Pesto Spaghetti Squash
Twice-baked Pesto Spaghetti Squash topped with Parmesan is a delicious idea that’s perfect for a low-carb meatless meal or a cheesy side dish.
PIN Pesto Spaghetti Squash to try it later!
Are you a fan of spaghetti squash? It’s turned into a favorite fall vegetable for many people because it’s low in carbs, low in calories, and versatile. For years I grew spaghetti squash in my garden, and although I’m not especially a fan of it as a substitute for pasta, I love to eat spaghetti squash as a side dish or as the base of a bowl meal.
And fall is when spaghetti squash shows up in the stores or Farmers markets, so I’m featuring this recipe as my Friday Favorites pick this week to remind you about this ultra popular Pesto Spaghetti Squash that’s baked and shredded apart, mixed with pesto and Parmesan, and baked again in a casserole dish. Yum!
And spaghetti squash shows up in the garden about the time you’ve been making Pesto and storing it in the freezer, although if you don’t have any homemade pesto you can certainly use my favorite pesto in a jar for this recipe.
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
- spaghetti squash
- Olive Oil (affiliate link)
- Italian Herb Seasoning (affiliate link), or use other seasoning of your choice
- Basil Pesto (affiliate link), more or less to taste
- coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and fresh ground black pepper
Want more spaghetti squash recipes?
Check out Spaghetti Squash Recipes for more ways to use this favorite fall vegetable. This post was included in a round-up of Cheesy Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipes.
Do you love Pesto?
Check out Low-Carb and Keto Recipes with Pesto for more tasty ideas using basil pesto!
How to make Pesto Spaghetti Squash:
(Scroll down for complete printable recipe with nutritional information.)
- Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and use a sharp spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy gunk that’s around the seeds.
- Rub the cut sides with some olive oil and sprinkle with a little Italian Herb Seasoning (affiliate link).
- Roast the squash at 400F/200C until the squash pulls apart easily with a fork like this.
- I had a really big squash so I scraped it all out into a baking dish to mix the pesto and Parmesan with the squash. (You could do this in the same dish you bake it in if you’re not taking photos!)
- Here’s how it looked when the squash, pesto, and Parmesan was evenly mixed.
- I transferred it to this baking dish which is about 12 inches by 8 inches. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
- Bake 20-30 minutes more, or until it’s bubbling and starting to brown.
- Serve hot, with additional Parmesan to add at the table if desired.
Make It A Low-Carb Meal:
Pesto Spaghetti Squash would taste great served with Grilled Boneless Pork Chops, Chicken Souvlaki, Grilled Cuban Flank Steak, Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken, or Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks for a low-carb meal.
More Meatless Ideas for Spaghetti Squash:
- Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash
- Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl
- Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowl
- Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter
- Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash With Kale
Weekend Food Prep:
This recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!
Pesto Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is baked and the mixed with pesto and Parmesan and baked again in this delicious recipe for Pesto Spaghetti Squash!
Ingredients
- 1 large spaghetti squash (see notes)
- 2 T olive oil
- 2 tsp. Italian Herb Blend (or use other seasoning of your choice)
- 3 T basil pesto (more or less to taste)
- 1 1/4 cups coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Wash outside of spaghetti squash if it’s dirty, then cut squash in half lengthwise.
- Use a sharp pointed spoon to scrape out seeds and stringy gunk that’s around the seeds.
- Cut ends off squash if desired, then rub inside surface with olive oil and Italian Herb Seasoning (affiliate link).
- Put squash on baking sheet that you’ve sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Roast squash, starting to check after about 40 minutes and removing when squash is still firm but strings apart fairly easily into spaghetti-like strands. (It took about 50 minutes for the large pieces of squash I had.)
- Let squash cool a few minutes if needed, then scrape out strands into a plastic bowl or baking pan and discard skins.
- Gently mix in pesto and the cup of coarsely grated Parmesan cheese, season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Then pour squash/cheese mixture into a gratin dish and top with 1/4 cup more Parmesan cheese.
- Bake 20-30 minutes more, until mixture is slightly bubbling and cheese is melted and starting to brown. Serve hot.
Notes
Look for a spaghetti squash that's about 6 lbs.
Recipe created by Kalyn.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 407mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Pesto Spaghetti Squash is a perfect side dish for low-carb or Keto eating plans. I would eat it for any phase of the original South Beach Diet, but it might be a bit high in fat if you’re following the letter of the law for South Beach.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes for more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This recipe was first posted in 2009, and it’s been really popular on the site ever since then. It was last updated with more information in 2022.
78 Comments on “Pesto Spaghetti Squash”
I have a spaghetti squash in the house that is perfect for this! Can't wait to try it!
Thanks Karen; hope you enjoy!
This is right up my alley! I LOVE spaghetti squash and pesto so much. I will have to make this. Pinning it to my "to make" board!!
Judy, so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks so much for this recipe. I was given a spaghetti squash today and had never cooked one. This was easy and delicious.
I think it would still be good. In Italy they make pesto by hand with a mortar and pestle, so you could try that if you have one of those.
I have some fresh basil I'd like to use in this, but I don't have a food processor to make my own pesto. How do you think this would be with finely chopped basil instead of pesto, tossed with a little olive oil? Thanks Kalyn!
Thank you! Love the Sound of your spaghetti squash pancake.
I too don't like it as a pasta sub. but last summer I made it into spagetti squash pancake like a potatoe pancake. It is especially good if you freeze it after you cook it. Then squeeze out your squash after it thaws then mix it with cheese and garlic salt. Then cook pancake til crispy. love your website.
I wouldn't use water to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave. I actually haven't cooked it with a microwave, although I know some people do. I think oven roasting will give a drier texture, and yes it does resemble thin spaghetti.
I actually just tried this for the first time tonight. I microwaved it in a dish with 1/4 cup of water like the South Beach Diet book told me to. It came our similar to the consistency of sauerkraut. Is it supposed to be drier? Is it actually supposed to look like spaghetti? Maybe next time I will try roasting it dry in the microwave. It didn't taste bad though, despite looking like a hot dog topping.
Anna, don't really know, but I think spaghetti squash is something where there are a lot of ways to cook it, so that might be why. I know people who just microwave it, and they swear it turns out fine.
This looks REALLY yummy, I can't wait to make it! I've been looking around at spaghetti squash recipes and it seems like they all have different cooking instructions: cut side up, cut side down, with water, without water, 30 mins, 90 mins.
I saw that you suggested cut side up, with water for 50 mins. Do you know why there are so many other directions?
Another delicious recipe, Kalyn. Thanks!!
Renee, thanks for the tip.
Kalyn,
You speed up the process, you can microwave the spaghetti squash, then use the rest of the recipe. Pierce squash in several places, place on paper towel, then microwave uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, turning over once during cooking time. Let cool 10 minutes, then cut in half, remove seeds and fibers.
I was hooked on almost this exact recipe for MONTHS. I’d have it a few times a week as my main dinner. Except I use feta cheese. Give that a try… awwwwesome!
Realgoldn, I’ve never tried freezing spaghetti squash. I’ve frozen other kinds of winter squash though and the results are usually not too good for plain squash. It will freeze okay as part of a soup or stew, but for plain squash the frozen squash gets pretty waterey. I doubt that spaghetti squash will be that great frozen, but if you try it please let us know how it turns out.
can you freeze squash if so should it be before or after cooking
Man i dont have any pesto