Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. I am continuing to crave and cook with seasonal foods and this week that is Spaghetti Squash. Now that the weather is finally turning cooler, I am craving some heartier dishes. Today I’ve taken one of my favorite comfort foods, Mac n Cheese, and made it a little healthier by subbing pasta for spaghetti squash. This Spaghetti Squash Mac N Cheese is creamy and cheesy and everything you love about mac n cheese.
Spaghetti Squash Mac N Cheese
Spaghetti Squash is one of my favorite veggies all year around but it’s especially good this time of year. I love my carbs as much as the next girl, but probably wouldn’t be a great idea for me to eat pasta everyday. Spaghetti squash is the perfect substitute as it’s so versatile and easy to make.
I like to microwave my spaghetti squash to save time. It’s really simple:
-Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds
-Place flesh side down in a casserole dish, add 1 inch of water and cover with plastic wrap
-Microwave until “spaghetti” easily comes out with a fork
I’ve used this basic cheese sauce recipe for years for my kids and now I’ve adapted it to become a healthier option. A sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon gives a great pop of flavor and contrast to the sharp cheddar cheese. I used good old skim milk but you could sub with soy or almond milk as well.
Hope you enjoy my healthier spin on a classic family meal!
Spaghetti Squash Mac n Cheese Meatless Monday
Ingredients
- For the cheese sauce:
- 2 1/4 C skim milk (or milk of choice) warmed for 30 sec in microwave
- 2 Tbl flour
- 1 Tbl butter
- salt, pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- squirt of siracha
- 2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- other ingredients:
- 1 large spaghetti squash-halved, seeded and cooked
- 1 C chopped broccoli
- 2 Tbl panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti squash and remove "spaghetti" to a large bowl
- set aside
- In a medium skillet, make a roux:
- Melt butter on medium heat, add in flour and whisk for 1 min
- It will be lumpy
- Slowly add in milk while continuing to whisk
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, siracha
- reduce heat to low and whisk until thick about 5 min
- Add in cheddar cheese and stir to combine
- Transfer cheese sauce into bowl with squash and combine
- Add in broccoli
- Evenly distribute spaghetti back to the squash rinds
- sprinkle bread crumbs on top
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20 min, broil for 2 min until browned on top
Does your family love mac n cheese? Have any fun spaghetti squash twists?
Loading InLinkz ...Also linking up with Autumn Produce Challenge
Blonds have more run, Masala girl travels & My uncommon everyday and Foodie FriDIY
YUM! Always such a great way to use spaghetti squash!
Thank you for hosting!
Thanks and thank you for joining
Yum! I am going to try making this for my kids!
Oh great hope they enjoy!
I micro my spag squash as well, but I just stab it like a potato and nuke it. Last night, though, I had one that had to be ovened. It took 8 minutes in the micro to be able to be cut, and then about 45 mins in the oven. It was HUGE
Some of them are really big yes! Enjoy
Perfect timing bc I have a spaghetti squash on my counter! Thanks!
Ah perfect hope you enjoy!
I have a big ‘ol spaghetti squash sitting in my pantry for a few weeks I NEED to use! This recipe is so different than anything I’ve tried with it!
Fabulous! Hope you enjoy it
I’m a fan of anything with cheese!! I am definitely saving this one for the future!! Thanks for sharing Deborah!!
Cheese makes everything taste better!
What a yummy recipe!!! I love the cheese sauce in this and that nutmeg. Good call! Thanks for hosting.
Thanks so much! The nutmeg is a great little flavor enhancer
What a genius idea- this looks delish!
Thanks! Thought it was delsih
Thanks! Thought it was delish hope you do too
I love spaghetti squash and I have a basic vegan cheese sauce that I can spice up for this! Sounds delicious!
You know I always think about you when I use cheese-I hope it works out
This looks delish! There are so many things you can do with this squash. This is the perfect time to start trying new recipes.
We just did stuffed spaghetti squash last night! I love those guys, and I really don’t miss the pasta. Lots of cheese is necessary!
I have been roasting my spaghetti squash in the oven again … can’t seem to get the timing right in the mike and I hate when they are wet. This looks nice!
Great tip! I have never made spaghetti squash in the microwave. Will have to try it next time. I am so boring with spaghetti squash, I usually just put marinara sauce and cheese on it. I like your twist on it.
I like it that way too but it’s always fun to mix it up!
Yum! I love spaghetti squash but never thought to try it with a cheese sauce. And I love that you put it back into the squash rinds to bake. It sounds delicious and pretty.
Hope you give it a try thanks!
Looks amazing Deborah! Love spaghetti squash and this is a great way to enjoy it! Happy Meatless Monday!
