Description
Delightful Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Parmesan brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Roasted squash strands combine with rich garlic and salty parmesan, creating a low-carb comfort dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2–3 pounds / 0.9–1.4 kilograms)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
Cooking Oils:
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a scorching 400°F, preparing for a transformative culinary experience with the spaghetti squash.
- Position the squash securely on a cutting board, skillfully trim the stem end, and divide lengthwise using a sharp knife, revealing the inner seeds and pulp.
- Meticulously clean out the squash’s interior, removing all seeds and stringy membrane with a spoon.
- Massage olive oil into the squash’s exposed flesh, ensuring complete coverage, then generously sprinkle with salt, pepper, and finely minced garlic for an aromatic infusion.
- Strategically place the squash halves cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating an ideal roasting environment.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the squash to transform until the flesh becomes tender and easily separates into delicate strands.
- Carefully extract the baking sheet from the oven and let the squash cool slightly to make handling more comfortable.
- Using a fork, gently rake across the squash’s interior, creating signature spaghetti-like strands that magically separate from the skin.
- Transfer the gossamer strands to a serving dish, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and crown with a sprinkle of fresh chives and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Precision Cutting: Use a sharp, sturdy knife and steady hand when slicing the squash lengthwise to ensure even cooking and safe preparation.
- Oil Distribution: Massage olive oil thoroughly inside the squash halves to enhance flavor absorption and prevent sticking during roasting.
- Doneness Check: Test squash tenderness by gently piercing with a fork; strands should separate easily without resistance.
- Versatile Serving: Transform this dish into a low-carb pasta alternative by adjusting toppings like adding roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or switching to vegan Parmesan for dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg