Try this warm low carb and gluten free cheddar broccoli spaghetti squash casserole as a side or main course dish. It takes little time to prepare the dish!
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Have you ever bought produce and then just didn't get the time to cook it? I seem to do it all the time. It's been a while since I made spaghetti squash so I picked up a small one during my weekly grocery trip.
The weather that week ended up being hot, muggy, and close to 90°F. Needless to say, I really wasn't in the mood to cook up spaghetti squash even though we do have working central air conditioning for our house.
We are pretty conservative about using the air conditioning and only turn it on when it gets really uncomfortable. Just closing the windows and pulling down the cellular blinds, particularly on the west facing windows done wonders for keeping the heat out.
Spaghetti squash doesn't go back quickly so it was still good after sitting on the counter for over a week. I finally got around to baking it this weekend when the temperature outside was much cooler.
I prefer to roast spaghetti squash in the crock pot as it's the easiest method I've tried. You can find the instructions for this method in my Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash recipe post. It does take a little more time than using the oven, but I find it much more convenient.
Spaghetti squash can release a lot of water during roasting, especially if you use the crock pot method. Since I didn't want my casserole to be runny, I let the spaghetti squash strands sit in a towel lined bowl for a bit to absorb most of the water.
After removing the towel, I added the remaining ingredients for my casserole base. I rarely buy soft cheeses that have been pre-grated because they contain more carbs than grating the cheese fresh
The anti-caking powder needed for pre-grated cheese always adds some carbs. That's why I hand grate the cheese myself with a box grater.
Although this is a broccoli spaghetti squash casserole, I added a little cauliflower too. I had some that needed to be used up and I figured it would be a great addition. It was a total of about 1 ½ cups of broccoli and cauliflower mixed.
Low carb casseroles are known for the excess of cheese and this one is no different. I added an additional four slices of sharp cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. The base of the casserole had white sharp cheddar and I used a yellow sharp cheddar for the top. Feel free to use your favorite cheese to suit your own taste.
The cheese browns up nicely in the oven and let's you know when to take out the casserole. I purposely made this cheddar broccoli spaghetti squash casserole on the small side. You can easily double the recipe if you want the traditional 9x13 casserole size.
This would be a fantastic casserole to make in the casserole crock pot and serve at a party or family gathering. Although the cheese may not brown as well in the crock pot, the crock is oven safe so you could brown up the cheese in the oven if needed.
I may make this spaghetti squash casserole for our family Thanksgiving. It is a delicious side dish for turkey. I'm always looking for easy casseroles to make for the holidays and this is one that will be saved on my list.
Can you believe it's already that time of year again where we need to think about holiday food? I'm actually starting to do a little holiday shopping even though we are still a few months away. You can never start to early.
Driving home from work the other day I heard the DJ mention that some people have their holiday shopping finished. Who gets it done this early? I am far from a procrastinator, but I've never finished my holiday shopping by mid-September. That's just crazy!
I was tempted to pick up another small spaghetti squash on a recent trip to Trader Joe's, but then I remembered how long it took me to cook this one so I refrained. I am ready to make another spaghetti squash dish, but it may have to wait a few more weeks.
It used to be a little difficult to find spaghetti squash in the grocery stores if it wasn't in season, but most of the stores seem to have year long suppliers now. I'm sure the big gluten-free trend has something to do with it as the strands of spaghetti squash are an inexpensive replacement for pasta.
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Recipe
Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 small spaghetti squash roasted (about 2 cups )
- 10 oz frozen broccoli steamed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- dash salt
- dash pepper
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place strands of spaghetti squash into a towel lined bowl to absorb extra liquid.
- Remove towel, then add steamed broccoli, sour cream, shredded cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Spread mixture out into an 8x8-inch baking pan.
- Top with cheese slices.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is browned.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
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CJ
So good!!! We added 1 carrot chopped small and 1c Italian chicken sausage, used Costco Coastal English Cheddar with a milder cheese on top. Going to make a double recipe from now on and try freezing squares for lunches. Thanks!
Cathy
We grow spaghetti squash and you gave me the basic recipe for great variations! I added 1c of browned Italian Chicken sausage, 1 carrot chopped small & steamed, and used lightly steamed fresh broccoli. The sharp cheddar mixed in and a mild mixed shredded cheese on top was delicious!
Linda
This was delicious and my husband has asked me to make it again!
