Air Fryer Italian Spaghetti Squash

Recipe posted in: Flex Meals & Snacks, Lunches & Dinners, Main Courses
air fryer spaghetti squash recipe

We’re combining two magical things in one delicious recipe: Spaghetti squash and the air fryer! Air fryers are pretty much a kitchen miracle, while spaghetti squash creates perfect strands of low-carb pasta in less than an hour. Put the two together and you’ve got a healthy dinner that’s smart, savory and satisfying.

Healthy Air Fryer Italian Spaghetti Squash Recipe

This delicious Air Fryer Italian Spaghetti Squash recipe serves six, making it an ideal option for a nutritious and satisfying meal. Each serving contains 253 calories and fits perfectly into a Nutrisystem plan, counting as one PowerFuel, two Extras and two Vegetables.

Simple, Wholesome Ingredients

The key to this recipe’s success lies in its wholesome ingredients. To prepare this dish, you’ll need a spaghetti squash halved and de-seeded, olive oil, black pepper, low sodium marinara sauce, part-skim ricotta cheese, part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, an egg, oregano and spinach leaves.

Utilizing low-sodium marinara sauce, part-skim cheeses and plenty of vegetables ensures that this meal is not only delicious but also fits into a balanced diet. The combination of cheeses provides a creamy texture and rich flavor, while the spinach and marinara sauce add essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Preparing Your Spaghetti Squash

Start by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees. Season the spaghetti squash with olive oil and black pepper before cooking it in the air fryer for 20 minutes. This method of cooking not only enhances the squash’s natural flavors but also maintains its nutritional value, making it a healthier alternative to traditional pasta dishes.

Mixing the Filling

While the squash is cooking, create a mixture of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg and oregano. This cheese and herb mixture will serve as the creamy, flavorful filling for your spaghetti squash, infusing it with traditional Italian flavors that perfectly complement the squash’s mild sweetness.

Stuffing and Cooking the Squash

Once the spaghetti squash is cooked and cool enough to handle, scrape out its flesh with a fork and transfer it to a bowl. Combine the spaghetti squash flesh with the spinach, marinara sauce and the ricotta mixture. Then, stuff this mixture back into the squash halves, topping each with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Place the stuffed squash back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese on top turns golden brown. This final step melds all the flavors together and creates a visually appealing, golden crust on top.

Customizing Your Italian Spaghetti Squash

This Air Fryer Italian Spaghetti Squash is a versatile recipe that can be easily customized to suit your preferences, making it even more appealing. Whether you’re looking to add more protein, go vegetarian or incorporate different flavors, there are plenty of ways to make this dish your own.

Add Protein

For those looking to boost the protein content, consider adding a PowerFuel like cooked ground turkey, chicken or even plant-based crumbles to the filling. These additions can be mixed in with the marinara sauce or layered between the squash and cheese mixture for a heartier meal.

Explore New Flavors

The beauty of Italian cuisine lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different herbs like basil or thyme for a new flavor profile. Adding a pinch of chili flakes can introduce a subtle heat, while a splash of cream or a dollop of pesto mixed into the ricotta can add a luxurious richness to the dish.

Seasonal Twists

Take advantage of seasonal vegetables by incorporating them into your stuffing. In the summer, add zucchini or bell peppers for a fresh, light flavor. In cooler months, mushrooms or kale can provide a hearty, earthy element to the dish.

This customizable approach not only ensures that the Air Fryer Italian Spaghetti Squash can fit into various diets but also keeps the recipe exciting each time you make it. By adjusting ingredients to what’s available or to your nutritional needs, this dish can become a staple in your cooking repertoire, offering a healthy and delicious option for any meal.

Refer to the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for more information on counting ingredient swaps or add-ins on your plan.

More Healthy Squash Recipes

Looking for more delicious ways to enjoy squash? Check out some of our favorite ideas below:

Craving more Italian food made easy? Stock up on convenient, home-delivered meals from Nutrisystem! You’ll love our Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza and Ravioli Formaggio. Get started with Nutrisystem today!

*Please note that all air fryers cook differently. Before trying any recipe, always refer to the manufacturer safety instructions provided with your specific air fryer.

Servings: 6

Calories per Serving: 253

On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 PowerFuel, 2 Extras and 2 Vegetables

Ingredients:

  • 1 spaghetti squash, cut in half, seeds removed
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese, part skim
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, part skim, divided
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ tsp. oregano
  • 3 cup spinach leaves
  • 1 ½ cup marinara sauce, low sodium

Directions:

  1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
  2. Season spaghetti squash with olive oil and pepper. Place into the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, mix ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, egg and herbs.
  4. Once spaghetti squash has finished cooking, scrape out the flesh with a fork and place it into a bowl.
  5. Mix spaghetti squash with spinach, marinara sauce and ricotta mixture.
  6. Stuff spaghetti squash back into the squash bowls. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  7. Air fry for 10 minutes or until the cheese has turned golden brown on top.
  8. *Please note that all air fryers cook differently. Before trying any recipe, always refer to the manufacturer safety instructions provided with your specific air fryer.
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