Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Bake

Well, I am posting this recipe but I have to say that as usual I am not wildly impressed by spaghetti squash. It is one of those things that sounds like such a good idea but rarely lives up to the hype. I have had some that worked well, but usually it is a little softer and mooshier than it should be and so it proved to be this time, as usual. Never mind; add enough cheese and no-one will complain.

I have you cook the entire spaghetti squash here, as you will need both sides of the rind, even though half of the squash gets saved for some other nefarious purpose. I shall reveal mine in the fullness of time.

It seems like a heck of lot of time to make this, and it is. The good news is that most of that time is spent with the squash sitting in the oven, and even better is that it can be broken up over 2 days. Once you have the squash cut in half - the hardest part of this recipe by far - it is all very easy and little actual work. 

2 servings
2 3/4hours - 30 minutes prep time
not including cooking the broccoli or spinach

Cook the Spaghetti Squash:
1 medium spaghetti squash
2 teaspoons mild vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Cut the squash in half from the stem end to the blossom end. A very large, sharp knife will be required for this. Scoop out the seeds and soft material surrounding them with a spoon and discard them. Rub the squash over the cut edges with the oil.

Place the squash face-down on a baking tray and bake until the flesh is tender and will form strands when scraped with a fork. I have found the time needed for squash quite variable, but expect between an hour and an hour and a half.

Stuff and Bake the Squash Again:
2 cups blanched broccoli
OR 1 cup cooked spinach
2 to 3 cloves of garlic
1 green onion
OR 1/4 cup minced chives
1/2 cup 10% cream
1 teaspoon arrowroot or cornstarch
1 cup grated old Cheddar cheese
OR other strongly flavoured cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Have the broccoli or spinach prepared. This is an excellent opportunity to use up some leftover vegetables. Chop to broccoli into smallish florets, or shred the spinach finely.

Peel and mince the garlic. Wash, trim and mince the green onion or chives. Mix them in a mixing bowl with the cream, starch, and 2/3 of each of the cheeses. Mix the remaining cheeses together and set aside.

When the squash is ready, cool enough to handle, use a fork to pull the strands from the rind. Keep the rind in good condition. Be careful. The rind is a bit fragile and easy to tear. (Or they can be cooked the day before and brought up to room temperature before removing the strands.) Set half the squash strands aside to use for another purpose.

Mix the remaining strands with the vegetables, cream, and cheese. Divide the mixture equally between the 2 half rinds, and place them in a snug baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over them. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.




Last year at this time I made Ginger & Dried Fruit Fruitcake. 

Posted in: Ontario Food