Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter
Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter is a low-carb version of an iconic Spaghetti Factory dish! And if you like spaghetti squash and have enjoyed spaghetti with Mizithra and browned butter, you’re going to love this recipe!
PIN Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter!
Spaghetti Squash is starting to show up in the stores, so today I’m reminding you about this fantastically delicious Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter! If you’re living in the U.S. and you’re familiar with Mizithra Cheese, there’s a good chance you learned about it at The Old Spaghetti Factory.
I’ve been a long-time fan of this famous dish, but these days a big plate of spaghetti isn’t something I’d splurge on for dinner very often. That’s why I decided to try to create a version of this iconic recipe that was a carb-conscious option.
Jake and I first tried using Mizithra and browned butter on zucchini noodles, an experiment that was not a keeper. Then we had the idea of trying it on spaghetti squash, and oh my happy tastebuds! The Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter was amazing.
Everything about this combination worked perfectly, and when we tested the recipe Jake and I had to use ultimate self control not to eat it all at once! This low-carb and gluten-free version of The Old Spaghetti Factory’s classic dish would also be great for Keto, and it’s a perfect side dish for a low-carb meal; enjoy!
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- spaghetti squash
- Olive Oil (affiliate link)
- salt and black pepper
- butter
- Mizithra Cheese
What is Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti Squash is a type of winter squash that’s popular with vegetable gardeners. It’s famous for the way the cooked squash strings apart in strings, resembling spaghetti. And if you grow your own spaghetti squash you can also cook unripe spaghetti squash as a summer squash, which is one of my personal favorites!
What is Mizithra Cheese?
Mizithra Cheese is a type cheese that comes from Greece or the Island of Crete. It’s most often sold as an aged, hard cheese that’s grated like Parmesan. It has a distinctive nutty flavor, and in the United States this cheese was made famous by The Old Spaghetti Factory, where Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter has been the most popular dish since 1969.
What is Browned Butter?
Browned Butter is simply butter that’s cooked until it foams and the milk fat darkens and develops a nutty flavor. Here is How to Brown Butter if you’ve never tried it.
Do you have to roast the spaghetti squash?
Roasting dries out the spaghetti squash a bit and we loved the roasted spaghetti squash in this dish. But you can also cook the spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot or the Slow Cooker if you prefer.
How low in carbs is Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra and Browned Butter?
This delightful variation for the classic Spaghetti Factory favorite only has 8.7 net carbs per serving!
Want more cheesy Spaghetti Squash?
Check out 20 Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipes for more more tasty ideas with spaghetti squash + cheese!
How to Make Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- Carefully cut away the ends of the spaghetti squash and cut it in half.
- Scrape out seeds, brush with olive oil, season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper and roast the squash about 60 minutes, or until it shreds apart easily.
- When it’s done, shred apart into strings, keeping them inside the squash skin as a serving vessel.
- Make browned butter and pour over the shredded squash.
- Top with a generous amount of Mizithra and serve.
- One spaghetti squash makes enough for four side-dish servings of this, and you’ll want to eat it as a side dish unless you’re really having a splurge; enjoy!
Make it a Low-Carb Meal:
For a tasty low-carb meal serve the Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra and Browned Butter with Roasted Salmon with Avocado Salsa, Rosemary Mustard Grilled Chicken, or Grilled Boneless Pork Chops. I think this could also be great served alone for a meatless meal1
More Ideas with Spaghetti Squash:
Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter
Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter is a lower-carb version of the famous Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter at The Old Spaghetti Factory!
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash (see notes)
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup browned butter (see notes)
- 1/2 cup grated Mizithra Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Spray a baking sheet with oil or non-stick spray.
- Pierce the spaghetti squash with a fork and microwave about 5 minutes on high to soften, so it’s easier to cut through the skin. (You can skip this step if you don’t have a microwave, but it does make the squash easier to cut.)
- Cut just the very end off each piece of squash, removing the stem.
- Cut squash lengthwise into two equal pieces and scrape out the seeds.
- Place squash onto the baking sheet and brush the surface with the olive oil.
- Season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper.
- Roast squash about 50-60 minutes, or until the pieces shred apart easily with a fork to make “spaghetti.”
