Parmesan Zucchini and Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts - delicious way to combine lots of veggies in one dish. Shredded Parmesan cheese makes this healthy meal taste like comfort food!
After I published the recipe for Parmesan Zucchini and Garlic Pasta, one of the readers left a comment that she added walnuts to the zucchini pasta, and it turned out really good. The idea of zucchini cooked in olive oil, topped with melted, freshly shredded Parmesan cheese AND then sprinkled with some kind of toasted nuts has been brewing in my head for a whole day on Monday. And - voilà - all this thinking has thankfully not gone to waste and instead materialized into a delicious Parmesan Zucchini & Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts!
This dish is so unbelievably good: the zucchini, spaghetti squash, Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts are meant to be together!
As you can guess by the small number of ingredients, this recipe is extremely easy to make.
First, bake the spaghetti squash at 425 Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes.
Second, cook zucchini in olive oil and garlic for about 5-7 minutes on medium-high heat, adding salt midway through cooking to make zucchini release its juices. Cook it covered, because you will want the juices from the zucchini to accumulate for when you add baked spaghetti squash and grated Parmesan cheese. The zucchini juices will coat the spaghetti squash and help the cheese melt beautifully throughout the whole skillet!
This recipes is healthy, full of vegetables, gluten free, vegetarian.
Other delicious recipes with spaghetti squash
- Southwestern Stuffed Whole Spaghetti Squash - Southwestern Spaghetti Squash stuffed with chopped chicken, black beans, tomatoes, corn, green chilies, green bell pepper, spaghetti squash flesh, and topped and broiled with shredded Cheddar on top!
- Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Skillet with Spinach, Bacon, Pine Nuts - Spaghetti Squash, Spinach cooked with garlic in olive oil, combined with bacon, topped with melted, freshly grated, Parmesan cheese AND then sprinkled with toasted pine nuts. Delicious, healthy, gluten free!
- Bacon Spaghetti Squash Fritters with Parmesan - mini cakes made with spaghetti squash.
Parmesan Zucchini and Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 zucchinis , sliced, or 1 very large zucchini, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 spaghetti squash , medium size
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese , shredded
- ½ cup pine nuts , toasted
- salt and pepper
Instructions
How to cook spaghetti squash:
- Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit.
- Cut the squash in 2 halves, scrape out the seeds and the fiber out of each half. Spray oil over the cut sides of the squash. Spray the baking sheet with oil and place the squash on the baking sheet cut side down.
- Bake for about 30-40 minutes. Remove it from the oven when it's cooked through and soft, and let it cool. Flip the squash so that cut side faces up – that will speed up the cooling. After squash cools, scrape squash with a fork to remove flesh in long strands and transfer to a bowl.
How to cook zucchini:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add sliced zucchini and minced garlic and saute for about 3 minutes, stirring, on medium heat, uncovered. Season with salt, stir, and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, covered, occasionally stirring, until zucchini softens and browns a bit. We are cooking it covered to preserve the juices. Note: Depending on the size of your skillet, you might have to cook zucchini in 2 separate batches.
- Add spaghetti squash to the skillet with zucchini and mix to combine, on low heat.
- Add freshly shredded Parmesan cheese into the skillet and stir on low heat to melt the cheese. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Top with toasted pine nuts.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Wonderful recipe! I added cumin, coriander, cayenne, and some cooked quinoa I had on hand.
I look forward to trying this, but I will add some diced tomatoes as well.
Sharon, diced tomatoes would be delicious! Enjoy!
I made this last night. The recipe is absolutely brilliant. The toasted pine nuts really make it wonderful.
Ron, I am so happy to hear this recipe was a success! Thank you for taking the time to write such a positive comment - I really appreciate it! 🙂
Not usually a fan of spaghetti squash but got some from our friends' garden as well as some zucchini! I found this recipe and decided to give it a try. I baked the spaghetti squash for 35 minutes. I cooked the zucchini for 4 minutes uncovered and continued cooking covered for 4 minutes. Other than these adjustments, I followed the recipe exactly. It was fabulous!! It's now a proud member of my favorite recipes!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful comment and the feedback about the cooking times! I really appreciate the feedback, especially the positive one! 🙂
I use this recipe pretty frequently as my main dish (I am a vegetarian). It's sooo good!
Elizabeth, I am so happy to hear you've enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to share such a positive comment! 🙂
Making it right now! I have yellow squash so hopefully it will be similar.
Amazing.. Just made this!!!! Thanks for the recipe
This so AMAZING! This is a dish that I would totally make for myself and probably keep for myself. My grandmother used to make something similar when I was a little girl.
So happy you found this recipe and liked it! Enjoy!
Hi there! Is this a recipe that can be made a day ahead and heated in a roasting pan?
Michelle, you can make this a day ahead. But, I would add cheese only right before serving and would also add pine nuts right before serving (to prevent them from getting soggy).