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Spaghetti squash casserole is a healthy, gluten-free and low carb dinner, replacing traditional pasta casserole recipes. This easy gluten-free casserole recipe uses turkey sausage and mushrooms, making it a healthier version of baked ziti.
I’m sorry people. No matter what I do, I can’t make spaghetti squash casserole-type dishes look appetizing. One of the most delicious things I have ever made for dinner. But seriously, looks like a creature from the deep. It makes me think of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Did I say this last time? Same thing holds true with this recipe.
The other thing I can’t do is tell you that the whole family loved this. The Bug loathes spaghetti squash. He will eat anything covered in cheese. Anything except spaghetti squash. I baked it while he was at preschool and had it all scraped out and sitting in a bowl when he got home.
“Mom, what’s that yellow stuff?”
“Spaghetti squash casserole for dinner tonight.”
“Oh, I’m not eating dinner tonight.”
Awesome! And he didn’t really. Double awesome!
However, if you are going to let the review of a highly opinionated and stong-willed 3 1/2 year old influence your decision to try this spaghetti squash casserole, well, then I guess it’s appearance won’t change your mind. Hopefully this will – The Hubby, Smiles and I loved this Turkey Sausage and Mushroom Spaghetti Squash Casserole. Baby Smiles was wearing the stuff. ‘Nuff said. I mean, it’s like baked ziti, only with more flavor from the turkey sausage, more texture and meatiness from the mushrooms, and more veggies and less carbs and stuff because of the spaghetti squash. And then it’s made all creamy and gooey and cheesy with ricotta and mozzarella and Parmesan.
The other thing – this gluten-free spaghetti squash casserole recipe feeds, like, eight to ten people.
I started making it, got my little casserole dish out, and was like, “Umm, no.” So I broke out the 9×13 stoneware and it was perfect, except that it looked like I was cooking for wayyy more than my little family of four that includes an anti-spaghetti-squash member. Half of mine is still in the freezer, ready to break out on a busy night!
Annnnd, my new genius discovery – instead of breaking out the chainsaw to hack your spaghetti squash in half before you cook it in the oven or microwave, if you have the time, did you know you could just prick it with a fork and throw the whole thing in the oven or a pressure cooker?!?! Brilliant!
Is there one food that you just will not eat, regardless of how it is prepared?
Turkey Sausage & Mushroom Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 tsp olive oil
- half of a medium onion chopped
- kosher salt & pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- one pound hot Italian turkey sausage removed from its casings
- one 10 oz. package mushrooms sliced
- one 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes I use Tuttorosso, which has a little basil in it, so if you use a brand without basil, you may want to add a little fresh or dried
- one 15 oz. container ricotta cheese I used part skim
- 1 cup about 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the spaghetti squash by following these instructions or these instructions for cooking in the oven or these instructions for cooking in the microwave.
- Scrape out the “noodles” into a large bowl using a fork and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until onion starts to soften and become translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
- Add the turkey sausage to the skillet, and cook until nearly cooked through, crumbling it as it cooks.
- Then add the mushrooms and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and heat through for a minute or two.
- Combine the sauce and the spaghetti squash, and transfer to a 9/13 casserole or glass baking dish.
- Place dollops of ricotta over the top of the spaghetti squash mixture and stir in partially.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan and bake for 25-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and lightly browned, and casserole is heated through.
- Let sit for 5 minutes or so before serving.
Categories:
Enjoy!
Want some more casserole recipes?
Make sure you check out 12 of the Best Spaghetti Squash Recipes So Good You’ll Forget About Pasta!
And here are some from my friends…
- Cheesy Tomato Casserole from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole from girlichef
- Chicken & Summer Vegetable Rice Casserole from Pink Parsley
Awesome recipe. Just need to know when you freeze it do you bake it first?
With traditional baked pasta recipes you can usually do either, but in this case I recommend baking it first, but don’t let it get fully browned on top.
Where is the recipe???
Kathleen, the recipe is on the second page of the post. There is a link to click at the bottom of the first page. Here’s the link for you: https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/turkey-sausage-mushroom-spaghetti-squash-casserole/2/
I have scrolled through the page from top to bottom over and over but I just cannot see the recipe.
I’m sorry you had difficulty seeing the recipe, Kathleen. There’s a large font at the bottom of the post that says “CLICK TO CONTINUE READING”. If you click that, it will take you to the recipe. 🙂
Believe me. I clicked that. I searched high and low for the recipe. I even clicked on Get Ingredients, but that’s something else. Thanks anyway for replying.
the link no longer seems to be working. I would have made this for dinner if the recipe were visible somewhere
I’m so sorry that you had trouble finding the recipe, Ann.
I make zucchini lasagna (zucchini cut lengthwise in place of the pasta) all the time like this & the other night i made zucchini baked spaghetti. I have a veggetti (walmart) & you put your veggie in & turn till it makes strings like pasta. I love it & all my kids loved it also, although they are not super picky. I like spaghetti squash but my kids are not in love with it. I also make cauliflower pizza (cauliflower crust) which bbq chicken, bacon, & cheese is everyone’s favorite in my house 🙂
Finally made this tonight and it was fantastic! My husband loves spaghetti squash, but I’ve never been a fan. Every now and then, I make it for him, but this is the first time I’ve ever enjoyed it! In fact, I had three servings (yikes). So glad I found this on Pinterest. Thank you!
Oh yay! So glad you found it, made it, and loved it!
What size squash did you use pound wise?
Hmm, not sure. It wasn’t one of those small, more round, about 6-8 inch ones, but it wasn’t huge. Darn, should have thrown it on the scale!
wow! I don’t know if my fellas would eat spaghetti squash, either… “We are noodle folk” is what they always say. 🙂
As long as I tell the hubby we are having spaghetti squash and don’t try to pass it off as noodles, he likes it. The 3 year old will just have to deal 🙂
I love spaghetti squash and this is such a creative casserole! I love it! What a great use of this month’s ingredients. This sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely be making this soon.
Thanks Kate!
I’ve been wanting to try spaghetti squash but I haven’t found it where I live. Right now I am visiting my daughter in Providence and I picked one up in the grocery store last night. Can’t wait to try your recipe! I’ll have to adapt because she’s vegetarian but I think I can use some of those Smart Sausages since they have an Italian style recipe and it’s actually tasty.
Oh you have to try spaghetti squash. I really enjoy it prepared many ways!
I recently tried spaghetti squash for the first time and my family liked it, so I will have to add this into the rotation. Yummy!
It is a great veggie! Enjoy!
I love casseroles- great idea of a way to use spaghetti squash. Looks good!
Thanks Karen! Casseroles are always great!
This looks wonderful! I love the mozzarella and ricotta together. Two of my favorites!
Yes, they do work well together. Thanks!
This looks so doggone good – I love sausage and mushrooms together so this would hit the spot right now!
Sausage and mushrooms do go so well together.
I love spaghetti squash, too. Most of my kids will eat it in casserole form, it’s just when I leave it plain and then try to top it with a sauce that they start asking where the real pasta is hiding. Hopefully your little guy will change his mind with time. Then again, my 15 year old still won’t touch a mushroom, even when there is bribery involved.
I’m hoping I can bring him over to my side one day!
What a great way to cook with spaghetti squash, love it!
Thanks so much! We love it in a baked “pasta” dish (well, except that pesky 3 year old).