Do you remember the first time you tried spaghetti squash (if ever)?
I do. I was in college and my mom, sister, and I were all under the same roof. It was the height of “low carb” mania, which I never much subscribed to, but my mom was super into the idea of having pasta-free spaghetti, so we gave it a shot.
Much to my surprise, I actually really liked it. The texture of spaghetti squash is tender and the flavor is subtle, lending itself extremely well to pasta sauce and pesto.
I still don’t buy into the low-carb thing, because, bread. But I am a fan of eating more vegetables whenever possible. So, spaghetti squash pasta it is!
This recipe is simple, requiring just 9 ingredients. Plus, it comes together with minimal effort in about 1 hour!
My first idea was to make a white sauce, but it ended up being too heavy for the delicate texture of the squash. Back to the drawing board.
My second thought was to make a vegan pesto with sun-dried tomato, and I was so happy with the results! This pesto is full of flavor and distributes beautifully throughout the “noodles,” for a light-yet-satisfying dish.
You know it’s a success when you go in for a sample bite, and it’s so good you just sit down and call it a meal.
I hope you all love this dish. It’s:
Savory
Simple
Light
Satisfying
Loaded with flavor
& Perfect for fall
This would make the perfect quick weeknight meal when you’re craving something comforting but not too heavy. It generously serves two as an entrée (with nearly 11 grams protein!) or four as a side dish.
If you’re looking for extra staying power, pair the squash with my chickpea bolognese instead! I can’t even explain how delicious that combo would be.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with.
For more sun-dried tomato and basil goodness, check out our Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Pesto Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Vegan Meatballs, and Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Pinwheels. Cheers, friends!
Spaghetti Squash Pasta with Basil Pesto
Ingredients
PASTA
- 1 large spaghetti squash
PESTO
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (or raw walnuts)
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 2 cups fresh basil (packed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced // ~1 1/2 Tbsp as original recipe is written)
- 3 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes (chopped // if in oil, drain)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
FOR SERVING optional
- Toasted pine nuts
- Vegan parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a large baking sheet (or more if increasing batch size) with foil.
- Carefully halve spaghetti squash lengthwise using a sharp knife. I find the best way is to pierce the skin with the very tip of the knife and push it all the way through to the other side. Rock the knife back and forth to cut one half all the way through, then repeat on the other side. Use an ice cream scoop (or sharp spoon) to scrape out the seeds and most of the stringy parts.
- Brush the interior with oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Place cut-side down on baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces the skin and flesh. Remove from oven and set aside.
- In the meantime, add cashews, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, and sea salt to a blender or food processor and pulse until a fine meal.
- Add basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and olive oil and puree into a fine paste. If it has trouble mixing, add a bit more oil or hot water (2-3 Tbsp // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) to help encourage it along. It doesn’t need to be finely pureed, just well-mixed. A bit of texture is a good thing in this dish. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Use a fork to scoop out spaghetti squash into fine strings and divide between serving plates. Top with desired amount of pesto and lightly toss.
- Serve with additional toppings as desired (listed above). I prefer red pepper flakes and vegan parmesan cheese.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, though best when fresh. Pasta can be enjoyed hot, chilled, or at room temperature.
Notes
*Recipe inspired by my Sun-dried Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta, and loosely adapted from Simply Recipes.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional toppings.
Liza says
Love this recipe! Taste soo good and so easy and simple. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy this one, Liza. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Diane says
Can someone let me know where all the carbs come from? I thought this would be a great dish for our “trying to be as keto as we can” diet.
Hi Diane, the carbs are primarily from the spaghetti squash, but also some from the sun-dried tomatoes and other ingredients. We estimated that 1 large spaghetti squash yields 10 cups shredded squash, but if yours is on the smaller side, the carbs will be lower. Hope that helps!
Kristen says
Absolutely delicious! Definitely fulfilled the craving for an Italian-inspired meal without all the carbs of pasta!
One thing I would suggest is to say how much a “large spaghetti squash” weighs. When I switched to metric I could see it in grams and then I converted the grams to pounds (about 8 pounds). Would love if this was listed in the recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Kristen! Thanks so much for the lovely review and feedback. We’ll keep that in mind for the future.
Jasmine Alsakin says
Amazing! I loved the Pesto so much that I’ve been using it as staple in my kitchen now. So easy So satisfying.
