Spaghetti Squash Chili is one of the easiest spaghetti squash recipes for the microwave you'll find. It's roughly 30 minutes from start to dinner and also hot, hearty, and healthy.
If you're looking for healthy new spaghetti squash recipes this winter that will warm and comfort you and your entire family, look no further.
I guarantee this delicious and unique chili recipe will soon become a family favorite!
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Table of Contents Found Here
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- Spaghetti Squash (1-2 pounds)
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Ground Beef
- Salt and Pepper
- Red Beans
- Cannellini Beans
- Chili Powder
- Ground Cumin
- Cayenne Red Pepper
- Minced Garlic
- Hot Sauce (optional)
How to split and seed a spaghetti squash:
- Carefully insert a chef's knife into spaghetti squash, lengthwise. (See photo below)
- Grab the knife handle and as you would use a hammer hit the spaghetti squash firmly on the counter.
- The force of the squash hitting the counter with the knife inserted should be enough to split the spaghetti squash pretty evenly in half without too much extra knife work.
- I like to use an ice cream scoop to clean out all the seeds, but a large spoon with a sharper edge works equally well. (See photo below)
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How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave:
- Place a split and seeded spaghetti squash into a microwave safe dish, cut side down.
- Add approximately ¼ cup of water to the dish and cover with cling wrap.
- Poke a hole in the cling wrap to let the steam escape.
- Microwave on full power until the spaghetti squash is soft.
- Carefully uncover the squash and allow to cool until it's cool enough to handle.
- Scrape the interior of the cooked spaghetti squash with a fork to remove the strands, and discard the shell.
Health benefits of spaghetti squash:
- Spaghetti squash is very low in calories and is a great source of dietary fiber.
- It's naturally gluten-free and can be used as a substitute for pasta.
- Spaghetti squash is loaded with vitamins A and C. They also contain a higher source of B complex vitamins (folate, niacin, and B6) than their counterpart, a pumpkin.
How long does spaghetti squash keep?
- If kept in a cool dry area spaghetti squash can keep for up to 3 months.
- Purchase firm, non-blemished spaghetti squash, and one with a brownish stem, not green.
Additional spaghetti squash recipes:
- Baked Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash from The Crumbly Kitchen
- Spaghetti Squash Boats with Mozzarella Cheese from Know Your Produce
- Spaghetti Squash Soup (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
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Printable Recipe Card
Spaghetti Squash Chili
Ingredients
- 1 1-2 pound spaghetti squash, halved and seeded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 can (15 ounces) red beans, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans drained
- 1 large can (29 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- pinch cayenne red pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, or to taste
Instructions
To microwave the spaghetti squash:
- Carefully split the spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds.
- Place the spaghetti squash, cut side down in a microwave-safe container. Add approximately ¼ cup of water to the dish and cover with cling wrap.
- Microwave on full power until the spaghetti squash is soft. Carefully uncover and set aside until cool enough to handle.
To make the spaghetti squash chili:
- Add the oil to a large, heavy bottom, stock pot and saute the onion for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and brown, stirring occasionally.
- Add the salt, pepper, drained beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic to the pot and stir well.
- Scrape the strands from the cooked spaghetti squash and add them to the pot.
- Add the tomato sauce to the pot along with the hot sauce. Stir well and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for healthy microwave spaghetti squash chili as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I really love this idea! Such a perfectly satisfying meal!
Brandi says
Thank you for this recipe! I am on a low carb diet and constantly looking for new comforting recipes!
Renée says
That's awesome!
April says
Love this! It never occurred to me to put spaghetti squash in my chili, but it's such a good idea!
Renée says
Glad you like it, April. Thank you!