Vegan, gluten-free, or none of the above? You'll love this flavorful pesto spaghetti squash bowl filled with spinach, roasted cauliflower & pine nuts.
Back by popular demand – spaghetti squash!
If you’ve been following for long you’ll know that I haven’t always been the biggest fan of it. But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s best to get the “spaghetti” thought out of your mind. As pasta, it’s kind of mushy. As a roasted vegetable that happens to form into little strands, it’s so delicious. Especially with a squeeze of lemon and a few dollops of pesto. And if you’re new to this veggie, check out my guide to how to cook spaghetti squash to find my best tips for cooking it.
For texture and crunch, I tossed the squash with roasted cauliflower, spinach, and pine nuts. This pesto spaghetti squash is a simple, healthy weeknight meal or vegetable side dish. Serve it like it’s pictured or mix everything together with the pesto. (It’s not as pretty at that point, but still tasty).
And if you’re still feeling like pasta, check back Friday 🙂
Lemon Pesto Spaghetti Squash
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- Basil Pesto
- 2 cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- Juice of ½ small lemon, plus wedges for serving
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley or basil)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare and roast the spaghetti squash according to the instructions in this post. Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on the second baking sheet. Roast for about 25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
- Meanwhile, make the pesto and set aside.
- Place the baby spinach in a large bowl. Use a fork to scrape the spaghetti squash into strands. Add the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper (you can do this right in the spaghetti squash halves). Add the spaghetti squash to the bowl and gently toss, so that the heat from the squash lightly wilts the spinach leaves.
- Add the roasted cauliflower, pine nuts, parsley, and a dollop of the pesto.
- Optional step: toss it all together so that the pesto coats all of the vegetables.
- Serve with lemon wedges, extra pesto, and Parmesan, if desired.
Oh how I wish we had access to winter vegetables locally here in Kauai! Oh well, I will have to live vicariously, through your beautiful imagery…..
Spaghetti squash hasn’t really been my thing either, but most likely because it’s usually presented as a (very poor) substitute for pasta, and shouldn’t be treated as such. I really like the idea of punching it up with zesty pesto and some greens; can’t wait to try this.
This looks so awesome! I’m also wondering about that gorgeous bowl. Would you share the source?
Thank you!!
Hi Caitlin – thanks! It’s from Sheldon Ceramics (http://www.sheldonceramics.com/ I think he’s also on etsy)
Thanks Jeanine! I’ve (very) recently taken up wheelthrowing so really have my eye on beautiful ceramics these days 🙂
very useful recipe, thank you for sharing
My family of meat eaters is trying hard to clean up our diet and reset our taste buds. I have made several of your recipes thus far, and all are fantastic. This one, however, takes the cake!! Our teen girls loved it and hubby asked for seconds. Thank you for making clean eating so tasteful.
This looks so appetizing! And seems to be a perfect blend of tasty and healthy. People tend to put too many flavors, and what I loved about your recipe is that it is simple and one can imagine tasting all the ingredients you’ve mentioned with every bite of the dish. Keep such recipes coming!
thanks Edwin!
I couldn’t wait to make this and it was delicous! Unexpected, but very tasty! I used fresh basil and tossed everything with traditional pesto. Wow..will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Donna – I’m so glad you liked it!
I love pesto, especially homemade and with a twist 🙂
I just tried this recipe! It was great. Thanks for this.
The lemon pesto combination has me dreaming of summer!! too soon?
FABULOUS. Made it last night and loved it. Used traditional basil. An absolute winner.
so glad to hear!
What an delicious way to do spaghetti squash! This is so my kinda meal!
I see so many recipes for spaghetti squash and this is the only one that has ever made me feel PUMPED to try it right away!
Ha, let me know how it goes 🙂
Yum! I love spaghetti squash. I can’t wait to try it with pesto!
OMG you’re so right. Have to get the idea of “spaghetti” out of your mind. It’s just like with zoodles. Only a noodle replacement in shape, not texture or taste. This looks super tasty and vibrant!
yep, my thoughts exactly 🙂
This spaghetti squash looks wonderfully refreshing! I usually see spaghetti squash recipes that have been packed with too much so this is more my style!
This looks amazing – I’ll make it soon, but with traditional pesto because I
l-o-v-e basil.
Ha – me too, (it’s just harder to come by in the winter time)
I make fresh pesto and freeze it in ice cube trays so I have it all winter long !
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods and Costco sells Pesto in a jar. It’s made with basil, olive oil pine nuts and Parmesan cheese
Oh gosh, this was so delish! Usually I’m not a salad person because it always tastes bland and never fills me up. But this recipe was actually enjoyable to the taste. Thanks!
midnightburnout.com
so glad you liked it! 🙂
OMG! Need to create this today. Looks delicious:-)
Was amazing!!
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Nikki
http://www.nikkisplate.com