Spaghetti squash is a lower-carbohydrate alternative to regular pasta or other squash especially if you’re following a low-carb diet. Having fewer carbs per serving means spaghetti squash won’t influence your blood sugar as drastically as higher-carb foods.
Like other winter squash, spaghetti squash has a tough rind that’s difficult to cut, so the easiest approach is to bake or boil it whole. After it’s cooked, it’s a breeze to cut in half, then drag a fork across the flesh to separate it into strands.
Cooked spaghetti squash has only 10 grams of total carbohydrate per cup whereas most other winter squash, such as butternut squash and acorn squash, have between 21 and 24 grams of carbohydrate per cup.
The fiber content of spaghetti squash and enriched spaghetti is very similar, providing just over two grams per cup. This means that spaghetti squash provides the same fiber content for less calories, helping you feel just as full without eating hundreds of calories.
Here are 6 mouthwatering low-carb spaghetti squash recipes:
1. How to Cook a Simple Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients:
2 2-lb. spaghetti squash
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Cookie sheet
Tomato or pesto sauce
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven and slice squash
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Slice your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.
Tip
The larger the squash, the wider and longer the noodles.
2. Oil, salt, and pepper squash
Rub the inside of the squash with the olive oil and salt and pepper it lightly.
3. Bake squash
Place the squash on the cookie sheet, cut sides up. Bake it until soft – about an hour.
4. Scrape inside with fork
Let the squash cool until you can handle it. Then scrape the inside with a fork, lengthwise, to form noodles.
5. Toss noodles with pasta sauce
Toss the noodles with your favorite pasta or pesto sauce and enjoy a happy supper.
2. Cheesy Pesto Chicken-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Skip the starchy noodles and layer all the tasty components of a cheesy pesto chicken lasagna into a perfectly tender baked spaghetti squash. Click here to view the recipe.
3. Spaghetti Squash with Bacon, Spinach, and Goat Cheese
A spaghetti squash and bacon dish even die-hard pasta fans will love. Click here to view the recipe.
4. Bacon, Spaghetti Squash, and Parmesan Fritters
Bacon Spaghetti Squash & Parmesan Fritters – need I say more? Click here to view the recipe.
5. Garlic Spaghetti Squash With Herbs
For those less saucy days, mix your spaghetti squash with delicious cheese, pine nuts and herbs. Click here to view the recipe.
6. Spinach Artichoke Spaghetti Squash
A healthier way to serve a favorite dip, this Spinach Artichoke Spaghetti Squash Recipe has squash combined with spinach, artichokes, and a creamy cheese sauce. Click here to view the recipe.
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