How To Make Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash Bowls
Have fun cooking up these savory spaghetti squash bowls for dinner! It comes with a bold parsley-basil pesto to give it a well-rounded flavor.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Spaghetti Squash and Filling:
- 2spaghetti squash
- 2½tbspextra-virgin olive oildivided
- 15ozchickpeasrinsed and drained, or 1½ cup cooked chickpeas
- 1red bell pepperchopped
- ⅓cupred onionchopped
- ¼cupKalamata olivesthinly sliced
- 2tbspfresh basilor parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1garlic clovepressed or minced
- 1tbsplemon juice
- ¼tspsalt
- crumbled feta cheeseor grated Parmesan, a sprinkle, optional
For Parsley-Basil Pesto:
- ¼: 5px”>½cupfresh basil leaves
- ½cupfresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 2tbsplemon juice
- 2tbspwater
- ¼tspsalt
- ¼cupextra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
Spaghetti Squash:
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut off the tip-top and very bottom ends of each spaghetti squash.
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Stand the squash upright on a stable surface, then slice through it from top to bottom to divide it in half.
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Repeat with the other squash.
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Scoop out the spaghetti squash seeds, then discard them.
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Drizzle each squash half with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, then rub it all over the inside and outside of the squash.
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Sprinkle salt and pepper lightly over the interiors of the squash, then place them cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, until the interiors are easily pierced through with a fork.
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Combine the chickpeas, bell pepper, onion, olives, basil, garlic, lemon juice, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt.
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Stir to combine. Set aside.
Parsley-Basil Pesto:
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In a small skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring often for 5 minutes, until they are fragrant and produce popping noises.
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Pour the pepitas into a food processor, then let them cool for a few minutes.
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Add the basil, parsley, lemon juice, water and salt.
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Process while slowly drizzling in the olive oil, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary, until the pepitas have broken down to create a smooth sauce.
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Transfer the pesto to a small bowl.
Assemble The Squash Bowls:
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Use a fork to fluff up the squash.
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Divide the chickpea salad between the squash bowls, then top each one with a generous drizzle of pesto.
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Finish with a sprinkle of chopped herbs and cheese, if desired.
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Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Leftovers keep well for about 3 days. If you plan to have leftovers, store the pesto separately and top the squash with it just before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 732.28kcal
- Fat: 34.25g
- Saturated Fat: 4.69g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 19.41g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.29g
- Carbohydrates: 87.16g
- Fiber: 17.97g
- Sugar: 19.23g
- Protein: 26.21g
- Sodium: 420.68mg
- Calcium: 144.10mg
- Potassium: 1191.87mg
- Iron: 6.99mg
- Vitamin A: 106.69µg
- Vitamin C: 63.09mg
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