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jasmine. Thanks for sharing! xo
Julene says
This was such a simple delicious meal to make!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Julene! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Sarah says
I made this with walnuts instead of pine nuts and minus the sundried tomatoes and it was a huge hit. So effortless and so, so good!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing!
Anonymous says
I have made this multiple times over the past couple of years. It is absolutely phenomenal. The pesto is perfect. I usually make it with pasta noodles instead of the spaghetti squash. Such a wonderful recipe!
Whoop! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Mariane Sfeir says
It’s the first time I ever cook a spaghetti squash and I checked over 10 vegan recipes before choosing one. This recipe attracted me most. First, because of the way it’s presented on the website, second, because the ingredients are basic and the steps are easy to follow, and last, because I love pesto!
The roasting time of the spaghetti squash was just perfect ! The dosing of the pesto sauce ingredients is also perfect !
Would definitely recommend it and do it again !
Thank you so much for sharing it !
Mariane
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Mariane! Thanks for sharing!
Beth says
Yum!!! I followed the recipe closely, but did top with sauteed portobello mushrooms instead of sun dried tomatoes and kalamatas. I have used nutritional yeast as a cheese sub before but have never liked it as much as I do in this recipe. The pesto is so delicious!!! The whole dish is a beautiful alternative to pasta with cheesy pesto. Thanks for a great plant-based dinner!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Beth! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Cheri Glaser says
It’s delicious!! I steamed the squash and added the pesto and it was very tasty. I did add a tsp. of lemon juice too. Just my preference. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Cheri
Thanks so much for sharing, Cheri! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Wendy says
So good!
Natalie says
Made the pesto with chicken and chickpea pasta and it turned out incredible!!!
Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Kathy says
Delicious recipe! Definitely a keeper! I can’t imagine ever eating spaghetti squash with a a tomato-based sauce again. The basil pesto complements the squash perfectly.
Yay! We’re glad to hear that, Kathy!
Ryan says
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I used hemp seeds instead of pine nuts in the pesto and it was still wonderful.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!
Pamela stephens says
Absolutely delicious!
Turia Stewart says
I just made this. It is amazing! Mine doesn’t look pretty like the picture, but it tastes amazing!
We are glad you enjoyed it, Turia!
Leanna, long time vegetarian says
Delish! I confess that I cheated and made it using Costco’s (Kirkland) Pesto, but the whole thing is just awesome! And what takes it from good to out-of-this-world are the sun-dried tomatoes. So glad I came across this recipe. Thanks.
Lauren says
Pretty great recipe! I made it tonight and really liked it, I’ll definitely be adding this into the rotation. I followed it as written and it was very strong on the basil flavor for me so I’ll decrease it a little next time. I’m also not a huge fan of the sun dried tomatoes because they tend to add a bit too much sweetness for me. I also soaked the cashews before adding them in to decrease their starch content a little.
Overall it’s a hit recipe though! I’m new to nutritional yeast and nut-based sauces, and I was 100% baffled that this didn’t have cheese in it while I was gobbling it down. Seriously, if somebody else served this to me and said it was a creamy cheese marinara sauce, I’d believe it.
David Clanon says
Made it tonight with a few mods. prepared the spaghetti squash just as described. Then topped it with kalamata olives and roasted red peppers, parmesan and pesto from Costco. Moto easy and tasted great. Used a garlic infused olive oil. The squash was out of our own garden. Will definitely make it again!
Woot woot! Cooking is the best when you’re able to use fresh produce right from your own garden, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed this dish, David!
LaToya says
Hello! Is this recipe fitting for meal prep? I am wondering if it will get soggy throughout the week.
I wouldn’t personally recommend it for meal prep, as it is best fresh! It does keep for 2-3 days though!
Anna Jacqueline Parsons says
This was a delicious healthy meal!
The pesto is amazing, however I don’t like sundried tomato so I just left it out and it was still the best pesto I have ever made. Will 100% make again.
Julieta Adams says
Quick question: a serving is a one cup? That’s the measured?
Yes it is about 1 cup!
Lauren says
This is literally the best thing I have tasted. Made this tonight for dinner and omg I am in love! Thank you for a wonderful recipe
Yay! We’re so glad you love it!
Katie says
Girl! Holy pesto pants! This dish was incredible. I added lemon because I’m a lemon-freak, but followed the other directions step by step. My boyfriend and I were literally licking our bowls by the end of dinner. Thank you, Dana!!
