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30-Minute Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Boats

Spaghetti squash boats are an easy vegetarian dinner filled with hearty vegan bolognese sauce and topped with melty vegan cheese. Ready in 30 minutes and super satisfying!

I was recently interviewed for a Podcast. One of the food-related questions was, “What is your favorite cuisine?”

Hands down, my answer is and always will be: Italian food.

Give me a big bowl of pasta with a chunky tomato sauce and some fresh basil and I'm a happy camper. There's nothing more comforting to me than a simple, tomato-based dish.

A cheesy spaghetti squash boat on a white plate next to a fork.

Why You'll Love This Spaghetti Squash Boat Recipe

But in all honesty, sometimes I'm just not feeling a super carb-heavy and grain-heavy meal. I find if I have too many dinners like that I feel weighed down, bloated and puffy.

Which is precisely why I am so pumped it's spaghetti squash season!

What's great about spaghetti squash, aside from the fact it's a wonderful grain-free pasta alternative, is that it's actually quite simple to make. All you have to do is slice it in half and bake it for about 20 minutes.

In fact, these vegetarian spaghetti squash boats take just 30 minutes to make. They're packed with protein and SO cozy!

A spoon dipped into an open can of Tuttorosso diced tomatoes.

What You'll Need

Just like with most incredible Italian pasta recipes, the real secret to this heart-warming dish is the sauce.

I've made riffs on this red lentil bolognese before, but the main difference here is the tomatoes.

I'm sure you've heard me talk about Tuttorosso Tomatoes before, and I'm so excited to be partnering with them again in today's post because their tomatoes are hands down the BEST canned tomatoes I've ever tasted. Not only do they actually look like tomatoes when you open the can (unlike others that are a soggy, soupy mess), but I've actually seen first-hand how they are packed and shipped.

Their tomatoes are family farmed, have no additives, preservatives, colors or flavorings, they are all non-GMO, and their cans are 100% recycled with non-BPA linings.

And guess what? The flavor is like they were picked right off the vine! (<– because they actually are!)

A can of Tuttorosso diced tomatoes on a countertop next to herbs and spices.

How to Make Spaghetti Squash Boats

We are using Tuttorosso's diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic in this recipe because the consistency makes for the absolute perfect chunky tomato sauce.

We just add the tomatoes, lentils, some hummus, herbs, nutritional yeast and water into a pan, and let it bubble on the stove while the squash is roasting. See my tutorial on how to cook spaghetti squash using different methods, with loads of helpful tips.

Once the squash is done, scoop out the seeds, flip it over, fill with sauce, sprinkle with some (vegan) cheese, bake for another 5 mins and bingo.

Dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!

These vegetarian spaghetti squash boats make for one delicious plant-based meal, paired with a side of roasted winter vegetables. They're high in protein, have zero grains and a healthy dose of fiber to help keep you full!

An unbaked spaghetti squash boat filled with vegan bolognese sauce and topped with shredded vegan cheese.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Making these for leftovers? No problemo!

Store these spaghetti squash boats in the fridge for 4 days and reheat them in the microwave or in the oven. Alternatively, you can also freeze these bad boys and pull them out whenever you need a quick meal!

Close up overhead view of a fork tucked into vegan bolognese inside a spaghetti squash boat.

Want more cozy tomato recipes to try this winter? You should definitely give my Creamy Italian Quinoa Stew and my Healthy Quinoa Minestrone a go. They're veggie-packed and seriously tasty!

If you end up making this recipe, I'd love to see a pic ❤️ you can tag me on Instagram using @simplyquinoa or #simplyquinoa so I can easily find your photo and give you some love in return!

Close up of a forkful of vegan bolognese held over a spaghetti squash boat.

 

More Cozy Tomato Recipes To Try

Spaghetti Squash Boats

5 from 1 vote
Spaghetti squash boats are an easy vegetarian dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes. They're filled with hearty vegan bolognese sauce and topped with melty vegan cheese!
author: Alyssa
yield: 4
Overhead view of a cheesy spaghetti squash boat on a white plate next to a fork.
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 27 minutes

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cut the squash in half, lengthwise and put them face down in a baking dish. Add enough water to cover the squash by 1/4″. Roast squash for 20 minutes.
  • While the squash is cooking, add the remaining ingredients (minus the cheese) into a saucepan. Start with just 1/2 cup of water and add more as needed. Bring the pot to boil, then reduce and simmer until thickened, about 10 – 15 minutes. 
  • Once squash is done roasting, remove from oven, flip over and scoop out the seeds. Fill each squash half with about 1 cup of sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Place the squash back into the oven and turn the oven to broil. Broil for 2 – 3 minutes, watching carefully so the cheese doesn't burn.
  • Remove and serve immediately!

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 990mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 8g
cuisine: American
course: Entree

Filed Under:

This recipe is brought to you in partnership with Tuttorosso Tomatoes. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share companies I love and trust, so thank you for continuing to support Simply Quinoa!

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