm sure fresh parmesan would be great, but it was already delicious without it.

ITALIAN-STYLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Prick squash skin all over. Rub cut sides of the halved garlic over the flesh. Lightly brush each squash half with some olive oil. Place cut side-down in a 3-quart baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool until easily handled. Separate the squash flesh into strands using a fork. Leave strands in the shells.
• Divide mozzarella cheese between the shells. Toss lightly. Press mixture up the sides of the shells.
• Combine remaining olive oil, tomatoes, pine nuts, green onions, basil, and minced garlic in a bowl. Divide tomato mixture between the shells. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Return squash halves to the baking dish.
• Continue baking until filling is heated through, about 20 minutes.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
• Place cut sides down in a glass baking dish.
• Add 1/4 cup water and cover with plastic wrap.
• Microwave on high for 8-10 minutes until tender; cool.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoons of oil.
• Add the onion and cook until translucent.
• Add the zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes until the zucchini begins to brown.
• Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper.
• Reduce the heat; simmer gently for 10 minutes.
• Using a fork, scrape the squash strands into a bowl.
• Toss with the remaining oil.
• For presentation you can do two things.
• Just toss the squash with the cooked vegetables and sprinkle with cheese or as recommended in the book: Mound the squash in the center of 4 pasta bowls.
• Spoon the vegetable mixture around the squash.
• Drizzle with more oil if desired, and garnish with parmesan cheese.
• Add the lemon slices.