Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Jan 16, 2017, Updated Sep 19, 2021
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Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash Pasta – An easy and healthy spaghetti squash pasta dinner tossed with basil pesto and sun dried tomatoes.
This post is sponsored by STAR FINE FOODS. Thank YOU, friends, for supporting the brands that make Diethood possible!
…and fresh moot-suh–rrrrel-luh!
HEY YA! Happy Monday! It’s a meatless one, but once you dig into this spaghetti squash pasta, meat will be the last thing on yo mind. It’s really, really GOOD!
You know what I’ve realized? So long as there’s fresh mozzarella and pesto, I would eat grasshoppers if they were wrapped in it. Kinda gross, I know, but I’d do it.
In related news, I just spent the last 10.5 minutes browsing the internet for an answer to how many servings of spaghetti squash am I allowed to eat. Answer: A lot. Just as long as there’s nothing else in it. Bo-ring.
Spaghetti Squash Pasta Recipe
Spaghetti squash diet aside, I am currently content with said squash in pasta form twirled around in basil pesto, sun dried tomatoes and cheeeeez. It’s the reasonable and fair way to enjoy good-for-you food.
Besides, this is packed with healthful Vitamin A, fiber and potassium, and since it’s free of gluten, you can eat all of it in just one sitting. KIDDING! A little…
To kick things up a notch, I decided to add a drizzle of STAR’s Olive Oil with Fresh Basil. The fact that it’s packed with fresh basil leaves feels like a bonus. The fresh flavor of basil and its sweet aroma pairs perfectly with our squash pasta.
For all of this to start to come together, I am first going to need you to hop over to my recipe for how to cook spaghetti squash in a microwave. It’s super easy. Just 14-ish minutes and it’s done.
While all that is happening, you’ll just mince some garlic, combine it with a bit of olive oil, basil pesto and sun dried tomatoes. As soon as the squash is cool enough to handle, you’ll scrape out the “spaghetti” and toss it with the prepared pesto.
Now I’m gonna be real wiCH you. One whole half of the squash filled me up. Full 2 servings of it with all the wonderful mix of cheese and sun dried tomatoes was plenty and I didn’t need anything else. My husband was also content, but two hours later, if that, he was rummaging through the fridge and pantry looking for grub… more like, he was looking for a steak.
However, with only around 325 calories per serving, you can definitely add more to that dinner plate. My suggestion? chicken + salad! I’m full of great ideas, ain’t I?!
STAR Basil Infused Olive Oil is available at select Raley’s, Save Mart and Food Lion stores and ONLINE.
ENJOY!
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Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 pounds spaghetti squash
- 1 tablespoon STAR Olive Oil with Fresh Basil, , divided
- 1 garlic clove, , minced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup julienne-cut sun dried tomatoes, (not in oil)
- salt and fresh ground pepper, , to taste
- 4 ounces thin slices of fresh mozzarella
Instructions
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave
- Wash the outside of the squash, then slice it lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Next, place the squash face down in a 9×13 glass baking dish. Fill the dish with about an inch of water. Microwave the squash on HIGH for 15 minutes; check to see if the squash is soft enough. If not, microwave for 5 more minutes.
Preparing the Squash Boats
- Meanwhile, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet; add garlic and cook for 20 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add sun dried tomatoes and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Stir in basil pesto; cook for 1 minute and remove from heat. Set aside.
- Carefully remove squash from microwave and let stand few minutes or until cool enough to handle.
- Take a fork and peel the spaghetti strands over the prepared pesto; gently stir to combine.
- Transfer the squash pasta back into the squash “boats”, top with cheese, and put it under the broiler for 4 to 5 minutes, or until cheese begins to melt.
- Remove from broiler, drizzle with remaining olive oil and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Now that’s my kind of dinner. I love cooking Spaghetti squash but my husband gets board with the same ol same ol when I make it. I’ll have to make this version to change it up a bit!
This is perfect for our low carb diet, and I love the flavors!
This recipe really could pair with a lot of things! I like all of your ideas, including the chicken & salad!
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! It just looks so fresh and delicious!
I could eat spaghetti squash EVERY DAY. And with basil pesto? SIGN ME UP.
I’m always amazed at how filling spaghetti squash is, and I could happily fill up on this pesto version!
I need to add spaghetti squash to my grocery list and make this! Loving the flavors!
I don’t have that much experience cooking with spaghetti squash, but I really need to give it a try. This looks like the perfect way to start!
Ohhh… Pesto and fresh mozzarella… I love it too, although I’m not sure I could eat grasshoppers with it… lol. 😉 This looks like such a great recipe!
I love everything about this recipe!