- Larger pieces of squash may take a little more than an hour.
- When the squash is done, remove from the oven and use a fork to shred the squash strands apart, keeping them in the serving vessel made by the skin of the squash.
- Cut the butter into pieces and place in a small frying pan.
- Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Then continue cooking the butter, whisking constantly, until it starts to foam up and turns slightly brown.
- The butter should have some brown flecks in the bottom of the pan and smell slightly nutty when it’s done.
- You can strain to remove the foam if you wish, although it’s not necessary.
- Here’s more about How to Brown Butter if you haven’t done it.
- Drizzle the browned butter over the squash and top with desired amount of the grated Mizithra Cheese.
- Serve hot, with a little more cheese to pass at the table if desired.
Notes
Use a spaghetti squash that's at least 2 1/2 pounds for this recipe. Use just over half of a stick of butter.
Nutritional information is based on a serving size of about one cup of spaghetti squash.
This recipe created by Kalyn and Jake with inspiration from The Old Spaghetti Factory.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 259Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 13gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 55mgSodium 394mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 2.3gSugar 4gProtein 4.7g
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:
This spaghetti squash recipe is a great dish for low-carb diets, even Keto. However, if you’re following the letter of the law for the original South Beach Diet, anything served with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter is probably an occasional treat even for phase three, due to the saturated fat in the butter and cheese.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes or Spaghetti Squash to find 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 Kalynโs Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes Iโm sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra and Browned Butter was posted in 2015. It was last updated with more information in 2024.
30 Comments on “Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter”
I have made this recipe, and it is awesome! I didnโt care for spaghetti squash until I tried this. Thank you for inspiring us with your wonderful recipes!ย
So glad you enjoyed it!
Despite living in u.s I did not hear about mizithra cheese. well the recipe is indeed delicious especially with Browned Butter
Glad you liked it!
Mizithra is a Greek cheese that isn’t as popular outside of Greece as feta is. However, it shouldn’t be ignored! It tastes great in so many different types of dishes (such as this one) that it’s worth keeping on hand!
I agree, it’s so tasty!
After roasting my spaghetti squash in the oven and shredded my squash, is it normal to still have some moisture/water. My shredded squash is not totally dry. Is this correct?
The squash should be a little moist when it's done but not what I would call "wet". Some squash might be a lot moister than others, depending on how long since it was picked. You could roast it a few more minutes if you don't think it's done, but it certainly won't hurt anything.
Mizithra cheese and browned butter are favorites of mine! I look forward to trying it with squash!
Thanks Julie; hope you enjoy as much as we did!
Yvonne, hope you enjoy!
This will be the year that I try spaghetti squash – and I want to make this recipe first!
Spaghetti squash is so fantastic! I can't always find it but when I do I always buy it!
Thanks Tonia. I'm a big spaghetti squash fan, but loved it even more with this combo!
This looks delicious! Spaghetti squash is one of my favorites, but I've never tried mizithra. I'll be on the lookout for it! ๐
I really loved those flavors with the spaghetti squash!
I have never heard of mizithra cheese, but one look at that squash and I know I will love it!
Mizithra is amazing; you must try it!
I am long overdue to try spaghetti sauce again. This looks great, Kalyn!
Thanks Andi; hope you enjoy!
I LOVE spaghetti squash and I'm always looking for ways to serve it up. I love that you put it with browned butter and cheese….yum!
Thanks; so glad you like it!
I have never tried mizithra cheese, but sounds like I need to! I love this recipe Kalyn. I learned to appreciate brown butter in Istanbul – so yummy. I'm pinning this recipe to "exceptional vegetables."
Lisa, you MUST try it; so good!
This sounds indulgent in the best way! I've heard of mizithra cheese but have never cooked with it before. Definitely keeping an eye out for it!
Thanks Joanne! You should definitely be able to find Mizithra in New York; I bet you'll love it. It's a dry cheese; just made to combine with butter!
I've never heard of mizithra cheese but we have a local Greek store that I'm going to check in to see if they carry it. Beautiful presentation!
Thanks Jeanette! I love it, hope you can find some. It's pretty widely available in Utah in the better grocery stores.
I found some at our local Greek store this week! Looking forward to trying it.
Jeanette, yaay! I hope you like it!