Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep and roast the squash
- Place one spaghetti squash on a large cutting board, cut off the stem end with a chef’s knife, then stand it upright and carefully slice it in half from top to bottom; repeat with the second squash.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy center from each half, leaving a clean cavity in the middle.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place the squash halves cut side up on the sheet.
- Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the cut sides with a measuring spoon and sprinkle 1 tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper evenly over the surfaces.
- Use your hand to rub the oil and seasoning across the cut sides so they are lightly coated, then turn the halves cut side down on the baking sheet.
- Put the baking sheet on the middle rack of a preheated 400°F oven using oven mitts and roast for 35 minutes until the shells give slightly when pressed and the flesh feels tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.
Cook the sausage mixture
- While the squash roasts, set a large skillet on the stove over medium heat and add the Italian sausage.
- Break the sausage into small pieces with a wooden spoon and cook for 7 minutes, stirring often, until the sausage is browned and no pink remains.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes, stirring with the wooden spoon, until the onion softens.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour 1 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce into the skillet with a measuring cup, then add 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper; stir with the wooden spoon until everything is combined.
- Let the sausage mixture simmer on low heat for 5 minutes so the flavors blend, then turn off the heat.
Shred the squash and combine
- When the squash is done, remove the baking sheet from the oven with oven mitts and let the halves cool for 5 minutes on the sheet.
- Turn the squash halves cut side up with a spoon and use a fork to scrape the inside of each half, pulling the flesh into long spaghetti-like strands while leaving a thin layer attached to the shell for strength.
- Transfer most of the strands into a large mixing bowl, keeping the shells on the baking sheet to use as bowls.
- Pour the sausage mixture from the skillet into the bowl with the squash strands and stir with the wooden spoon until everything looks evenly mixed.
Stuff and bake with cheese
- Spoon the sausage and squash mixture back into each squash shell on the baking sheet, packing it gently and mounding the filling slightly in each half.
- Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the tops, then scatter ¼ cup grated Parmesan over the mozzarella.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven on the middle rack and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown in spots.
Serve
- Take the baking sheet out with oven mitts and let the sausage stuffed spaghetti squash rest for 3 minutes, then use a large spoon to transfer each squash half to a plate and serve hot as a main dish.
Notes
- Always cut the spaghetti squash on a stable cutting board and stand it upright before slicing to keep the knife steady.
- Roasting the squash cut side down helps the strands soften and pull easily with a fork while keeping a nice texture for stuffing.
- Leftovers reheat well on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven until the filling is hot and the cheese melts again.
