spaghetti squash with mushroom rosemary sauce
As promised I have a paleo and vegan entrée today. This recipe is made with spaghetti squash and topped with savory mushroom sauce with caramelized onion, roasted garlic and rosemary. It may be low carb but it is full of flavor.
You know those little labels on the shelf at the store that describe a bottle of wine? Those are called shelf talkers, and if you ask me, they are both annoying and amazingly effective. As much as I cringe at the idea of them in their J. Peterman view of the world, I can easily go from skeptical to sold if one is well crafted enough.
I’ve noticed, and you probably have seen, a shelf talker or two that describes a wines as “impeccably structured” or “fruit forward.” Well, in describing this recipe today, I’m going to borrow that expression “fruit forward” and bastardize it a bit and say that this spaghetti squash recipe is “flavor forward.” In other words, it is POW-Woza-knock-your-socks-off-you-wont-even-believe-it-is-vegan flavorful. Hows that for a shelf talk?
I used the magic roasted garlic puree I made earlier this week, and some of the resulting roasted garlic oil. I am convinced that is the real key to the success of this recipe. The roasted garlic puree acts as a thickener. You’ll just love it.
I hate to do this to you guys, but seriously, I have to go. I don’t want to leave it at that, since this recipe is just delicious and I haven’t even begun to describe the caramelized onions, mushrooms and rosemary in perfect harmony. But I do since my daughter is having her very first sleep over party tonight! Yikes! I have some baking to do and much more. Before I go, I will leave you with my 15-second shelf talker version of describing this recipe:
Four Stars! Food Spectator Rating 98:
This stunningly well built meat-free recipe combines the best of both worlds between a classic comfort food supper and new world style paleo cuisine. You’ll first notice the bright heady punch of rosemary on the nose followed by warm earthy undertones of sauteed mushroom and flavor-forward roasted garlic. The body is balanced by sweet caramelized onions and structure from low-carb spaghetti squash. Delight in the bright basil finish for a flavor to linger over.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever tried spaghetti squash?
Shelf talkers, love ’em or hate ’em? Or both!
Do you remember having or going to a sleep over party? Any tips would be appreciated.
Hope you all enjoy this recipe and have a great weekend.
Happy Cooking!
~Katie
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spaghetti squash with onions mushrooms and rosemary {paleo, vegan and gluten-free}
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven/Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
A paleo and vegan main course with spaghetti squash topped with mushroom and rosemary sauce. It is very flavorful and low carb.
Ingredients
- 2 medium spaghetti squash, about 4 1/2 pounds total
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil or roasted garlic oil
- 1 large sweet onion, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup No-chicken broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 to 3 tablespoons roasted garlic puree
- ¼ cup chopped basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Cut spaghetti squashes in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds and loose stringy pulp from the center cavity. Place halves cut-side-down the prepared baking sheet and roast until the squash is soft when you press down on it, 40 to 60 minutes total. Flip it over and try to scrape up the spaghetti-like flesh, to check if it is done. If it is loose and stringy it is done. It shouldn’t be watery. If it doesn’t come up easily, return to the oven and check again in ten minutes.
- Meanwhile, swirl oil in an unheated large heavy skillet, add onion and place over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is softening and starting to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add mushrooms, rosemary, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook stirring often until the mushrooms release their juices and the juices evaporate and a brown fond develops on the bottom of the skillet, 4 to 6 minutes. Whisk broth and garlic puree in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into the mushroom and onion mixture and bring to a boil. Cook until the sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Scrape spaghetti squash up from the shell with a fork. Serve squash topped with the sauce and chopped basil or parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups each
- Calories: 236
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 572 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 5 g
I have never tried squash spaghetti before! Definitely need to make this recipe… curious to know what it tastes like.
Yes give it a try. I love it, and it seems to be more popular than ever. Thanks so much for coming by Thalia.
A fantastic low carb dinner! Please double the portion of sauce for me. I love the lighting too.
I agree about the sauce Angie. It is so savory! Thank you for coming by.
OMG!! Just made this for dinner for meatless Monday. Could not be more pleased with how it turned out other than I wanted so much more!! I’m going to try the mushroom mixture on a toasted flatbread too. The garlic paste is amazing. You’ve got a winner here!
Cyndi, I am so happy to have your feedback. Thank you so much for coming back by to say so.
I can’t wait to try this recipe, but I have a few picky eaters that run from the table if they see onions in their food. Would it change the outcome of the dish if I puréed the onions after prior to adding the mushrooms,Rosemary, and salt and pepper?
That would be the perfect time to do it. They will be nice and caramelized at that point. Good luck Pamela.
Made this tonight and it was excellent! Thank you for the wonderful recipe. Sharing!
What causes the sauce to thicken if theres no cornstarch or other thing like it?
Hi Lauren, thanks for stopping by. The sauce thickens from reducing it. The garlic puree gives it a nice silky body too.
So amazing and comforting! This will go on our regular rotation.
★★★★★
My goodness that sauce! So rich and delicious yet light! Perfect for Fall dinner!
★★★★★
We love all of the fiber and good veggies in this recipe, plus the lovely, strong rosemary. Thank you!
★★★★★
This looks sooooo amazing, I can’t wait to get a spaghetti squash at the market and try it out!
★★★★★
This already looks so good but you throw that roasted garlic puree in there and I’m sold!
★★★★★