Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash is that dish I always crave on weeknights when I want something kinda Italian, kinda healthy, and definitely cheesy. You know those days when you’re just staring at a boring spaghetti squash on your counter and thinking, “How do I make this not sad?” Well, let me tell you, this recipe levels up spaghetti squash like nobody’s business. It’s comforting, it’s hearty, but it honestly leaves you feeling lighter than your typical pasta bake. And yes, you can find more easy, low-carb ideas like this on “low carb pasta alternatives” or save time with “quick weeknight meals”.
Ingredient Notes
Alright, let’s dig into what you actually need for this million dollar spaghetti squash. You want to pick a spaghetti squash that’s fairly heavy—y’know, not squishy (I’ve made that mistake, trust me). The main players: ground beef or sausage (depending on your mood), a jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I go for one with garlic, because hello, flavor), some cream cheese, a bit of sour cream, cottage cheese (sounds weird, tastes right), mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.
If you’re dairy-free, swap what you need, but the gooey factor drops a notch. The beauty of this recipe? You can throw in extras—spinach, bell peppers, or even a handful of olives. And if you love spice, a dash of red pepper flakes is a must.
One time I accidentally used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It actually worked—so there’s your “oops, but not really an oops” moment. Anyone with picky eaters? You’ll want to maybe chop the veggies tiny so they’re hidden under the cheese. Oddly satisfying.
“This is hands-down the only way I can get my kids to eat veggies. Even my husband asked for seconds, and he’s a ‘meat and potatoes’ guy!” — Jen W.
How To Make Spaghetti Squash
Let’s not complicate things. Spaghetti squash can seem a little intimidating if you haven’t made it before, but actually, it’s easy. Cut that baby in half lengthwise. Yes, this is the hardest part—those shells are tougher than my grandma’s buns at Thanksgiving. Scoop out the seeds (I use a big spoon, sometimes a fork if I’m feeling feisty).
Place the squash face-down on a baking sheet, splash a bit of olive oil, and roast at 400°F for about 35-40 minutes. When the flesh shreds easily with a fork, you’re golden. Trust me, don’t bother microwaving or boiling; roasting gives the best stringy, pasta-like texture.
Once it’s cooled down, drag a fork through it and the “noodles” just kind of appear—it’s almost magical. Tastes like adventure, not sadness.
Sometimes I let the squash drain in a towel to release extra moisture. Makes the bake less soupy and keeps the cheese all gooey.
How To Make Low Carb Meat Sauce
Okay, so this is where flavor explodes. Grab a skillet, brown up your ground beef or sausage until it’s nicely crumbled. I sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and usually some chopped onion. Drain any extra grease (no one wants oily sauce, right?).
Toss in your pasta sauce—homemade or store-bought, I’m not here to judge. Let it simmer for, say, five minutes so everything gets friendly. If you want extra veggies, now’s the time to add ‘em. Mushrooms, zucchini, spinach—all fair game.
A wild tip? Stir in just a spoonful of the cheese mix here. It thickens things up and makes the sauce creamier. Seriously, you’ll thank me later.
Once you taste it, you’ll be shocked how simple it is. (Don’t forget to steal a spoonful before you assemble everything—that’s the chef’s tax.)
Make Ahead and Storage
Here’s the secret for busy lives (which is, well, all of us). You can prep the whole million dollar spaghetti squash ahead of time. Just layer up your casserole, wrap tightly, and stash it in the fridge for up to two days before baking.
If you go full-on meal prepper, bake it, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. It keeps for three to four days and reheats perfectly in the microwave. Freeze individual slices if you want—a weeknight lifesaver. Thaw in the fridge and reheat until bubbly.
Nothing like opening the fridge and realizing dinner’s pretty much ready, am I right? I’ve even shared slices with neighbors—they claimed it was “five-star restaurant good,” which I will totally brag about forever.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
Let me dish out a handful of random (but important) tips I’ve picked up:
- Always salt the squash before roasting. Gives more flavor, so don’t forget.
- Don’t skimp on the cheese. Honestly, it’s what makes it million dollar anything.
- If the casserole looks watery, let it sit for five minutes when it’s out of the oven. It thickens up on its own.
- I love broiling it for the last two minutes so the top is extra cheesy and golden.
One last thing—taste as you go! Some sauces need more zip, some need none at all. No shame in tweaking.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
A: Totally! Just add a touch more seasoning so it’s not bland.
Q: Is this actually low carb?
A: Yup, as long as you’re not piling on tons of bread crumbs or pasta sauce with sugar.
Q: How do I make it vegetarian?
A: Skip the meat and add mushrooms or lentils for texture. Still really good.
Q: Can you prep everything the day before?
A: Absolutely. Give yourself the gift of almost-ready dinner.
Q: Do picky eaters notice the squash?
A: Not if you cover it in enough cheese and sauce! Trust me on this one.
Go Make This Tonight (You’ll Thank Yourself)
Million dollar spaghetti squash is comfort food magic but doesn’t weigh you down. Between the creamy cheese, rich meat sauce, and those surprise veggie noodles, you’ll want to eat the leftovers cold (not kidding). Make yours tonight and see why it’s basically famous—if you want other ideas for prepping healthy meals, check out this Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Casserole | That Low Carb Life recipe. I’ve also drooled over the photos here at Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash – The Gunny Sack for more inspiration.
Go on, you’ve got a cutting board and a squash somewhere. Let’s live a little!
Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Place the squash face-down on a baking sheet, splash with olive oil and roast at 400°F for 35-40 minutes.
- Once roasted, let it cool and scrape out the 'noodles' with a fork.
- If desired, drain the squash in a towel to release extra moisture.
- Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet until nicely crumbled.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chopped onion, and drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the pasta sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add optional extra veggies like mushrooms or spinach at this point.
- Stir in a spoonful of the cheese mix to thicken the sauce.
- Layer the roasted spaghetti squash, meat sauce, and cheeses in a baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Place the squash face-down on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
- Roast in the oven at 400°F for about 35-40 minutes until the flesh shreds easily with a fork.
- Once cooled, scrape the flesh with a fork to create 'noodles'.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until crumbled.
- Add the chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook until the onion is soft.
- Drain excess grease, then stir in the pasta sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in any additional veggies if desired.
- For a creamier sauce, stir in a spoonful of the cheese mix before assembling.
- Combine the spaghetti squash and meat sauce in a baking dish.
- Layer with cottage cheese, cream cheese, and mozzarella.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden cheese top.
