Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats are an easy, low carb vegan main dish. They’re loaded with protein thanks to creamy plant-based ricotta and crumbled meatloaf, and meal prep friendly too!
Once you’ve mastered how to cook spaghetti squash, you’re going to want to make ALL THE THINGS with it. Although it’s always delicious tossed in your fave sauce, I think these lasagna boats are the best way to use spaghetti squash. You just can’t beat this meaty, cheesy, low carb dinner. (Don’t worry, the meat and cheese are both vegan!)
While spaghetti squash doesn’t actually taste like pasta, it adds a nice texture to this dish, and it delivers all that nutrition we love from winter squash—plenty of fiber, vitamin C to get your immune system humming, and antioxidants, all with fewer calories and carbs than traditional lasagna noodles. It’s the perfect delivery system for creamy vegan ricotta, tomato sauce, and meatloaf crumbles.
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s healthy and that serves up all that comfort food goodness you crave around this time of year, spaghetti squash lasagna boats definitely fit the bill!
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- Spaghetti squash – Spaghetti squash come in all different sizes! You’ll want a large squash for this recipe, but you can use two smaller squashes if that’s all you can find.
- Olive oil
- Vegan meatloaf or veggie burgers – Make the meatloaf or veggie burgers the night before, then use the leftovers in this recipe. Meal planning win!
- Vegan ricotta or tofu ricotta
- Vegan mozzarella shreds
- Tomato sauce – Sometimes I use my homemade marinara in this recipe.
- Salt & pepper
- Fresh parsley – If you happen to have basil on hand instead, that will work too!
How to Make Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
If you want to get a head start on this recipe, you can cook the spaghetti squash the day before. Even if you don’t do this, the whole recipe takes about an hour in the oven, so it’s doable for a weeknight!
Prepare. Preheat your oven to 400ºF and cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scooping out the seeds and stringy bits.
Cook the squash. Drizzle the squash halves with olive oil and place them cut-side-up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the sides are lightly browned and the squash is fork tender.
Make spaghetti squash “noodles.” Remove the squash from the oven and allow it to cool until it can be comfortably handled. Use a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture, then scrap the squash from side to side with a fork to form the “noodles.”
Make the filling. Mix the meatloaf, ricotta, and tomato sauce together in a large bowl, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
Assemble. Spoon some of the filling into the winter squash and stir to coat. Spoon the rest of the filling into each half of the squash, then top each with two tablespoons of mozzarella.
Bake. Bake the filled squash boats for 15 more minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the top is just beginning to brown. If you like, you can broil on low to make the cheese crispy.
Serve. Scatter the parsley leaves onto the lasagna boats, then serve.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips for making the best spaghetti squash boats!
- Meatloaf swaps. If you don’t have leftover homemade meatloaf or veggie burgers, you can crumble store-bought veggie burgers or meatballs instead. Not into meat replacements? Try using cooked lentils!
- Cooking for a crowd. Spaghetti squash boats are an excellent vegan main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but the “boats” are a little unwieldy for a holiday dinner plate. Instead of using the squash shells, you can simply bake everything in a baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Using the spaghetti squash shells. If you are using making spaghetti squash boats, be careful not to tear or pierce the skin with the fork when you’re shredding the insides. You don’t want the filling to leak out!
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you don’t have a container big enough for the spaghetti squash boats, you can transfer the insides to a storage container. Reheat in the microwave or transfer to an oven-safe container and reheat at 350ºF until warmed through.
Can I Freeze This?
You can freeze any leftovers you have for up to 2 months, but I recommend scooping them out of the spaghetti squash shells and freezing them in an airtight container for easier storage. Heat frozen leftovers in the oven or microwave, or let them thaw in the refrigerator first for a shorter cooking time.
Enjoy friends! If you make this spaghetti squash lasagna boat recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
- 1 spaghetti squash
- Olive oil, to drizzle
- 1 cup vegan meatloaf or cooked down veggie burgers, crumbled
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup vegan ricotta, or tofu ricotta
- 1/4 cup vegan mozzarella shreds
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- salt & pepper to taste
- fresh chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and spoon out all the insides. All the stringy bits and the seeds.
- Drizzle with some olive oil and place cut side up on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until sides are slightly brown and squash is fork tender but still slightly firm. You'll want to bake it for 30 minutes for a small spaghetti squash, and 45 for a larger one.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Pat with a paper towel to remove any water that has formed. Don't turn your oven off.
- Using a fork, scrape the squash from side to side until it resembles spaghetti. Don’t pierce through the squash at the bottom or sides.
- In a bowl, mix the meatloaf, ricotta, and tomato sauce together. Add salt and pepper to taste if necessary. Spoon a bit into the strands and mix until coated. Then spoon the rest equally into each half of the squash, covering everything.
- Top with two tablespoons of mozzarella on each.
- Bake for 15 more minutes in the oven until everything is heated through and cheese begins to brown slightly.
- You can broil for a few minutes on low if also desired.
- Top with parsley to garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
- Meatloaf swaps. If you don’t have leftover homemade meatloaf or veggie burgers, you can crumble store-bought veggie burgers or meatballs instead. Not into meat replacements? Try using cooked lentils!
- Cooking for a crowd. Spaghetti squash boats are an excellent vegan main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but the “boats” are a little unwieldy for a holiday dinner plate. Instead of using the squash shells, you can simply bake everything in a baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Using the spaghetti squash shells. If you are using making spaghetti squash boats, be careful not to tear or pierce the skin with the fork when you’re shredding the insides. You don’t want the filling to leak out!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
That looks amazingly delicious!
Thanks Angie!!
I just made this and it was delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe!!
I’m so happy to hear that Layla!! Thanks for letting me now! 🙂
Hi! I’m so glad you posted this recipe——I have been making various dishes using Spaghetti Squash since I was about twenty and I’m turning 62. Spaghetti Squash has a delicious flavor and texture and really goes well with these Italian or Mexican dishes. It’s quite versatile and folks that I have served this to over the years are surprised that they enjoy it so much. Thank you again, and I hope people will give your recipe a try…..it’s really tasty!
Hi Sadie!! We obviously love Spaghetti Squash too! We’re so glad that you enjoyed our recipe !! Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment it means the world to us over here and it definitely brightened our day. We hope you have a great weekend!
Jessica—what a yummy, healthy recipe! The only change I made was to swap the mozzarella for vegan park. It’s also fun and quirky. I mean, who doesn’t want to enjoy a meal in an edible boat?! 🤠
Thanks for another great recipe!
Awesome we fount it quite fun too! We’re so happy that you like it Kelly.