Erin D says
I love love love trying new vegan recipes (especially ones involving pesto) and this was AWESOME
Alyssa Beltran says
I only had cilantro in the fridge, and I have a slight allergy to nuts—I used pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds and this pesto turned out great! Excited to eat this dish as leftovers!
Paola Espinoza says
Can the pesto be made in a vita mix?
Hi! That should work!
Stacy says
We’ve made twice this fall & it’s earned a place in meal rotations during squash season ~ it’s fresh, satisfying, healthy, beautiful, comforting, vegan. The pesto recipe is flexible & forgiving, as I eyeball the measurements & add/adjust ingredients to what’s on hand (add spinach when I don’t have enough basil/add more sun dried tomatoes plus their flavored oil instead of the olive oil, sub pistachios for pine nuts, etc. ~ so deliciously flexible!) So, thank you for creating/sharing this recipe ~ we also enjoy many other dishes from your cookbook + website!
Yasmeen Al-Aswad says
Absolutely loved it! I’ve never had spaghetti squash before and this was fantastic. I’ve tried a bunch of your recipes btw and I’m never disappointed. Thanks!!!
Monica says
Hi Dana,
I’ve just discovered your website and gone mad. What you do with food is just amazing, i mean genius. I love it, it is gluten free, sugar free at least the bad one, vegan, plenty of veggies, easy to make it. I just cant stop printing out the recipes. Thank you so much for creating it for us.
Christina says
Made this for me and my boyfriend tonight and we loved it!!!! My new favorite way to eat spaghetti squash!! :) seriously delicious
Jessica Timbrell says
I just made this and am eating in now. Omg!!!! Damn!!!!! Freaking delicious!! My kids are going to LOVE this. Fantastic and thank you so much!! I added more sun-dried tomatoes because I love them! I thought I didn’t like spagetti squash but you have converted me!! Perfect fall/winter dish. This is going in the rotation for sure!!
Nilsa says
I loved this pesto recipe so….so….so….much! Delicious! Your recipes never fail! They are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Nilsa says
I love this pesto so…..so…..so….much! Delicious! Your recipes never fail! They are amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Lena says
Made it tonight. It was the best pesto ever! Loved it very much! The whole dish was amazing! Excellent combo of spaghetti squash, delicious basil pesto, vegan parmesan cheese and pine nuts! Definitely 5 starts!!! P.S. Although I used only 1 clove of garlic. :)
Alyssa says
I followed this recipe to a “t” and it was awesome! I served it with garlic bread and a vegan chick’n patty. Thank you so so much!
Kathy says
5 star!!
Kathy says
Absolutely delicious!!! Quick and easy. The only thing I did different is cook the squash in the crock pot and a padded fresh tomatoes. Really good!!
Lynn says
Hi Dana,
I am not a great cook and I have a husband who dislikes most vegetables. Making a healthy and tasty meal is therefore somewhat of a challenge. I tried this recipe (First time I ate spaghetti squash and first time to make pesto). We both enjoyed it a lot, so I would like to thank you for that.
It is a stress free recipe, which matters quite a bit to me, often I have some serious time-management issues when I make dinner, but not with this recipe. The next time I have guests over for dinner, this is what they’ll get.
Thanks!
Katie says
Just made this tonight and it is AMAZING! This is the third recipe we’ve made this week and they have all been delicious…and I’m a terrible cook! :) Do you think next time we could sub coconut oil for olive oil without affecting the taste?
Sarah says
Just made this for my meat-eating parents and they LOVED it! Your recipes seem to be the only vegetarian ones that they’ll try
Mavis says
Is there a substitute for the sun dried tomatoes. Don’t have any on hand but would like to make this.
Christin says
I just wanted to say that I made this for last night’s dinner and it was SO good! I just love the simplicity of it. So easy yet so flavorful. Thanks so much =)
Laurie says
My son and I tried this for dinner tonight and it is amazing! Very delicious and pretty simple to make. It was a spaghetti squash first for both of us and I’ll definitely make it again (and again and again). Thank you for this recipe!
Oat&Sesame says
I think you convinced me to give spaghetti squash another try. It’s my least favorite squash, but I think it may redeem itself in this one!
You must! And if you like that one, you should definitely try the Squash Lasagna Bake!
Eva says
Hi Dana! I made this tonight for dinner & it was superb! My husband loved it! The pesto was pretty amazing! And I am not a huge pesto fan, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with YOUR variation :)
Thanks for another awesome dish!