Lesley Garvey
This was AMAZING! Thank you. My picky family loved it. I even used vegan cheese, lol.
Tip- I cook my spaghetti squash by slicing it into two or three big circles, after you cut the ends off. Scoop out the seeds and gunk. Put the slices on the pan, so you'll see the holes... like donuts. Pour olive oil and salt and pepper. They never come out soggy. And no need to towel the wetness.
Klady
I AM Amazed at this recipe. I tripled this recipe yesterday and took it to a Celebration of Life Potluck for a group made of outdoor men/women, cowboys, etc., None of them are following a low carb lifestyle. My dish was the ONLY one cleaned out, and about 20 minutes after we started to eat I hear over the Microphone "Whoever made this Cheesy Broccoli Casserole, we want the Recipe please". Very High Praise !
Lisa MarcAurele
Yay! I hope you shared the recipe with everyone. Nice that the low carb dish was such a hit!
PJ
This looks amazing! I can't wait to make it. As a side note, saw your comment about how long it takes to cook a spaghetti squash. If you're not afraid of the microwave, put your squash in the microwave for 5 min., turn to the other side for 5 more minutes. Test for doneness. If it's large it may take another minute or two. Let it rest in the microwave for 5 more minutes. Take it to a solid surface and cut in half, remove the seeds and you have a perfect spaghetti squash just waiting to be transformed. Hope this helps you to enjoy spaghetti squash even more
Sarah
This sounds delicious! It's in the oven right now and smells soo yummy! Just be careful, if you're doing a keto diet, or trim healthy mama like i am, keep the sour cream in and dont sub in yogurt, that makes it a crossover since yogurt is higher in carbs ?
Lisa
Good tip!
Melissa Vree
I would like to make this but I don't understand this line: 1 cups small spaghetti squash roasted (about 2 )
Are you saying only 1 cup of squash = 6 servings? What does the about 2 mean? I would figure 2 spaghetti squash would be much more than 1 cup of squash.
I hope I'm making sense.
Lisa
The recipe got messed up when the recipe software was changed. It should say 1 small spaghetti squash, about 2 cups. I fixed the recipe. Thanks for letting me know!
Sherri
Excellent!! My husband loved this dish! He was not looking happy when I told him what I was making but tried it anyway. His "this is good" is high praise!
Lisa
Awesome!
Terrie
Can goat cheese or any other non dairy be used. Family cannot have any dairy. Coconut yogurt?
Lisa
Goat cheese and coconut yogurt works!
Della Pidgeon
Instead of sour cream I used yogurt. Instead of shredded cheddar cheese I used "Go Veggie Grated Parmesan Cheese! Instead of 4 slices of cheddar cheese I used "Follow Your Heart cheddar cheese or pepper jack slices! I also added "Greenwise" brand Chicken & Kale sausages cut up! DEElicious!! I cut out a lot of fat & carbs!!
Lisa
Good to know those subs work!
Paula
Could you use zucchini instead? Spiralised ?
Lisa
Yes. Any vegetable noodle would work.
Rebecca Berna
Why is it when I enter this recipe into my fitness pal it shows 31 grams carbs! All I changed was fresh broccoli for the frozen!
Lisa
You need to look at all the ingredients My Fitness Pal pulls. Many times, it picks the wrong ingredient or the data is not correct for a particular item.
Patti
Did you steam the fresh broccoli?
Lisa
I did, but only a little (I like to have it still a bit crisp).
Eileen
Recipes are great but need how much carbs and nutrients in them. Thanks
Lisa
It's at the bottom of the recipe.
Jodi
Made this tonight...was worried my 2 young kids wouldn't like it...they LOVED it. My daughter even went back for 2nds!
Thanks for the great recipe!
Lisa
Awesome! My youngest eats this too because she loves the "noodles."
Jodi
Haha Lisa! My daughter is 7...she had asked what's for dinner and I told her "noodles with vegetables"...I didn't wanna argue about if she would or wouldn't like spaghetti squash!
Glenna Bowman
Can this recipe put together the night before and baked the next day? Or, at least, can the spaghetti squash be cooked ahead?
Kristy
You can cut the squash in half and throw it in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes and it comes out perfect. Just so you know. .......
Lisa
Nice tip. Thanks!
Lisa
This was deelish! Added little more salt, yogurt and some leftover chicken & veggies on hand. Keeper for sure, thanks!
Lynn
Tasty. I substituted yogurt for sour cream.
Lisa
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!