Spaghetti squash in casseroles

[PalmTreeGal]

I looove spaghetti squash - with basil pesto, with artichoke-lemon pesto, with butter and parmesan, as a side to any recipe that involves a cream sauce. I am not a big pasta lover but I adore spaghetti squash with pasta-type toppings!

Anyway, I just made a Dana Carpender casserole that she says was her grandmother's with squash instead of egg noodles. It was called something like "My Grandmother's Standby Casserole." It involved ground beef, tomato sauce, sour cream, cream cheese and scallions. Totally delish, although not super low in carbs (around 13 per serving).

Can you sub spaghetti squash in other traditional casseroles? I love chicken or turkey tetrazzini and also that "chicken spaghetti" casserole that involves cream-of-something soup and lots of cheese. (Would have to find a cream soup sub without added starchs, obviously.)

Like this: The Pioneer Woman Cooks! by Ree Drummond

[Kevinpa]

Mandy, have you ever tried my spaghetti squash pie?



Spaghetti Squash Pie

[Kevinpa]

When you mentioned Dana's recipe it reminded me of her zucchini lasagna that I used to tweak and use spaghetti squash instead of zucchini. It was really good.

Low-Carb Lasagna Recipe Using Spaghetti Squash for Noodles

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash
Italian seasoning
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
Salt and pepper
1 26-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
24 oz. ricotta cheese
24 oz. grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese


Prepare squash by puncturing with thin fork about 10 time all around and microwave for about 11 min on high.
Then cut in half and remove and discard seeds.
Then scoop the spaghetti like pulp from skin and put in bowl and Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and set aside.



In a skillet, brown ground chuck and ground pork until crumbly.
Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
Stir in spaghetti sauce.

In a 9" x 13" baking pan (pan must be at least 2" deep) spread a thin layer of the meat sauce.

Top with a layer of spaghetti squash.
Top with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese.
Top that with 1/3of the mozzarella cheese.
Top with 1/3 of the meat sauce.
Top with 1/3of the Parmesan cheese.
Repeat layering 2 more times ending with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

Cool about 10 minutes before cutting into squares to serve. Yield: Assuming 12 servings

Each will have: 520 calories; 38 G fat; 35 G protein; 8 carbs.

[momacat]

Strange- I went to a vegetarian restaurant this evening with a group of friends and one of the many dishes we ordered were spaghetti squash pancakes. They were sort of like potato pancakes but made with spaghetti squash instead. They were very tasty!

[Kevinpa]

Originally Posted by momacat

Strange- I went to a vegetarian restaurant this evening with a group of friends and one of the many dishes we ordered were spaghetti squash pancakes. They were sort of like potato pancakes but made with spaghetti squash instead. They were very tasty!

I've made those Cheryl.

I think its the 3rd one on the 1st post of this thread.

Latkes Galore!!

[Kevinpa]

LOL, while I'm at it here's a couple more.

Spaggetti Squash "Pasta" salad?


Baked Spaghetti Squash Cake

[Barbo]

This is easy to low carb. Just use the Cream of Chicken Mushroom
Soup for lower carrbs. When using spaghetti squash for this casserole,
after cooking it, drain it in collander and then squeeze with your hands
until nice and dry. Pat excess moisture with paper towel, then use
it just like cooked pasta.

[Erica L. Butler]

Originally Posted by Kevinpa

When you mentioned Dana's recipe it reminded me of her zucchini lasagna that I used to tweak and use spaghetti squash instead of zucchini. It was really good.

Low-Carb Lasagna Recipe Using Spaghetti Squash for Noodles

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash
Italian seasoning
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
Salt and pepper
1 26-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
24 oz. ricotta cheese
24 oz. grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese


Prepare squash by puncturing with thin fork about 10 time all around and microwave for about 11 min on high.
Then cut in half and remove and discard seeds.
Then scoop the spaghetti like pulp from skin and put in bowl and Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and set aside.



In a skillet, brown ground chuck and ground pork until crumbly.
Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
Stir in spaghetti sauce.

In a 9" x 13" baking pan (pan must be at least 2" deep) spread a thin layer of the meat sauce.

Top with a layer of spaghetti squash.
Top with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese.
Top that with 1/3of the mozzarella cheese.
Top with 1/3 of the meat sauce.
Top with 1/3of the Parmesan cheese.
Repeat layering 2 more times ending with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

Cool about 10 minutes before cutting into squares to serve. Yield: Assuming 12 servings

Each will have: 520 calories; 38 G fat; 35 G protein; 8 carbs.

I will be making this tomorrow-- I just got some Spaghetti squash today! WooHOO!

[PalmTreeGal]

Wonderful, thanks so much for the help and recipes! Can't wait to try the chicken spaghetti casserole in particular.

[Criosa]

Originally Posted by momacat

Strange- I went to a vegetarian restaurant this evening with a group of friends and one of the many dishes we ordered were spaghetti squash pancakes. They were sort of like potato pancakes but made with spaghetti squash instead. They were very tasty!

Great idea for potato pancakes.

I wonder if you could fry spaghetti squash like hash browns!

[Mule_Freak]

OH MY GOSH!!! Kevin please tell me (if you don't mind) how much Speg. Squash did you use for the Squash Cake? Did it come out watery? That baked Squash Cake looker "killer" good. Thanks

[Kevinpa]

Originally Posted by Mule_Freak

OH MY GOSH!!! Kevin please tell me (if you don't mind) how much Speg. Squash did you use for the Squash Cake? Did it come out watery? That baked Squash Cake looker "killer" good. Thanks

Sherrie, I usually buy a medium to large squash but I didn't measure it out although I guess I should have.....Sorry I don't have an exact answer for you. A guess would be 3 or 4 cups.

[PalmTreeGal]

Do these casseroles freeze well?

I am making Spaghetti Squash Carbonar tonight, YUM!

[BluCrystal]

Those "potato" spaghetti squash pancakes sound interesting! I may have to try that. I've got some leftover squash in the fridge that I could try it with.

[woogers_1]

These all sound wonderful! Great thread, hope to see more recipes and ideas coming!

[PalmTreeGal]

Anyone have input on freezing cooked spag squash, alone or in casseroles?

[Bar10der]

Originally Posted by PalmTreeGal

Anyone have input on freezing cooked spag squash, alone or in casseroles?

I have frozen cooked spag. squash with good results. Thaw out in the refrigerator prior to using.

[PalmTreeGal]

Originally Posted by Bar10der

I have frozen cooked spag. squash with good results. Thaw out in the refrigerator prior to using.

Thanks!

I froze a couple 1/2 cup servings in ziploc bags. I assume they will ooze some water when thawed which will need to be drained.