Eva
Thanks Eva! So glad you both enjoyed it!
Becca says
This was absolutely delicious! First time making vegan pesto and first time eating spaghetti squash.
This was surprisingly filling and incredibly comforting even though I’ve never had this meal before. Hitting the comfort mark first taste is a huge win in my book. Thank you for your recipes!
Ah, thanks Becca! So glad you enjoyed it! xoxo
Ellie says
I have never been a fan of anything in the gourd family. I decided to try this recipe with the chickpea bolognse (how do you say bolognese?). As a kid we never had anything like this so, since becoming vegan I’m open to healthy alternatives to traditional favorites. And THIS is the stuff first time food experimenters love. This was such a successful meal with my sister…and the dogs (they loved the noodles). The chickpeas go wonderfully with this dish. I’m always looking for different alternatives to spaghetti noodles and this is definitely one to add. Fantastico!!
Sarah says
Made this last night! So delicious :D Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely be making this one again.
Alex says
How long will the pesto keep?
By the way my gf and I made this last week and it was incredible!!
Erika says
I tried this recipe for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING!! So delicious and such a great flavor with the addition of the tomatoes. I did not miss the cheese at all. Thanks again for another fantastic dish Dana!
Tvv1stedlog1c says
I made this last night for my meat/cheese-asaurous boyfriend and we LOVED it! The pesto is fantastic and the sundried tomatoes really kick it up a notch.
Alexis says
Oh. My. Word. I’m actually eating this right now and it’s amazing. My two-year-old is even devouring it. I’m making this as long as I can get spaghetti squash. Thank you thank you thank you.
Jan says
We tried this tonight and it was awesome. Even my one-year-old loved it! Thanks for the recipe. Will be using this quite a bit this season.
Lou says
This looked good in the picture but when I pulled together the pesto and put it on the squash it quickly formed an unappetizing lump. The nuts add a brown tinge that just doesn’t look as good when plated as a more traditional pesto with only a tablespoon or so of either walnuts or pine nuts. Also, I think a larger quantity of olive oil(at least twice what is called for) would make the pesto better.
Hmm, sorry about that! Pestos can vary based on what processor/blender you’re using. Definitely add more olive oil next time if it seems to help!
Michelle Savage says
This looks absolutely delicious, especially since fall is in the air and I’m in need of recipes using seasonal ingredients. Yummy!
Tori says
Delicious! Made it last night and it’s definitely going to be made again. Thanks for all the wonderful creations!
kris says
Love your blog and your recipes!!
Just wanted to ask…what plugin are you using for the comments? Thanks
See this page!
Liz says
Any tips to keep the squash from seeming “wet” if that makes sense…I used to make spaghetti squash a lot but the “noodles” often turned out too wet. Maybe it’s the steaming process?
Definitely roast at a high temp and don’t add any extra water. Once fully cooked, flip flesh side up and let steam escape (for 3 minutes), then use a fork to scrape out “noodles.” Hope that helps!
Sarah says
OK. So. Maybe I was so eager to try this recipe that I didn’t read all the instructions. Maybe I just threw all the pesto ingredients into a blender and went nuts on it before realizing that I had completely ignored the Dana-approved method to get a perfectly textured Dream pesto. Maybe what I ended up with was mo
Sarah says
*more like dip…
But DAMN was it good! Oh it was a happy and serendipitously simplifying mistake (as if this recipe weren’t already simple enough). I give this recipe one million stars for deliciousness and versatility YAY!
Whoop! Thanks, Sarah!
Monika says
I love the simplicity and the seasonal ingredients! And as always stunning photos!
Thanks Monika! xo
Deborah @ The Harvest Kitchen says
I love everything about this recipe!! Simple healthy ingredients = great flavors!!! Extra pesto for me!
Whoop! Hope you love it, Deborah!
Anna says
looks incredibe!! Absolutely need to try spaghetti squash <3
Jess says
This squash pasta looks really comforting for some reason. I’ve been cooking lots of soups lately because they are comforting and light at the same time. But I’ve had enough of them and I want something different, something light and fall appropriate. This looks perfect for the case. I’m giving this a go tomorrow, as soon as I’m done with the groceries.
xoxo
Kelley says
I haven’t had spaghetti squash in yeeears. I think just because I didn’t have a good knife and it was hard to cut? I’m grown up with better knives now, I gotta get on this!
