Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Spaghetti Squash Boats

Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Spaghetti Squash Boats make a great vegetarian meal or side dish, packed with garlicky cauliflower and cheesy goodness.

Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Spaghetti Squash Boats are a fun way to change up the way you eat your veggies. I did some double roasting here and let the cauliflower roast while the squash cooked and then mixed it all together.

I had my students do a little research about the benefits of eating “5 a day” because I think people forget the basics. A lot of us should be eating more than just 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day but that is a good guideline to start with, especially if you are not meeting that goal.

It’s no surprise that plant based diets are extremely healthful and even if you aren’t ready to give up animal products 100% (I know am not), then you can feel good knowing that an increase in your fruit and veggie intake can have great health benefits.

Some of the benefits of eating more plants and less meat, include: reduction in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, certain cancers, heart disease risk and they have even shown those who eat more plants are happier.

When fall comes around every year, I can’t get enough squash and brussels sprouts. Typically roasted, sometimes in soup form. Spaghetti squash is one of my favorites because it’s easy (no major chopping like with butternut squash) and there is a ton to do with it. Turn it into a lasagna dish, use it like pasta, or simply toss it with some pesto.

With that being said, sometimes I wonder if the risks of one losing a finger cutting a squash health outweigh the health benefits of said squash. It’s a toss up I think. But that won’t stop me from eating it! So be careful, but go on and try some new veggies like these spaghetti squash boats.

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Looking for other squash recipes?

• Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberries, Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze
• Vegan Pesto Spaghetti Squash
• Kabocha Squash with Cinnamon and Coconut Oil
• Kale and Butternut Squash Frittata {Meatless Monday}
• Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

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Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Spaghetti Squash Boats

 

Print

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

55 mins

 

Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Spaghetti Squash Boats make a great vegetarian meal or side dish, packed with garlicky cauliflower and cheesy goodness.

Author: Melanie F. | Nutritious Eats

Recipe type: Vegetarian

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• ½ head of cauliflower, separated into florets and then roughly chopped into smaller pieces.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• few shakes of the dried herbs: dried oregano, basil and parsley
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (3 lb) spaghetti squash
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon of each: dried oregano, basil and parsley (or can sub ¾ teaspoon of Italian seasoning)
• 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese, divided
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• fresh basil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grab two baking sheets. Line one with foil and set aside. To help soften squash, microwave it for ~3 minutes before cutting. Rub squash halves with olive oil (about 1 tablespoon), salt, pepper and the dried herbs. Place cut side down on the foil lined sheet and roast for 35 minutes.
2. On a cookie sheet, add cauliflower, 1 tablespoon olive oil, red pepper flakes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and add a few shakes of the same herbs: dried oregano, basil and parsley. Roast cauliflower for 20 minutes. Add garlic to tray, the last 10 minutes.
3. When squash is done, using a fork scarp the squash to release the strands. Mix in half the cauliflower to each squash boat, add ½ cup shredded cheese and 2 tablespoons of parmesan to each half and gently fold into the squash and cauliflower mixture. Place back in the oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Alternatively you can broil for a couple minutes if you prefer the cheese to be browned a little, but keep a close eye on them. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.
4. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil and enjoy!

Notes

You can also spoon in some marinara sauce.

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