By: Jill Mills Updated: Nov 27, 2024

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This Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe features roasted spaghetti squash topped with a simple meat sauce and lots of cheese. It’s easy to make and a tasty alternative to pasta night!

Overhead view of cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash

We’re a pretty big fan of pasta in this house, whether it’s pesto pasta, lemon garlic pasta, or taco pasta, but some nights I just want something a little different. I won’t tell you that this spaghetti squash tastes exactly like pasta because…well..it doesn’t. But it does have a similar texture and feel and it’s so good. Even the vegetable-hating boys enjoy it!

Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Here are a few reasons why I love these stuffed spaghetti squash boats.

Great alternative to spaghetti. Whether you’re looking for a low carb option or just want the pasta feel without eating actual pasta, spaghetti squash is a great alternative. It’s one of my favorite ways to sneak more veggies into a meal! It’s actually pretty impressive how similar of a texture it has to spaghetti.
Easy! The “hardest” part of this recipe is cutting the spaghetti squash. Beyond that, the oven really does most of the work. All you need to do is cook the meat mixture.
Customizable. You can make this recipe with your favorite spaghetti sauce and any ground meat you’d like, or even make it meatless. So many options!

If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to check out my stuffed butternut squash too!

Ingredients needed to make stuffed spaghetti squash with meat sauce

What You’ll Need

There are only a handful of ingredients needed to make this stuffed spaghetti squash recipe. You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Spaghetti squash – See below for tips on how to cut it for this recipe.
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Onion & garlic – Aromatics to add flavor to the filling.
Ground beef – I recommend extra lean ground beef for this recipe.
Spaghetti sauce – If you are opting for spaghetti squash over pasta to cut carbs or need a keto meal, use the lowest carb sauce possible. Otherwise, any spaghetti sauce will do.
Cheese – I like to use both mozzarella and parmesan in this dish. Freshly shredded and grated is best.

How To Cut a Spaghetti Squash

Cutting the spaghetti squash is arguably the hardest part of this recipe. Here are a few ways to do:

Without a microwave. Cut off the stem of the squash. Place it on a cutting board and use a very sharp knife to cut it in half lengthwise, starting at the top. This does require a bit of a muscle and you may have to cut through a few times to get all the way through.
With a microwave. The easier way to cut it is to cut slits along the edge of the squash where you eventually want to cut. Microwave the squash for 4-5 minutes then use a sharp knife to cut from the top to bottom, along the cuts you made earlier. Microwaving the squash makes it softer and much easier to cut. Do NOT microwave the squash without cutting the slits first!

After you cut the spaghetti squash, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

How to Make Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Here’s an overview of how to make cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash. It’s so easy – the oven does most of the week! You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.

Spaghetti squash halves brushed with olive oil

Roasted spaghetti squash on a baking sheet

Season the squash. Brush each half of the spaghetti squash with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on the baking sheet.
Roast the squash. Roast the spaghetti squash at 375F for 45 minutes, until you can easily pierce the skin of the squash with a fork.

Cook the beef. While the squash is roasting, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion until softened then add the minced garlic. Cook for a minute then add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Once browned, remove any excess fat.
Simmer. Set a cup of spaghetti sauce to the side. Add the rest to the beef mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Tomato sauce added to roasted spaghetti squash halves

Stuffed spaghetti squash with meat sauce on a baking sheet

Prep the squash. Carefully turn the roasted squash over and use a fork to fluff the “spaghetti”. Add 1/4 cup of sauce to each half and stir with a fork.
Assemble. Sprinkle each half with parmesan then scoop the meat sauce onto each half and top with shredded mozzarella.
Bake. Bake at 375F for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Enjoy!

A fork in a cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash

Tips & Variations

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make these stuffed spaghetti squash boats. Plus a few easy variations!

How do I know when the spaghetti squash is done? The exact time it takes to cook the spaghetti squash will depend on the size of the squash. I recommend checking at 45 minutes and then every 5 minutes after. You should be able to easily pierce the skin with a fork.
Make it meatless. If you prefer vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash, just omit the ground beef from the recipe. You may want to add other veggies or mushrooms to the sauce instead.
Bake in a casserole dish if needed. I love to cook this recipe right in the spaghetti squash and serve it from there. However, if you prefer, you can transfer the spaghetti squash strands to a baking dish and add the sauce on top there.
Try other protein. Instead of ground beef, you can try ground pork, ground turkey, or even ground chicken for a different flavor.

Cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash on a white plate

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy stuffed spaghetti squash is a pretty complete meal on its own! I do sometimes like to start the meal with a fresh garden salad and cloud bread. If you’re not necessarily looking for a low-carb dinner, you can never go wrong with some breadsticks!

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Store leftover stuffed spaghetti squash in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for 3-4 days.
Reheat. The easiest way to reheat this dish is in the oven, covered with foil. You can also reheat individual portions of the filling in the microwave, though I don’t necessarily recommend microwaving the entire squash half.

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash