Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Gratin With Fresh Basil Recipes

CHEESY SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop seeds and stringy center portion of from squash and discard or reserve seeds for another use.
• Place squash cut side up on baking sheet. Brush flesh with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn upside down.
• Bake in preheated oven until tender, about 40 minutes.
• Let cool slightly or use and oven mitt to hold squash, and shred spaghetti squash with a fork while leaving about 1/4-inch border. Set strings aside and return unfilled boats to baking sheet.
• In a large saute pan melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and flour and saute 1 minute.
• While whisking vigorously slowly pour in half and half. Let cook, stirring constantly, until just thickened.
• Reduce heat to low, add parmesan and stir until melted. If mixture seems too thick add in a splash or two of half and half. Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove from heat. Add shredded spaghetti squash and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and toss to evenly coat (taste again for salt).
• Divide mixture evenly among squash halves. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese*.
• Return to oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH GRATIN WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Pierce the squash in several places with a sharp knife. Cover a baking sheet with foil, and place the squash on top. Bake for one hour, turning the squash every 20 minutes until it is soft and easy to cut into with a knife. Remove from the heat, and allow the squash to cool until you can handle it. Cut in half lengthwise, and allow to cool further. Remove the seeds and discard. Scoop out the flesh, and place in a bowl. Run a fork through the flesh to separate the spaghetti-like strands, then chop coarsely. Measure out 4 cups squash. (Use whatever remains for another dish, or freeze.)
• Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant. Add the squash. Cook, stirring often, for five minutes until the strands of squash are a little more tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the milk, salt (about 1/2 teaspoon), pepper and basil. Stir in the squash mixture and the Gruyère, and combine well. Scrape into the baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan or pecorino over the top, and gently press down to moisten.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes until nicely browned and sizzling. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.

CHEESY ROASTED GARLIC SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Drizzle olive oil over the cut side of the spaghetti squash. Season with salt and black pepper. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet. Place unpeeled garlic on a piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Wrap aluminum foil around garlic, and place onto baking sheet next to the squash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork, 40 to 45 minutes. Allow squash and garlic to rest until cool enough to handle. Leave the oven on.
• Peel garlic and squeeze cloves into a large bowl. Smash with a fork until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion powder, basil, oregano, and parsley. Mix into a paste.
• Use a fork to scrape out spaghetti squash strands into the bowl, reserving the shells. Toss spaghetti squash strands with the garlic paste until thoroughly coated. Mix in spinach, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each reserved spaghetti squash shell evenly with the filling. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Return the filled shells to the baking sheet.
• Bake until cheeses melt, 7 to 10 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until cheeses begin to brown and bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHEESY SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Place squash, cut-sides down, in a shallow baking dish. Fill the dish with about 1/2 inch of water.
• Microwave on high until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the microwave and transfer squash to a cutting board to cool, about 5 minutes.
• Use a fork in an up-and-down motion to scrape out spaghetti-like strands of squash.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes and cook until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in spaghetti squash and season with garlic powder, thyme, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and cook until cheese has melted slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot.