5.0 from 1 vote

Spaghetti squash boats are satisfying, inexpensive and low in carbs and calories while being loaded with flavor and nutritional value. If you are trying to reduce your intake of carbs and calories you have to consider adding this single dish and healthy meal to your low carb diet.

Spaghetti Squash Boats with Sausage and Broccoli are a Hearty and Healthy Meal that is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional pasta. Spaghetti squash is used as a replacement for pasta and is transformed into edible boats, filled with savory sausage, tender broccoli and cheese. It’s a delicious healthy meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious and can be part of a successful weight loss routine.

What if i told you there is a versatile and nutritous food available year round that is packed with vitamins and low in calories and carbs? While walking through the produce section of your supermarket, you have likely walked past spaghetti squash a thousand times. This underappreciated gourd is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Its neutral flavor makes it a terrific low carb substitute for pasta.

Anyone who knows anything about squash, understands that this will never taste like traditional pasta. You cannot view spaghetti squash as a replacement for pasta but a healthy option to prepare in many of the ways you would serve spaghetti. As is the case with traditional spaghetti, there are countless ways you can prepare spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash works well with many sauces, cheeses and vegetables as is traditional pasta. In this recipe, the long strands of “noodles” are baked with chicken or turkey sausage, broccoli and cheese for a dish that is fun, pleasing to the eye and beneficial to your waistline.

How to make Spaghetti Squash Boats with Sausage and Broccoli.

Baked spaghetti squash to soften
Bake spaghetti squash to soften.

Spaghetti squash consists of a thick outer skin and hard inner flesh. You will find it extremely difficult to cut. Please be careful and use proper knife skills when cutting the spaghetti squash in half to clean out the seeds. If you run into difficulty when attempting to cut the vegetable in half, you can prick the skin with a fork and microwave 5 minutes to soften. After cutting in half, use a spoon to remove the seeds prior to baking.

Spaghetti squash removed from shell
Spaghetti squash removed from shell.

After baking, allow the spaghetti squash to cool slightly prior to removing the flesh from its shell. It should be soft with a spaghetti like texture. The remaining ingredients to the filling can then be combined with the spaghetti squash. Upon combining all ingredients, the filling can be placed into the two shells and they are ready to bake. When done, serve with a side salad for a hearty, low cost and healthy meal.

Filling spaghetti squash boats
Prepared filling for spaghettti squash boats.
Plated spaghetti squash boat and salad
Plated spaghetti squash boat with a side salad.

The preparation time for this dish is a bit longer than most recipes we offer on this site. For many, this dish would be appropriate for a weekend meal.

Are Spaghetti Squash Healthy?

Spaghetti squash boats with sausage and broccoli are filling but low in calories and carbs. Possessing more fiber and nutritional value than traditional pasta, spaghetti squash boats would be a solid dish to add to a weight loss routine or to anyone seeking to reduce their carb intake. In summary, we believe that spaghettii squash boats will be a satisfying and healthy addition to your dinner schedule.

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Spaghetti Squash Boats Stuffed with Sausage and Broccoli

Recipe by Joe and Susie
5.0 from 1 vote
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes

Stuffed spaghetti squash boats are light and loaded with flavor. Who said eating healthy had to be boring.

Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash halved lengthwise. Remove all seeds.

  • 5 cups chopped broccoli

  • 1 link of chicken or turkey sausage defrosted and sliced

  • 1 small onion chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic minced

  • 1/2 tsp oregano

  • 1/2 tsp basil

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

  • Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • After carefully cutting lengthwise, place spaghetti squash halves in a microwave safe dish, cut side down. Add 2 1/2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish. Place in microwave for 10 minutes.
  • Once done, place spaghetti squash in a rimmed baking dish. You may line the baking dish with parchment paper for easier clean-up. Place in oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until squash is tender. Cooking time will depend on the size of the squash. Be careful not to overcook as you do not want the spaghetti squash to get too mushy.
  • Meanwhile, heat 1 tbs of oil and sauté sliced sausage in a cooking pan until cooked through. Set aside.
  • In the same pan, add just enough water to lightly cover the bottom of the pan and heat to boiling. Add broccoli, cover and steam for 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tbs of oil in same pan. Add onion and cook for 1 minute on medium heat before adding garlic. Continue to cook until onion is translucent. Add the cooked broccoli and sausage back to the pan along with oregano, basil, salt and black pepper. Mix together.
  • Once squash is done, use a fork to rake the spaghetti squash from the shells and add to a large bowl. Add broccoli and sausage mixture to this bowl.
  • Add 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the bowl and stir well. Evenly divide the mixture and place into the spaghetti squash shells. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of pecorino romano cheese. Bake on lower rack at 350 for 10 minutes.
  • Turn oven to high broil. Place baking dish on the middle rack. We do not want the cheese to burn. Watch carefully. Cook until cheese begins to brown.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • If you are unable to cut the squash in half before putting into the microwave, put in the microwave whole for the five minutes This will help soften the skin so you may then cut lengthwise and proceed cooking in the oven as recommended above. Doing it in this manner may add a little more time to cooking.
  • There are a wide variety of flavored chicken or turkey sausages available. Please feel free to experiment with your favorite and please let us know what you tried and the result.
  • We used mozzerella cheese but feel free to use any cheese that melts well. This could include monterey, manchego, mild provolone or any cheese you like. Please let us know your favorite!

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