Asian Spaghetti Squash

By Updated on

Asian Spaghetti Squash is made simply with sausage, veggies, hoisin sauce, and sriracha. This easy, healthy weeknight meal is bursting with flavor and guarantees to satisfy the whole family!

184 CAL 26.8g CARBS 2.1g FAT 14g PROTEIN
Leave a Comment

The first time I experimented with this recipe, I thought I had lost my mind. Seriously. I mean, spaghetti squash with sausage, hoisin sauce, and sriracha?! But let me just say that I am so glad I was feeling a little wild that day because it seriously worked out in my favor. This Asian Spaghetti Squash recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious.

As you know, I’m constantly searching for lighter versions of carb-heavy meals. This has led me to a whole lot of spaghetti squash dishes since this type of squash is frequently used in the health food community as an alternative to pasta. For reference, 100 grams of spaghetti squash contains just 7 grams of carbs, while the same amount of your average pasta contains 25 grams. That’s a huge difference!

More Ideas You'll Love
50 Amazing Stir Fry Recipes

50 Amazing Stir Fry Recipes

Stir Fry is the best choice when you are looking for a fast, fresh, and flavorful dinner. Find 50 delicious recipes PLUS tips and tricks for making a tasty stir-fry with any... Take me there!

If you’re craving some Asian-inspired flavors and are looking to keep the carb count low, Asian Spaghetti Squash with sausage is perfect for you. Ready from start to finish in under 45 minutes, this crave-worthy dish is great for any weeknight dinner or Sunday meal prep. Top it off with some fresh herbs and get ready to fall in love.

Looking for more tasty Asian-inspired veggies? Try these Crispy Asian Brussels Sprouts and Stir Fried Bok Choy.

Main Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Not only is this spaghetti squash recipe easy and delicious, it only requires a few simple ingredients to whip up. Let’s talk about what you’ll need to bring this dish to life.

  • Spaghetti Squash: This versatile and nutrient-dense veggie will serve as the base of our dish. When cooked, spaghetti squash can be pulled apart into what looks a lot like stringy noodles. This works with zucchini noodles and rice noodles as well.
  • Ground Turkey Sausage: Make sure to use ground sausage, not sausage links or plain ground turkey. The ground sausage adds tons of rich, savory flavors to this sweet and spicy dish. Swap in pork sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey.Just add extra seasoning for plain ground meat.
  • Veggies: Fresh garlic and onions work together to enrich the flavor profile of this recipe, while spinach beefs up the nutrient value with plenty of vitamins and minerals. Feel free to use any leafy greens you prefer.
  • Hoisin Sauce: This sweet and spicy sauce is thick, dark, and frequently used in Cantonese cuisine to flavor meals. You can find it in the international aisle at any major grocery store. Teriyaki sauce could also work but it will be sweeter.
  • Sriracha: This Asian chili sauce adds a little bit of heat and a whole lot of flavor. If you’re worried about the spice level, you can reduce the amount by half. Sambal olek also work and red chili flakes can work in a pinch.

How to Pick the Best Spaghetti Squash

If you aren’t a spaghetti squash pro, choosing the right one can be a little daunting. Lucky for you, there are a few easy tricks I can share to help you pick the best spaghetti squash in the produce aisle.

First, you want to look for spaghetti squash that is golden yellow or dark yellow in color. It should feel firm to the touch and heavier than it looks. Don’t be afraid to pick up a few to compare their weights. The stem should also be firm and dry, and the squash should be free from cracks and soft spots.

Spaghetti Squash Recipe Variations

While this Asian Spaghetti Squash recipe is perfectly delicious without any alterations, it’s super easy to customize depending on what you’re in the mood for. Here are some of my favorite ways to make this dish your own:

  • Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai. Transform this delicious dish into low-carb Pad Thai by swapping out the sauce with Pad Thai sauce and adding chopped peanuts, bean sprouts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
  • Switch up the veggies. You can add or remove vegetables however you choose. Some of my favorites to toss into this recipe include broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, scallions, and mushrooms.
  • Brighten it up. To brighten up this flavorful dish and take it to the next level, try adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice or some fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
  • Swap the hoisin sauce. If you can’t find hoisin sauce or simply aren’t a fan, try swapping it out for soy sauce or sesame oil (or both). If you still want the sweetness that the hoisin sauce brings to the table, add a bit of honey or brown sugar as well.

You can serve this tasty dish all on its own as a complete dish or add some flavorful garnishes like chopped peanuts, fresh herbs, and lime juice. If you want to pair it with a side dish, I recommend something complimentary like these Sauteed Snow Peas or Roasted Asian Broccoli.

If you want to avoid watery spaghetti squash, there are a few methods you could try. First, you could salt the squash for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess moisture prior to cooking it. Alternatively, you could sauté your cooked spaghetti squash noodles in a dry pan to draw out some of the moisture.

If you don’t have or don’t want to use ground turkey sausage, you have a few options. You could swap it out for another type of sausage, chicken breast, shrimp, or even tofu. Really, any protein source of your choice would taste great with this dish.

Sriracha is a chili sauce made with red jalapeno peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. It’s considered to be moderately spicy, but only around half as spicy as Tabasco sauce. If you’re unsure of how much spice you can handle, try adding just a little bit at a time and tasting as you go until you’ve reached your comfort level.

The Recipe
Asian spaghetti squash with crumbled sausage, spinach, spicy sauce, and cooked spaghetti squash noodles.

Asian Spaghetti Squash

184 CAL 26.8g CARBS 2.1g FAT 14g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 15 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 30 Min
Leave a comment
  • Print
  • Download
  • Send to your inbox

Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 spaghetti squash (medium, about 4 cups)
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey sausage (not links, or ground turkey)
  • 2 tbsp Hoisin sauce

Like this Recipe? Try our Meal Plans!

Slender Kitchen Meal Plans
  • Weekly Meal Plans
  • Easy Shopping List
  • Healthy, Low Carb, & Vegetarian
  • Nutritional Information

Instructions

(Hide Media)

Switch to prevent your screen from going dark.

1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes until tender. You can also microwave the spaghetti squash. Pierce it all over with a fork or sharp knife. Microwave for 10-15 minutes until tender to the touch. Carefully cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Then use a fork to scrape out the spaghetti squash.

2

In a saute pan over medium high heat, warm the olive oil. Spray with cooking spray and add the onions and garlic. Cook for five minutes or until it becomes fragrant and begins to soften. Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 minutes more.

3

Add the sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until cooked through and slightly browned.

4

Add the sriracha and hoisin sauce and stir together. Let hang out and simmer for 2 minutes.

5

Stir in the spaghetti squash and serve.

Equipment

This equipment section may contain affiliate links to products we recommend.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup (248g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 184
Calories from Fat 19
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.1g
3%
Saturated Fat 0g
0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 751mg
33%
Total Carbohydrate 26.8g
9%
Dietary Fiber 6.2g
25%
Sugars 2.9g
Protein 14g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

user image
About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
† We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
0 Comments
On Asian Spaghetti Squash
user image
Instagram Icon
Did you make this?

Snap a picture and show us what you made on Instagram or Facebook. Tag us using @SlenderKitchen or #slenderkitchen.