Pizza Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Pizza, spaghetti, and squash? Sounds unlikely, but wait for the explosion of flavor when you try this surprisingly easy pizza stuffed spaghetti squash!

Whenever I see this photo of pizza stuffed spaghetti squash, remembering how tasty it is, I’m immediately craving it. You guys are going to love this easy-to-make recipe!

And it’s so good for you: baked squash, spinach and cheese, and saucy red tomato goodness, topped with more veggies (mushrooms, onions, peppers). Think of all those antioxidants, beta carotene, and fiber waiting to energize you!

If you have a busy family with lots of school activities, sporting events, and whatever, it just seems like the time flies. Isn’t it difficult to squeeze in time to prepare healthy meals for your family? I know it is for me!

Well, good news! This pizza stuffed spaghetti squash has all the elements needed for a family-friendly meal. Most kids like pizza and/or pasta, right? Even my picky eaters will always eat these favorites. They love pizza quesadillas, homemade pizza hot pockets, and pizza mac and cheese muffins.

But pasta and pizza crust aren’t always the most healthy thing to serve. Although they’re fine once in a while, why not try something a little more nutritious, like this spaghetti squash? 

My mom and I enjoyed this for lunch awhile back. My mom was sort of lukewarm to the idea and said she would probably only eat a small portion. Well, it didn’t take long for the entire half on her plate to disappear!

About This Recipe

This recipe is a two step process. The spaghetti squash is halved and baked in the oven. You can even do this in the morning or the day before to save time at meal time.

Once the squash is baked, it’s time to top it. Another reason that pizza stuffed spaghetti squash is popular with families is that it can be made to order. Encourage your family to be creative and use the toppings they like best on pizza.

Once everyone has just the “pizza” they like, pop the halves back in the oven for a few minutes to broil until piping hot and dinner is served! It doesn’t get better than that! 

And you know what else is cool about this recipe? You serve it right in the squash shell!

I’ll get you started on making your own pizza squash right here and give you lots of helpful tips. Look for the recipe card near the end of the post. It has complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information. And it’s printable!

What You’ll Need

• Spaghetti Squash: Look for a medium sized squash without any soft spots or blemishes. Can you eat spaghetti squash skin? This oval yellow squash is a winter squash, meaning that the outside skin is tough and inedible (it makes a dandy bowl, though!).
• Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper: The cut sides of the squash are brushed with a bit of oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before baking.
• Baby Spinach: Tender baby spinach leaves add so much nutrition but they are very unobtrusive if you have family members who are on the fence with spinach.
• Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite brand or make your own homemade pizza sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Because this is a pizza squash, of course you’ll top it with a couple handfuls of cheese!
• Optional Toppings: Top your squash pizzas with the same toppings you love on your pizza: mushrooms, onions, sliced olives, green peppers, pepperoni, etc.

How To Make Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

The first step is to bake the squash halves with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, placing them cut side down on a baking sheet for 35 to 40 minutes. If you’ve never cooked this type of squash, we have a post detailing how to make spaghetti squash. In the meantime, enjoy a cup of coffee and snack on a few of these olive oil roasted almonds. 

When the spaghetti squash halves are fork tender, take them out of the oven, flip them over, and loosen up the strands with a fork. 

Mix some lightly sautéed spinach leaves with the strands, pizza sauce, a good sprinkling of mozzarella cheese, and top it all with sliced green pepper, mushrooms, and onions.

At this point, it could be a vegetarian dish, but I like to place a few pepperoni slices on top. Pop them under the broiler for a few minutes until everything is heated through. 

We love them and I’m sure you will too!

FAQs

Make It Your Own

As I mentioned earlier, you can personalize this recipe to make it just the way you like!

• Looking for a meatless main dish? Leave off the pepperoni. Or if you love meat, add sausage, ham, bacon, or even chicken. 
• Use whatever toppings you normally eat on pizza! Think olives, anchovies, red peppers, broccoli, etc. along with the mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. Or change up the cheese, maybe adding Monterey jack or cheddar, or even gorgonzola. 
• You can vary the sauce. Make a barbecue chicken pizza with barbecue sauce, cooked chicken, bacon, red onions, and cheddar.
• On a vegan or paleo diet? Omit the mozzarella and use a cheese substitute made from cashews, almonds, or hemp seeds.  
• This recipe is also keto friendly if you use a pizza sauce without added sugar.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Bake the spaghetti squash halves earlier in the day or even a day ahead. Just refrigerate them until you’re ready to use them. When you’re ready, take the baked squash out of the fridge, put it right back on the baking sheet, cut sides up, and heat in the oven for 15 minutes or so while you get the toppings ready. Take them back out of the oven, put your toppings on, and broil for another 5 minutes or so, or until bubbling and hot.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Leftover stuffed spaghetti squash can be covered and refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat it in the microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer until warmed through.

If you prefer, scrape everything out of the squash shell (including the strands of squash) and serve the “pizza spaghetti” in a pasta bowl.

More Squash Recipes

• Acorn squash (two ways: savory and sweet)
• Stuffed acorn squash with sausage and apples (another main dish squash recipe)
• Spicy sweet roasted butternut squash (with video)
• Kabocha squash soup
• Roasted acorn squash with spiced yogurt sauce
• Copycat Panera squash soup recipe
• Spaghetti squash with chickpeas and kale by Love & Lemons
• Lemon pesto spaghetti squash also by Love & Lemons