Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe (2024)

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ThisBacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squashrecipeis a deliciously easy side dish – it mighteven turn a reluctant spaghetti squash eater into a fan.

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If you aren’t familiar with spaghetti squash, it’s a winter squash that is oblong with a yellow, hard shell. The inside is a stringy, which is why the name “spaghetti” squash.

One of the things I love aboutspaghettisquash, like other winter squash, is that they keep well. I buy spaghetti squash when I see the prices at the lowest (I like to buy them at .79 cents per pound or less) and keep in a cool place. While I generally use within a week or so, you don’t have to — they can usually keep for about a month.

Ingredients needed to make Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash:

Cooking Equipment needed for Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash:

For years, I always cooked my spaghetti squash by cutting it in half lengthwise and then either baking it or microwaving it. But recently I learned a new method thatI like a lot better.

To cook my spaghetti squash for this recipe, I cut the squash into approximate 1″ rings.

After cutting it into rings, the middle (seeds & pulp) were removed and baked flat on a baking sheet in the oven. One benefit in doing it this way is that the spaghetti squash strands tend to be long, and not so short and stubby. But the main reason I prefer this method is that it cooks the spaghetti squash, but it’s not mushy or overdone. Check out the post at Eat Within Your Means for a complete tutorial and photos on how to cook spaghetti squash this way.

While the spaghetti squash is still warm, but cooled enough to behandled, remove the shell from each ring and use a fork and scrape the spaghetti squash strands toloosening and separate them. Place the strands intoa bowl and add your butter. If your squash has cooled too much, place it in the microwave to heat it up and get that butter melting. Toss the spaghetti squash strands with the butter.

Stir in theParmesan cheese and the baconpiecesuntil everything iscombined and season with salt and pepper. It’s now ready to serve!

Note:if your squash was large or smaller than the size I use (which was about 4 1/2 pounds), please feel free to increase or decrease the amount of cheese, butter…or heck — even the bacon. This is an easy sidedish that you can adapt to your personal preference. Do what works for you.

Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Here’s the full recipe, ready for you to print. If you aren’t ready for it quite yet, I recommend that you save it to one of your Pinterest boards.

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Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe (6)

Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash

★★★★★5 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Brandie Valenzuela
  • Yield: 6 -8 servings 1x
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Description

ThisBacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squashrecipeis a deliciously easy side dish – it mighteven turn a reluctant spaghetti squash eater into a fan.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pounds large spaghetti squash (about 4 1/2)
  • 1 pound bacon
  • 1/2 cup butter . cut into pieces (1 cube – 8 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Carefully cut stem end off of the spaghetti squash and discard. Cut squash into approximate 1″ rings, width-wise. With a spoon or tip of a knife, gently remove seeds and pulp from each ring; discard.
  3. Place spaghetti squash rings laying down on prepared baking sheet. Bake in oven for about 40-45 minutes or until strands separate easily when scraped with a fork.
  4. While the spaghetti squash is baking, cut your bacon into pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat, moving and turning frequently, until bacon is fully cooked and crispy. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon pieces from skillet and set aside.
  5. Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Remove shells of each ring and separate stands with a fork. Place strands in a large bowl.
  6. Add butter to your warm spaghetti squash (if your strands have cooled too much, heat in the microwave a bit) and toss with the strands until the butter is fully melted and incorporated. Stir in parmesan cheese and bacon crumbles. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Notes

–Due to variances in size of the spaghetti squashes and the amount of strands you get from your squash, please feel free to adjust the measurement of the ingredients to your personal taste.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: low carb, keto, parmesan cheese, 4 ingredients, easy recipe, winter squash,

Recipe Card powered byBacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe (7)

I’m sharing myBacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash recipe as part of the #12Bloggers event. Each month, myself and 11 other bloggers get together and create our own favorite recipe, based on a common theme — using 12 or less ingredients and always posting on the 12th of the month.

Since my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, I’m the host of November. And since side dishes are my favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal,I decided to go with the theme “Thanksgiving Side Dishes”.

More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes:

Bacon-Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to cut spaghetti squash in half before cooking it? ›

You need to cut your spaghetti squash in half before cooking it. Don't let spaghetti squash's hard shell scare you!

How do you keep spaghetti squash from getting soggy? ›

  1. You asked “How do you get your spaghetti squash to be more like pasta and less mushy?”
  2. Easy! And I do it often. ...
  3. Like most answers here have said: cut it in half long way. Remove seeds and coat the inside with olive oil. ...
  4. Remove and cool. Pull out the 'spaghetti' with a fork and lay it out on the roasting tray.
Aug 10, 2018

How do you soften spaghetti squash to make it easier to cut? ›

To soften spaghetti squash for cutting, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pierce the squash several times with a fork, then microwave it for about 4-5 minutes to soften the skin. Alternatively, place the whole squash in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This makes cutting easier.

Should you cook squash cut side up or down? ›

I personally prefer to roast my butternut squash with the cut-side-up. In my opinion, roasting it cut-side-up allows for the butternut squash to caramelize, rather than just steam and cook.

Can I save half of an uncooked spaghetti squash? ›

Keep the pieces refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Because the squash is cut open, it won't stay good as long as a whole squash would. Your squash pieces will stay fresh in the refrigerator until they've been in there for 5 days or longer.

How to cook spaghetti squash without it getting watery? ›

I find that adding too much oil and too much salt at this stage makes the squash a bit watery, so a light drizzle and a light sprinkle will do. Then, poke a few holes in the skin of the squash with a fork and place it cut side down on a baking sheet. Pop it in a pre-heated 400°F oven.

Should spaghetti squash be crunchy when cooked? ›

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands. You can also taste it right now — if the noodles are still a bit crunchy for your taste, put the squash back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes more.

Why did my spaghetti squash turn to mush? ›

It's easy to end up with mushy spaghetti squash noodles. Here are some tips to avoid this! Don't overcook them – This is the #1 reason that noodles become a mushy, watery mess!

Why can't i cut into my spaghetti squash? ›

Spaghetti squash can be tough to cut raw. The outside is hard and the raw flesh can be a bit of a challenge to work through. To safely cut into a squash (spaghetti or another kind), you need to make sure you have a nice sharp knife and a flat, stable work surface to cut on.

Why does spaghetti squash make me so full? ›

Spaghetti squash is a low-calorie food. Its fiber content makes it filling. Since people use it as a substitute for high-calorie foods, it can be a valuable part of a weight-control regimen.

How to cure spaghetti squash? ›

Once you harvest spaghetti squash, if you want to store it for any length of time, you need to cure it. To cure spaghetti squash, simply let it sit in a sunny spot for 10 days.

How many spaghetti squash does one plant produce? ›

This spaghetti squash variety has a vining growth habit that produces 10-15 bright yellow fruits per plant.

Can you eat an unripe spaghetti squash? ›

I've eaten at that stage -- you may or may not have to peel, depending upon how hard the rind is. I generally would remove seeds, cut into cubes or slices, sprinkle with seasoning mix, drizzle with oil, and roast in a hot oven (about 400) until cooked through and somewhat browned on the edges.

Are you supposed to cut spaghetti in half? ›

Silvia explained how you should cook spaghetti and the best way to eat it. “Unless you are using your long strands as an addition to a soup, you should never break them so they fit in the pan more easily. Just use a bigger pan,” she said. The long strands can hold sauce more efficiently compared to shorter ones.

Is it okay to eat a whole spaghetti squash? ›

Cutting a spaghetti squash can be hazardous because the shell is so hard. For that reason, some people roast them whole in the oven. You can also cook a whole spaghetti squash in a pressure cooker or a slow cooker with a little water.

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