These Spaghetti Squash Boats are super easy and delicious! I mean seriously, Parmesan Cheese, Bacon, Toasted Walnuts and Spinach? Who wouldn’t like them?……….
A few weeks ago, I made these for friends who came over. Now, granted, I probably should have stuck with canned corn, but I decided to be brave!
Anyone who knows me knows I would not be caught dead serving canned corn to guests. This particular weekend I had a couple with their two children. The Mom and I texted back and forth because her family has some particularly picky eaters. We decided that her whole gang liked chicken, so I ran with that.
Now I just had to come up with some sides. Mind you, I wanted to roast the chickens on the grill since it had been 80°F the prior weekend, but alas, it ended up being 50°F with a stiff Northwest wind coming directly off of frigid Lake Ontario. So, go to plan “B”. One in the oven (we needed the heat anyway), one in the slow cooker.
I do digress, back to the squash. I had a beautiful spaghetti squash in the frig, so I thought, well, if I put enough cheese and bacon in the squash, maybe someone would eat it!
This squash was simply amazing! Even the Dad, who is one of the picky eaters (as far and veggies and fruits go) loved it! Score!
The other added bonus? It only about 20 minutes active time! Couldn’t be easier! I even bought another squash this week so I could make it again! Her is another quick and easy vegetable side, Broccoli Salad!
Due to my background in horticulture, I had several readers request a tutorial on Vegetable Gardening. So if you have interest in the subject, these posts are packed full of information about how to get that big harvest by the end of the season! Don’t miss my How to Start a Garden Series! The first part is Planning Your Garden! Second is Preparing the Garden Site. The third is Choosing Plants and Planting Your Garden. The fourth is Garden Maintenance, and the last is Harvesting a Garden and Preserving the Harvest, this post has over 100 FREE recipes for preserving your harvest!
Give it a try and let me know what you think. Tag #binkysculinarycarnival with your pictures and post it on line!
Likes, Comments, Follows will help me keep Binky’s Culinary Carnival afloat! Thanks for helping! Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Parmesan, Spinach, Bacon Spaghetti Squash Boat
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 c Parmesan cheese
- 6 oz pkg. baby spinach
- 4 slices bacon
- 1/2 c onion, diced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 c. walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half.
- Place cut side down on a baking tray. Bake for 40-50 minutes until soft.
- Meanwhile slice bacon width wise into strips. Add to a frying pan and saute' until the bacon is crispy and brown. Then remove bacon to a paper towel and drain.
- Saute' onion until translucent in a tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add garlic and saute' until soft.
- Allow squash to cool enough for you to handle. Once squash is cool shred with two forks to form the 'spaghetti'.
- Once you remove the squash, toast the walnuts in the oven for about 5 minutes, turn and toast another 5 minutes.
- Mix spaghetti, and all the rest of the ingredients, except nuts in a large bowl.
- Once mixed, place the squash mixture in one side of the squash skin.
- Bake squash long enough to heat through, about 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the toasted walnuts and serve hot.
Nutrition
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Elaine
Yummy. I love all the different ways we can eat spaghetti squash. This version looks so yummy Beth!! Great recipe!
Binky
Thank you, Elaine! You’re the best, my friend!!
Platter Talk
Beautiful recipe! Going to try this recipe ASAP. The ingredient and flavor combos are great.
Binky
Thank you Dan! I appreciate the five star review, too!
Oriana from Mommy's Home Cooking
Spinach and bacon? That sounds like an amazing combination! I love spaghetti squash so I am bookmarking your recipe to try soon.
Binky
Thank you for your comment, Oriana! Shoot me a picture when you try it!
Kristina - Love & Zest
This looks amazing. I can already tell this is going to be a great weeknight dinner addition!
Binky
It is very tasty and certainly easy enough for a weeknight. The squash can be microwaved too to speed that process up!
Iryna
You can’t go wrong with this combination of ingredients. Looks like a really delicious meal.
Binky
That is very true, Iryna! How can you go wrong with bacon and cheese!
Marianne | Basil & Bubbly
Although I’d definitely eat spaghetti squash “plain” ( which really translates to cooked with a little EVOO and salt and pepper haha ), you’re absolutely right about the bacon and cheese — even my husband would it it like that! YUM!
Binky
I to would eat it ‘plain’ but it is really good like this! Thanks, Marianne!
Rebecca
love everything in these boats! YUM!
Binky
Thanks,Rebecca! I do too, but the sum of the parts is fantastic!
Lindsay Cotter
This looks so delicious! I would totally enjoy this even as a main dish besides being a great side dish! You can never go wrong with cheese and bacon filled veggies! hehe
Binky
Excellent point! It totally ruins the health food aspect of the vege but you still can’t beat it! 🙂 Thanks Lindsay!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I love this type of squash. Lots of delicious flavours stuffed in here. Great for dinner any night of the week, and hey make lots for leftovers too.
Binky
Leftovers are key! I love not having to cook the next night! Thanks Gloria!
Kathi
Spaghetti squash is a new fave around here…and with bacon? yes please!
Binky
True, Kathi. How can you go wrong with bacon?
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Always looking for more spaghetti squash recipes!
Binky
Thanks, Lindsay! I love to cook spaghetti squash too!
Ellen
This looks delicious and so very flavorful. I love the addition of the walnuts. Add for a great texture.
Binky
Thanks, Ellen! The walnuts gave it a great crunch and nutty flavor, lol!
Shumaila
Love the idea of that filling- no wonder the picky eaters also loved it!
Binky
Yes, they are a hard bunch to please! Thanks for your comment, Shumailia!
Quinn Caudill
Wow this must be bursting with flavor. What great way to eat squash!
Binky
It is very tasty! Thank you for your comment, Quinn!
[email protected]
I’ve always been a little on the fence about spaghetti squash. It’s ok, but it doesn’t blow me away. Now, adding cheese and bacon (and spinach, because I love spinach)? THAT’S got me interested. Sounds like an amazing recipe!
Binky
I agree Sean, It’s rather flavorless without the cheese, bacon and spinach! Or drowned in sauce! Thanks for your comment!
Gabby
You know I love this one! I’ve made it more than once now given we’re heading into winter and I love it more every time. So does my husband and I practically have to sneak vegetables into him!
Binky
Haha! I have to do the same with mine! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing on Facebook and Instagram, too, Gabby!
Patty
Yum! Looks so tasty and full of flavors, Oh I’m so hungry right now, feed me Beth! 🙂