Description
Ina Garten’s spaghetti squash recipe delights with Mediterranean-inspired flavors and simple ingredients. Roasted squash strands mingle with herbs, parmesan, and olive oil, creating a light, nutritious meal you can savor with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 spaghetti squash (about 3 lbs or 1365 g)
- ¾ cup (75 g) parmesan cheese
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps (45 g) butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- Kosher salt or sea salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) red chili flakes
- Handful of chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Additional parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet to prevent squash from sticking.
- Squash Halving: Slice spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and pulp with a spoon, discarding inner membranes.
- Roasting: Place squash halves cut-side down on prepared baking sheet, roasting for 40-45 minutes until exterior turns golden and flesh becomes tender when fork-tested.
- Strand Extraction: Allow squash to cool for 5-7 minutes, then use a fork to gently separate interior into spaghetti-like strands.
- Garlic Infusion: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing minced garlic until fragrant and translucent without browning.
- Combining Flavors: Transfer squash strands into skillet, tossing gently to coat evenly with garlic butter.
- Cheese Integration: Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the squash, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Seasoning: Enhance with kosher salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes for depth of flavor, optional fresh parsley for garnish.
- Serving: Plate immediately, offering additional parmesan cheese on the side for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Master Knife Skills: Use a sharp chef’s knife and cut squash carefully to prevent uneven cooking and potential injury.
- Roasting Precision: Position squash cut-side down for even caramelization and optimal moisture retention during baking.
- Fork Technique: Scrape squash strands gently at a 45-degree angle to create uniform, spaghetti-like texture without breaking delicate strands.
- Flavor Enhancement: Toast garlic slowly in butter to develop deep, nutty undertones without burning, ensuring a rich, aromatic base for the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg