Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash
- 1 spaghetti squash
Tomato Mixture
- 2 cans (14.5 ounce each) chopped tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh oregano, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided (¾ cup plus ¼ cup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pierce the spaghetti squash: Using a knife, pierce the spaghetti squash in several places to allow steam to escape during cooking.
- Microwave the squash: Place the pierced squash in the microwave and cook on medium-high for 10 to 15 minutes, turning it every 5 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly until tender.
- Cool the squash: Carefully remove the hot squash and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes until it’s safe to handle.
- Prepare squash strands: Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Using a fork, scrape the inside flesh into long spaghetti-like strands.
- Transfer to baking dish: Place the spaghetti squash strands into the prepared baking dish as the base.
- Add tomato mixture: Add the chopped tomatoes, ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, fresh oregano, fresh basil, chopped garlic, and salt to the squash. Mix gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown, indicating it’s fully cooked and flavorful.
Notes
- Microwaving the squash beforehand speeds up the cooking process compared to roasting it whole in the oven.
- Fresh herbs add brightness and depth of flavor, but dried oregano and basil can be substituted if needed (use about 1 teaspoon each).
- This casserole can be served as a main vegetarian dish or as a hearty side.
- To add protein, consider mixing in cooked ground turkey or sautéed mushrooms before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian