Quick & Easy Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Spicy Marinara Sauce

Have you tried spaghetti squash?  I tried it for the first time about six years ago and I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan.  I think it was because I expected something a little different so I didn't give it a fair chance.  At any rate, I decided to give it another try a few months ago.  Mainly because a co-worker talked about the convenience of it when microwaved (yep you can microwave it!) and it sounded like the best kind of weeknight meal - quick and easy!  And I'm so glad I gave it that second chance because I loved it.  And now I'm a huge fan.  Like I-think-I-could-eat-it-once-per-week kind of fan!  And like I said, you can make it in under 30 minutes in the microwave!  And double bonus: because it's a vegetable, spaghetti squash is actually good for you!  Clean eating at its finest!

Here's how I like to prepare mine, though I'm open to additional recipes using spaghetti squash!  If you have a good one, send it my way!
Quick & Easy Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Spicy Marinara Sauce

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Spicy Marinara Sauce
What You Need:
Two spaghetti squash
Olive oil
Minced garlic
28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
Can of mushrooms
Red pepper flakes
Oregano
Salt & pepper


What You Do:
1. Pierce squash with a fork two or three times, then microwave the whole squash for 15 minutes.

2. Allow to cool another 15 minutes, then cut in half lengthwise.  Use a spoon to scoop out seeds. Shred the squash with a fork.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.  Heat oil in a large saute pan and add garlic; simmer until fragrant.  Add the tomatoes, mushrooms, red pepper, salt, pepper, and oregano.  Stir to combine.  Cook until the sauce begins to simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Top shredded squash with sauce (and Parmesan, if desired) and enjoy!

Note: This recipe makes four adult dinner-sized portions.  The sauce is also good with diced onions and green peppers included!

5 comments:

  1. I have a squash waiting for me to use it because I am scared it's going to be horrible. I've found a recipe on Pinterest that has you bake it which is what I have to do because we don't own a microwave (we are strange birds). I am going to make chicken alfredo with it.

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  2. I've been eating spaghetti squash once a week when we have our pasta night - everyone else gets pasta and I get squash. I use to be bitter but I've grown to love it! Definitely going to check out your marinara sauce :)

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  3. I love spaghetti squash! We made it in the crock pot once and it was super easy, but did take advance planning and quite a bit longer. I'll have to try this microwave method next time!

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  4. Yum! I had no idea you could microwave spaghetti squash! I usually roast it for 30 minutes in the oven, hello short cut! Though me and Brielana are the only ones who eat it lol.

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