Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

When my mom emailed me a recipe using spaghetti squash as the base for an au gratin dish I knew I wanted to try it soon. I'd never eaten this particular type of squash before but I've always been interested in how it plays in dishes in place of pasta. I made this exact dish the week before using rotini pasta and loved it. Spaghetti squash won't satisfy your craving for carbs but it's a great alternative for a healthier meal.

The term Au Gratin can be intimidating if you don't know what it means but it's simply a dish that is topped with cheese and breadcrumbs and baked. They even sell gratin dishes to bake goodness in, and they are awesome, but since I don't own one I'll use my trusty pyrex.


1 medium spaghetti squash
3 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
 1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup fresh spinach
1 cup roasted red pepper coulis
1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pulp. You can save the seeds to roast later for a healthy snack. Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

While the squash is roasting thinly slice onions and heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and add onions when butter begins to bubble. Add red pepper and thyme and saute until onion begins to brown.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Using a fork scrape out the insides of the squash and place in a medium bowl. Add onions, yogurt, and 1/4 cup cheese, spinach, and toss to combine.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in small pan, add panko and stir to combine, set aside.

Place squash mixture in a buttered baking dish and evenly distribute roasted red pepper coulis. Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over squash and gently flatten with a spoon. Top with remaining cheese and panko bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown on top.  Place under the broiler for no more than 2 minutes to brown crust if desired.