Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

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Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2

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Onions sautéed with butter and olive oil create this scrumptious Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash. Mixed with kale and mushrooms for a healthy, colorful meal. 

A bowl of spaghetti squash topped with mushrooms, onion and kale.

Boy oh boy, do I have a recipe for you! If you’ve never tried spaghetti squash, this recipe will walk you through exactly how to make it, and show you a really tasty way to flavor it. Spaghetti squash is a low carb alternative to traditional pasta, and it has a semi neutral taste (in my opinion), so it’s easy to flavor with a variety of spices. 

WHY THIS SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPE IS SO GOOD:

  • The recipe itself is vegetarian, but you can easily omit the cheese to make it vegan, or add meat (like bacon or sausage) if that’s your thing.
  • Minimal ingredients are required — you only need 6 or so ingredients
  • It’s flavored with caramelized onions–aka the BEST way to eat onions–plus a combination of butter and olive oil

Can we PLEASE talk about caramelized onions? Have I professed my love for them before? Maybe, but I’m going to do it again. Gahhhh they’re just perfect, and dare I say THE BEST way to eat onions?! Along with that, roasting and eating spaghetti squash is a great way to enjoy a spaghetti-like dish without using actual pasta. This vegetarian spaghetti squash is sure to please ALL eaters! 

spaghetti squash

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

FIRST: Slice the spaghetti squash in half length-ways, then brush both sides of it with olive oil and place it cut-side down on a a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Note: This caramelized onion spaghetti squash should come together in less than an hour, give or take depending on the size of your squash. The larger the squash, the longer it’s going to take to roast. Mine was not very big—maybe 2-3 lb.—and it fed both my brother and I, so you definitely don’t need anything too too big, and as for the cheese, it’s completely optional–seriously, your call!

caramelized onion spaghetti squash | thealmondeater.com

SECOND: Once the squash is roasted, you’ll take it out of the oven and carefully use a fork to remove the “spaghetti”. While the squash is roasting, you should make the caramelized onion mixture. Then, add the cooked squash to the skillet with the caramelized onions, making sure to stir everything together. In addition to the onions, the squash will be flavored with a little rosemary and cheese if you opt to use it, plus kale, mushrooms and plenty of salt and pepper. It’s so simple yet so tasty as well!

caramelized onion spaghetti squash | thealmondeater.com

caramelized onion spaghetti squash | thealmondeater.com

OTHER VEGETARIAN DINNER RECIPES

4.76 from 53 votes

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

Servings: 2
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Onions sautéed with butter and olive oil create this scrumptious Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash recipe, complete with mushrooms!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 2-3 lb. spaghetti squash
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter, I used dairy free
  • 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and sliced into longer strips if possible
  • 1 1/2 cup mushrooms
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1/4 tsp rosemary, I used fresh, but dried would work too
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: sprinkle of parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Slice squash in half, remove seeds and place on baking sheet.
  • Brush 2 tbsp olive oil on both sides of the squash (1 tbsp per half) and then place face down in the oven.
  • While squash is roasting, melt butter and last 2 tbsp oil over medium-high in a large skillet.
  • Add onions to skillet, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, add mushrooms.
  • After approximately 10 minutes, the onions should start to caramelize. If they look like they're burning at all, add an extra tablespoon of oil.
  • Add kale to skillet and continue to stir everything together until onions turn a nice golden brown color.
  • After 45 minutes, remove squash from oven and allow 10 or so minutes for it to cool off.
  • Once slightly cooler, use a fork to remove "spaghetti" from squash and place in a skillet; add rosemary, salt and pepper and stir everything together.
  • Add parmesan cheese if you wish and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are an estimation and are per serving

Nutrition

Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 1289mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 4518IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this?Leave a comment and star rating below!
A fresh lentil salad topped with fried halloumi, roasted tomatoes and zucchini | thealmondeater.com
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A collage of three images: a bowl of cooked spaghetti squash, spaghetti squash being scraped out and a skillet with cooked mushrooms and kale

girl standing in kitchen

Welcome! I’m Erin, author of the Almond Eater.

Here, you'll find recipes for all diet types, because I believe that healthy food should be delicious without being complicated.

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4.76 from 53 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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90 Comments

  1. JB says:

    3 stars
    I am not a picky eater and absolutely love vegan food, but I made this tonight and it was a little bland 🙁 Wish I read the reviews before hand about adding the garlic… I think it would have added a little something!

    1. Brooke H says:

      I noticed the same thing. I added garlic but still found it bland

  2. Miri says:

    5 stars
    I made this for the first time tonight and it was really good! I was worried it would be too bland and would need sauce or something, but it’s not bland at all. I also added garlic, like one person mentioned, and some extra mushrooms (~3/4 cup more) because I bought too many and I think it was the right amount. Overall, great recipe, I’ll definitely be making it again!

    1. Erin says:

      Woohooo! Love that you added garlic too–that sounds delicious. Thanks for your comment 🙂

  3. Kelly says:

    Came across your recipe today and really looking forward to trying it. Small world, I’m in Pittsburgh too!!

    1. Erin says:

      That’s awesome–love meeting fellow Pittsburghers! I hope you like the recipe 🙂

      1. Kayla says:

        I in PIttsburgh too!! 🙂 Makes me excited!

  4. Doreen says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for dinner. Excellent! Made (almost) exactly as written, only added a couple cloves of garlic to the onions. Will make again!

    1. Erin says:

      Amazing, and love that you added garlic!

  5. Mary says:

    I added spinach and kale and very thinly sliced carrots and zucchini. It’s my 3rd time and I just wanted more veggies! I also sautéed a chicken breast earlier and tossed in at the end. We love this s much!

  6. Karen Bartlett says:

    Just don’t use mushrooms!!!!
    Try adding zuchinni… or eggplant…or I used sugar snap peas.

  7. Rick says:

    5 stars
    Very good recipe. I used about 1 tsp of salt. I would use only half of the spaghetti squash (the ones we get are pretty large).

  8. Whitney says:

    Hi Erin! I am allergic to mushrooms – what alternatives would you suggest? Thanks!!

    1. Gretchen says:

      I’m looking to try this recipe tonight and I don’t have mushrooms so I’m going to use some roasted eggplant I made the night before…it’ll carmalize nicely with the onions.

    2. Karen Bartlett says:

      Just don’t use mushrooms!!!!
      Try adding zuchinni… or eggplant…or I used sugar snap peas.try adding some sundries tomatoes and little crushed red peppers… gives it a great warm kick on cold nights!!

  9. Enam says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing!! Was looking for something to go as a side dish with Quinoa and this recipe worked perfectly!! Even without the Parmesan cheese and thyme instead of the rosemary, it still tasted fabulous!
    As a recently converted vegan, it brings me joy to stumble upon such greatness most especially when my kids approve. :)))
    Will definitely be making this again with the rosemary too.
    YUM and Thank you!!

    1. Erin says:

      I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe!

  10. Shelly Brown says:

    Really good recipe. We don’t like kale so I used spinach. My husband usually turns his nose up at vegetarian but this time we both had seconds and look forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

    1. Erin says:

      Woohoo–I’m glad you BOTH enjoyed it!