Luda Cheremeteff says
Dana, I enjoy reading your posts. You are really passionate about your creations. It shows that you are blogging because you are truly a foodie. Every recipe I’ve tried – works deliciously. I used to be a vegetarian – still appreciate a good vegan creation. Can not wait to bake this squash!
Also thank you your great blogging tips as well – used them to create my newly born blog!
Tracy | Pale Yellow says
I’ve never thought about adding pesto to spaghetti squash, usually I just add marinara. This sounds great!
Cassie says
The spaghetti squash looks delicious–like an Italian delicacy!
Tirza says
This recipe inspired me to buy a spaghetti squash for the first time in my life to make this recipe. I liked the result, but the squash turned out rather mushy, not like spaghetti at all… oh well, the taste was great, though!
Meg says
This is a great dinner idea for tonight — thank you! I’ve had a lot of luck cutting the spaghetti squash into rings instead of in half (so just rotate the cut 90 degrees and do it multiple times). The spaghetti comes out in longer strands, and it cooks a bit faster.
Thanks for the tip!
Libby says
The first time that I ever had spaghetti squash as pastawas in Kansas City at a place called Cupinis. It was as simple as smearing marinara on 1/2 a squash and it was utterly life changing! I get excited every time that I see another recipe for a variation on this same theme!
What a great first experience! Hope you love this version, Libby!
Margaret @ Veggie Primer says
Looks delicious! Have you ever tried making spaghetti squash in a slow cooker? I find it to be any easy way to prepare it.
I don’t have a slow cooker, but that sounds dreamy!
wiredweirdly says
Have you ever tried slicing the squash into rings and roasting it that way? I’ve read that the strands are much longer that way… but the internet HAS been known to exaggerate, or so I’ve been told!
This does look amazing and will be tried soon!
I haven’t! It’s just too much slicing. ha! I’m lazy!
Sarah | Well and Full says
I don’t think I’ll ever give up real pasta either ;) I do love myself a good veggie noodle though!!
Oh no, never give up on the real thing. But sometimes, a veggie noodle does wonders! Glad you agree, Sarah ;D
Sarah says
Using spaghetti squash to make… spaghetti… why didn’t I think of that?! Haha.
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
I love the simplicity of this dish! I eat spaghetti squash like once a week and I need to try it with this pesto next time!
Dani Mendocha @ Styled Variety says
This looks absolutely perfect! I’ve been loving spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative these days, so this pesto version will be a great new recipe to try!
Yay! Let me know if you do, Dani!
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
Veggie pasta just means more garlic bread to go along with it ;)
wiredweirdly says
HA! I was thinking the exact same thing!
YESSS. You get me ;D
Sydney | Modern Granola says
I love veggie pasta for the same reason! More vegetables are never a bad idea. And this pesto sounds so incredible. Looks like I need to go to the store and pick up my first spaghetti squash of the season! (Yay!)
xx Sydney
DO IT. And let me know how it goes!
Emily | Robust Recipes says
Dana, I love eating spaghetti squash as if it were a pasta. In fact, I had a version yesterday for lunch. Great minds think alike, right?! ;) I haven’t tried pesto with spaghetti squash, but I just know it will be delicious! :)
You must! The textures work perfectly together! Hope you love it, Emily.
Mia says
I once read a tip for pesto that can be made in a blender but is closer to the italian original (which is ground, not chopped like in a blender and tastes much more basil-y and fresh). The trick is to put the basil leaves in a ziploc bag and pound them to crush them lightly. Then blend them with sll the other ingredients except the oil. Finally, mix in the oil by hand. It really does make a difference in flavor and texture!
Thanks for sharing the tip!
Samantha @ThePlantedVegan says
I’ve never tried pesto on spaghetti squash, most recipes have a tomato based sauce. I definitely will give this one a try! Looks delicious!
Amy | Foodetcaetera says
I really need to try these spaghetti squash…! ;) And this pesto recipe… WOW!
Amy
Kristina says
Spaghetti squash was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw your chickpeas bolognese last week. But this pesto also sounds delicious.
Leah @ Grain Changer says
Dana this looks INCREDIBLE! I’m with you on the carb thing, but I do LOVE me some spaghetti squash and can’t wait to try this recipe. That pesto…. <3 <3 <3
Liora @ Allthingsloveli says
I just listened to your interview on Jessica Murnane’s podcast and loved it! Looking forward to your book and trying out this delicious spaghetti!