Thanks! It is very versatile isn’t it
I love this twist on the typical mac and cheese!
Thanks! I did too and have already had it twice
Love this idea! Now that squash season is here I need to start cooking! I think my boyfriend would love this!
Everyone loves mac n cheese!
YUM! I’ve made spaghetti squash into mac n cheese before and loved it! I’ll have to try your version next! 🙂
Oh, this sounds delicious – I’m a BIG fan of mac and cheese!
Me too! Hope you enjoy
I can’t wait to try this recipe- I just got a spaghetti squash and this looks perfect!
OH fabulous perfect timing!
Oh, I’d love this. The toasted bread crumbs are the perfect final touch!
They do add a nice little touch! Hope you enjoy
I love mac and cheese in any form! Love the idea of making it with spaghetti squash!!
Thanks so much! Mac n cheese is the best 🙂
This is such a fun way to some fall to your mac-n-cheese! An awesome meatless dish!
Thanks! I bet your kiddos would like it too
I’ve got a really good “low fat” 4 cheese mac and cheese that is a family favorite! I bet it would be good with spaghetti squash. But would my pasta loving family eat it? Hmmmm….
I think it’s worth a try!!
Oh My Gosh! How do you come up with this stuff? I don’t like traditional mac & cheese because I don’t like American cheese…but cheddar? Sold! I have not made spaghetti squash in a long time…looks like I need to get to the store 😉
OH I so wish you lived close enough to come for dinner! American cheese is for amateurs LOL
Some of these spaghetti squash recipes looks so good and I just can’t get myself in a place to try it again LOL! My grandmother made it for us repeatedly one year and it was never very tasty, but I imagine she wasn’t doing it properly. I’m committing to doing it.
Do it! Peer pressure 🙂 You won’t be disappointed
Wow! This sounds so good!!!! Definitely making this once I get settled in my new kitchen.
Great I hope you enjoy!
I’m always wanting to find and make a healthier version of mac n cheese. Especially for my daughters. This looks great! Thanks!
I really hope they enjoy it!
Awesome Meatless Monday recipe, looks so tasty!!
Thanks so much Abbey
I love spaghetti squash but I did not know I could cook it that easy in the microwave- thanks for the tip!
You definitely can and it’s a big time saver
Looks absolutely delicious! I love spaghetti squash!
Thanks it’s one of my faves too
OMG that looks amazing! I’m going to have to try it next week! Thanks for the share!
Thanks I hope you enjoy it too
Hooo boy. I am completely obsessed with stuffing spaghetti squash right now. Im’ throwing EVERYTHING into those things. But I loveeee me some mac and cheese and this is one I have yet to try. Such a great link up – thank you!
Thanks so much! So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy it
Omg my mouth is watering right now. And I was already hungry when I read this post. What did I just do to myself?!?
LOL hope you try it out
This sounds yummy! I love spaghetti squash, and I’m usually not very creative with it. Just bake, add salt and pepper, and eat! I’ll have to try this variation next time. 🙂
I really hope you like this twist it’s very tasty
Holy cow this looks awesome. I made one of your spaghetti squash recipes last fall and loved it. Think I may need to give this one a go. Thanks for sharing!!
I remember that! I hope you like this one too
pinned! definitely loving your recipes – as always! Just wish I wasn’t the only one enjoying them! My bf eats hotpockets and hates vegetables lol!
Ha ha I am often the only one eating them around here too
Looks so good! Mac & cheese is my absolute favorite but my belly hates pasta. Definitely going to try this!
Oh good! Hope you really enjoy it
This is really creative! I love squash and keep meaning to try spaghetti squash but I haven’t yet. And I don’t know why! lol!
Oh you must try it today!!
YUM! This recipe is right up my sleeve!
I love healthier versions of mac and cheese!
Pinning now!
Me too! Hope you and your family enjoy
Spaghetti Squash for the WIN! But seriously! That gourd is just so so so so so good!
I know really!
Oh my this looks fabulous. I pinned it and will try to make a dairy free version of it soon. We love spaghetti squash around here.
Let me know how that goes!
We don’t eat a whole lot of macaroni and cheese, but when we do, we go classic with a box of Kraft. Total treat!
LOL I have not had that in years!
This looks amaazing! I haven’t had spaghetti squash in so long as it’s so hard to find here, however, everytime we’re in the US I pretty much live off the stuff 😛
It’s very popular right now here!
I looooove spaghetti squash! It’s so versatile! We make it into lasagna a lot but this looks great too!
I like to do that too! It’s so versatile
That looks so cheesy! Yum!
I love cheese with everything!
Okay, this looks amazing. I would love to try a version with coconut milk and gf Breadcrumbs.
That should work!