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Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash is the perfect three-season dinner that’s so flavorful and fast to make! Enjoy this satisfying, exciting meal — with only 15 minutes of prep time.
Perfect for Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Primal, Gluten-free and GAPS, with a Whole30 version.
This meal can be made with or without dairy.
Jump to Recipe
Spaghetti squash in Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
One of my favorite parts of fall each year is seeing the winter squash show up at the grocery markets and spring from my mom’s garden.
Tip on where to buy spaghetti squash
When I buy winter squash I always feels grateful for Trader Joe’s where they’re SO affordable. I can feed my family a big, filling meal without spending a bundle. If you have a Traders near you and you have yet to discover this money-saver, go see their winter squash prices! You’ll bring home a cart-full of several varieties and feel excited about the money you saved.
How EASY it is to pre-bake spaghetti squash
You’ll also be pleased with how this spaghetti squash gets baked. We start by baking the squash whole!
This means that we don’t have to cut through a monstrous-hard thing. An initial 25-minute baking makes the squash MUCH easier to cut.
Active prep time
And total prep time for this whole recipe is just 15 minutes!
It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s truly hearty, satisfying and worthy of repeating all through the cooler months. (Trader Joe’s carries spaghetti squash from early fall through spring!)
Serving spaghetti squash
Another Nice Thing about spaghetti squash? — Each half is like a boat, that serves as a casserole base!
When we fill up each half, we are kind of making two casserole dishes. Isn’t that cozy?
When it’s time to serve, I just get out my big knife 🙂 and cut each one in half width-wise (with a giant thwack), and each squash serves four people.
I place the good-sized half-boats directly on each plate, and each person can eat their personal casserole right from the shell of sorts — with a big side of green salad.
For Keto folks, spaghetti squash is low-carb, yet gives us that satisfying carb experience.
Chorizo for Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Regarding chorizo, it’s the magic in this recipe! Chorizo is already rich and spicy, fully seasoned, so the work is done for us. This recipe only has 7 fast-to-grab ingredients, thanks to chorizo!
Which chorizo to buy
I buy a couple of natural brands, depending on which market I’ve been to recently: Mulay’s is available at several markets. We also have a local meat market that makes their own.
Good fats in chorizo
Another Nice Thing about chorizo is that it’s high in fat, which makes my body so happy, and likely yours too. (The spiced fat is also great in this recipe, because it sinks into the noodle-like strands of the spaghetti squash and creates a kind of very flavorful sauce.)
Saturated fat and monounsaturated fat are our bodies’ preferred fuel source! (source) Pork fat is about 50% monounsaturated fat and 40% saturated fat, high in Vitamins B12, C, D, iron and several key minerals. Pasture-raised pigs assure greater nutrition for our bodies.
Optional: To make your own spiced chorizo
If you wish to make your own chorizo, great!! (Here’s one recipe, to which I recommend adding 2-1/2 teaspoons sea salt.) Try to find a local pig farmer, and buy your pork in bulk! (This farm is our local source for bulk pasture-raised pork. We buy about 50 lbs at a time, pick it up at the farmer’s market and eat it most mornings for breakfast. It it THE best pork we’ve ever eaten.) This approach saves money and works well for farmers. US Wellness Meats is another great source, for those of you who need to order your meat.
Fall in love with chorizo this fall 🙂 if you haven’t already!
Leftovers of Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
If you have leftovers of Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash, they keep well. You can cover them and store in the fridge for a few days.
To reheat, place in a covered oven-proof casserole dish, and warm in a low temperature oven, about 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for 20 minutes.
Print Recipe
4.97 from 33 votes
Chorizo-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash {Keto, Paleo, Primal & GAPS, with Whole30 variation}
For Whole30 and dairy-free Paleo version, simply omit the cheese on top (which is the final step of the recipe). This recipe is lovely with or without cheese.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course: DInner
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: chorizo, keto, low carb, paleo, spaghetti squash, stuffed
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 551kcal
Author: Megan
Cost: $11
Equipment
baking dish
oven
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1 pound chorizo sausage bulk
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese aged, optional: omit for Whole30/Paleo/dairy-free version
- ½ cup heavy cream or cultured sour cream for GAPS, or coconut cream for Whole30/Paleo/dairy-free
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon fat of choice
- ½ teaspoon baking soda, sifted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place whole spaghetti squash in oven (uncut). Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven with two hot pads and place on cutting board.
Using a hot pad in one hand and a large knife in the other, cut squash in half lengthwise. (Or let it cool slightly first.) Scoop out seeds from each side. Rub each hollow with fat of choice (so the flesh is lightly coated).
Place halves upside down in casserole dish. Bake an additional 25 minutes.
While squash bakes, make filling. In large bowl combine chorizo, cream, coconut flour and baking soda. Stir well to mix. (The mixture will lighten and get easier to mix as you work the ingredients together.)
Sprinkle sea salt lightly over the cavity of each squash half. Fill each half of the squash with meat mixture. Place squash halves back into casserole dish (face up this time!) Bake in preheated oven an additional 30 minutes.
Top with optional cheese and bake 10 minutes more.
To serve, cut each half in half width-wise with a large knife, so you'll have four servings, each served within it's "shell." (You may also scoop out the flesh if you prefer, to plate the squash.) Top with optional fresh cilantro and/or green onions. Serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 77g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 1908mg | Potassium: 529mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Calcium: 437mg | Iron: 2.3mg
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