7 Must-Make ‘Pasta’ Dishes – Using Spaghetti Squash Or Zucchini

Squash is all the rage lately—as a substitute for spaghetti. Yes, I know. No more carbs?!

All you need is a spiralizer or a spiral slicer or vegetable peeler, and your squash will transform into pasta-looking strands. Why is shredded squash and zucchini all the rage?

For starters, you can eat as much as you’d like for barely any calories. Three cups of zucchini “pasta” noodles (“zoodles”) will only cost you 58 calories. Plus, it’s healthy!

For instance, it’ll supply 20% of your daily intake of potassium. Below, you’ll find my seven favorite zucchini and squash recipes. Though they’re delicious, I don’t find myself as full (for as long) than I do after flour-based pasta.

But, it’s a fun alternative, and just make sure your side dishes (or main course) are filling enough so your guests won’t go home hungry and want another meal a couple hours later.

1. Zucchini “Spaghetti” With Pesto

I love this recipe from O magazine. Once you master using the spiralizer, it takes no time at all to make. Believe me, it looks way more labor-intensive than it actually is. Plus, your guests will be impressed with how delicious and light the zucchini is compared to real pasta (i.e., they won’t get that bloated I-ate-too-much feeling).

2. Spaghetti Squash With Bacon, Spinach And Goat Cheese

This is a bit more work than the above, but the way the flavors meld together is definitely worth it! And, it is gluten-free!

3. Julia Child’s Grated Zucchini Sauteed In Butter And Shallots

Who knew that Julia Child was shredding squash before it even became trendy? Of course, she loved butter, and it tastes delicious with the zucchini, shallots, olive oil, and salt and pepper that this recipe calls for. (That’s it—those few ingredients!) I recommend making a double batch, as your guests will definitely want more.

4. Spaghetti (Squash) & Meatballs

If all this squash business seems too healthy, look no further than this spaghetti squash and meatballs recipe. By the time you’re done making it, you won’t be able to tell that the spaghetti is actually a shredded vegetable versus doughy pasta.

5. Spaghetti Squash Fritters With Sriracha Mayonnaise

Fritters will never taste the same way to you again once you make this recipe. Until you tell them, your dinner guests won’t even know they’re eating healthy. Plus, the Sriracha mayo provides a great kick for the palate, too.

6. Asian Zucchini Noodle Salad

This is the most colorful recipe ever—the shredded green zucchini zoodles, the orange carrots, the purple cabbage, the red bell peppers. It’s ideal as a first course or a main one.

7. Spaghetti Squash With Feta

There’s nothing better than Feta cheese in pasta. Not only is this recipe easy and quick to make, but the pinch of cinnamon and sugar add a nice flavor twist, as well.

Photo by Nadja Tatar

Food

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About the Author
Natalia Lusinski
In addition to Simplemost, Natalia is an ongoing writer for Bustle (sex, dating, relationships, and money), HelloGiggles (pop culture and news), The Delite (feel-good stories), and Don’t Waste Your Money (yep, money issues!). You can also find her writing in the L.A. Times, the Chicago Tribune's RedEye, xoJane, Elite Daily, Scary Mommy, Elephant Journal, and Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, among other publications. She has a Ph.D. in couch-surfing, having spent four years sleeping on over 200 L.A.-area love seats and sectionals, all in an effort to whittle down her student loan debt. She still loves couch-surfing in other cities, too (hint, hint).

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