Pesto Spaghetti Squash – Kalyn’s Kitchen

Twice-baked Pesto Spaghetti Squash topped with Parmesan is a delicious idea that’s perfect for a low-carb meatless meal or a cheesy side dish.

PIN Pesto Spaghetti Squash to try it later!

Are you a fan of spaghetti squash? It’s turned into a favorite fall vegetable for many people because it’s low in carbs, low in calories, and versatile. For years I grew spaghetti squash in my garden, and although I’m not especially a fan of it as a substitute for pasta, I love to eat spaghetti squash as a side dish or as the base of a bowl meal.

And fall is when spaghetti squash shows up in the stores or Farmers markets, so I’m featuring this recipe as my Friday Favorites pick this week to remind you about this ultra popular Pesto Spaghetti Squash that’s baked and shredded apart, mixed with pesto and Parmesan, and baked again in a casserole dish. Yum! 

And spaghetti squash shows up in the garden about the time you’ve been making Pesto and storing it in the freezer, although if you don’t have any homemade pesto you can certainly use my favorite pesto in a jar for this recipe.

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

• spaghetti squash
• Olive Oil (affiliate link)
• Italian Herb Seasoning (affiliate link), or use other seasoning of your choice
• Basil Pesto (affiliate link), more or less to taste
• coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and fresh ground black pepper

Want more spaghetti squash recipes?

Check out Spaghetti Squash Recipes for more ways to use this favorite fall vegetable. This post was included in a round-up of Cheesy Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipes.

Do you love Pesto?

Check out Low-Carb and Keto Recipes with Pesto for more tasty ideas using basil pesto!

How to make Pesto Spaghetti Squash:

(Scroll down for complete printable recipe with nutritional information.)

1. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and use a sharp spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy gunk that’s around the seeds.
2. Rub the cut sides with some olive oil and sprinkle with a little Italian Herb Seasoning (affiliate link).
3. Roast the squash at 400F/200C until the squash pulls apart easily with a fork like this.
4. I had a really big squash so I scraped it all out into a baking dish to mix the pesto and Parmesan with the squash. (You could do this in the same dish you bake it in if you’re not taking photos!)
5. Here’s how it looked when the squash, pesto, and Parmesan was evenly mixed.
6. I transferred it to this baking dish which is about 12 inches by 8 inches. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
7. Bake 20-30 minutes more, or until it’s bubbling and starting to brown.
8. Serve hot, with additional Parmesan to add at the table if desired.

Make It A Low-Carb Meal:

Pesto Spaghetti Squash would taste great served with Grilled Boneless Pork Chops, Chicken Souvlaki, Grilled Cuban Flank Steak, Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken, or Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks for a low-carb meal.

More Meatless Ideas for Spaghetti Squash:

Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash

Greek Salad Spaghetti Squash Bowl

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowl

Spaghetti Squash with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter

Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash With Kale

Weekend Food Prep:

This recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Pesto Spaghetti Squash is a perfect side dish for low-carb or Keto eating plans. I would eat it for any phase of the original South Beach Diet, but it might be a bit high in fat if you’re following the letter of the law for South Beach.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes for more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This recipe was first posted in 2009, and it’s been really popular on the site ever since then. It was last updated with more information in 2022.

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