This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Hands down, this is the BEST spaghetti squash dish.
I will admit, I pretty much love spaghetti squash in every which way it can be served it up. Itโs one of my favorite veggies, and about the only veggie I can truly eat in place of a carb like pasta. I know that my cousin Abby actually prefers spaghetti squash over real spaghetti. Iโm not sure I can go that far, because well, real pasta will always be the best, but spaghetti squash is high on my list of favorite foods!
Why is THIS recipe the best though? Because itโs SO simple, SO easy, super healthy, and yet SO freaking good.
AND itโs got a grand total of SEVEN ingredients. Yes, please! Just spaghetti squash, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, swiss chard, parmesan, salt and pepper. Like the most basic ingredients, but I promise, itโs the best. Itโs Italian made super healthyโฆand who wouldnโt be totally down with that.
So you guys! Aside from the pasta, I also have to tell you some random things. Random Gilmore Girls things. I finally finished the new Gilmore Girls, a Year in a Life. It only took from Thanksgiving until now for me to finish, but you have to understand, I practically watch ZERO TV, so really itโs a miracleย I ever finished. I somehow even managed to not let the internet spoil the outcome, which was probably one of the hardest things ever since it was EVERYWHERE.
Anyway, I watched all four seasons, and guys, I dunno. I donโt want to spoil it for anyone who has yet to watch, but Iโm not sure about the ending. I mean, donโt get me wrong I LOVED every minute of it and want to watch it over and over (read: need more time), butย the ending threw me a bit. The good news is that the ending left A LOT to be told, meaning more episodes are a must. I mean, right? Hoping someone high up at Netflix is possibly reading because I SO want more episodes.
You guys are with me, right?
Also, do you think Lorelai and Rory would partake in โHealthy Januaryโ Iโm kind of thinking itโs just not in them. What would life without doughnuts, pop-tarts, pizza, and burgers be for the Gilmore Girls? Yeah, they could never.
So ahh, anyway. This spaghetti squash! Other than the fact that itโs delicious and healthy, it also includes some of my favorite Italian flavors. Garlic, red pepper flakes and parmesan. I know, that some of you may think the one cup of parmesan is a little indulgent, but when eating all spaghetti squash for dinner, you gotta add the cheese. You just have to!
Although, if any of you vegan eaters are wanting to make this dish, I think subbing this vegan parmesan would be incredible. It will not melt into the pasta like real parmesan, but the flavors it will give are going to be SO GOOD. So if you are at all opposed to cheese, I high recommend going this route. Then this dish would be one hundred percent vegan โ cool. cool.
The rest is honestly so simple. Roast your spaghetti squash, cook the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper until fragrant and the garlic has caramelized. Add the rainbow chard vegetable, the squash and the cheese and toss, toss, toss.
Done.
Eat. YUM.
The rainbow chard was a last-minute addition. Iโve been eying it on the grocery store shelf for the last couple of weeks and wracking my brain for a fun way to use it, itโs just so pretty. But for some reason I just could not think of a fun or different way to use it up. I kept thinking about using it in soup, but kind of felt like, โbeen there done thatโ. Then, as I was planningย this healthy version ofย Spaghetti Squash Aglio E Olio, I knew that the chard would be the perfect green addition to round out this already veggie packed meal!
If you wanted to add a little protein to the dish, Iโd recommend some garlic shrimp or roasted chicken. You could also add lentils for a veggie option!
I am all about all the pasta thoughโฆor I mean squash, but I swear this gluten-free option tastes just like pasta. HONEST.
Spaghetti Squash Aglio E Olio with Rainbow Chard.
Ingredients
- 1 large or 2 medium spaghetti squash, halved + seeds removed
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt and pepper
- 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 bunch rainbow chard, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil all over the cut sides of the spaghetti squash and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side up on a baking sheet and roast about 30 to 45 minutes, or until the squash is just tender enough to scrape into strands.
- Meanwhile, place a large skillet over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil, garlic, and crushed red peppers flakes. Cook, stirring often for 5-8 minutes or until the garlic is caramelized and fragrant. Stir in the chard and season with salt and pepper. When the squash is done cooking, scrape it into strands and toss it with the garlic oil and 1/4 cup water. Add the parsley and parmesan and toss again to coat.
- Divide the pasta among bowls and serve with fresh parsley and parmesan.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
And since this is an almost completely veggie meal, weย get to eat it allโฆno sharing necessary. <โyup, for sure.
Made this with a side of buckwheat noodles because I knew my son wouldn’t eat the squash. Ended up mixing the two in our plates, and topped it with feta, bacon crumbles and toasted pine nuts. Also added lemon juice to the olive oil and garlic sauce. Family loved it! Husband said to tell you he’s a very picky eater (true) and won’t try any new recipes unless they are Tieghan’s. I rely heavily on your recipes because they are always precise and turn out exactly as you say they will…thank you!
Hey Maria,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was a winner! xxT
This was so good!! I swapped the water with white wine and added spicy Italian sausage to make it into a bit heartier family dinner, and served with homemade bread. My husband, parents, and toddler all loved itโthis is definitely on my make again list!
Hey Addie,
Wonderful! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! Happy Halloween! ๐
The flavor is good, but it was very oily, wonder if I did something wrong?
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! It’s meant to be oily, that’s the name of the dish:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this recipe and my family loved it! I loved it too if course and saving this one for the books.
Hey there,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Once the spaghetti squash is cooked, this comes together very quickly and easily. I was glad for the healthy side dish, but wish it had just a bit more flavor. I think I’ll use feta cheese instead of (or in addition to) the parmesan next time, for a bit more zip. But overall, a yummy, easy, and healthy recipe!
Hi Blayre,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xx
Seriously had a spaghetti squash on the counter and Swiss chard in the fridge – never expected a search combining these two things would yield such an amazing recipe!! I reeeaallyyy let the garlic infuse in the oil and WoW! I skipped adding the extra water just because when it came to that step I tasted it and liked it just as it was!. Will def make again!
Hey MaryAnne,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that you enjoy this recipe, I so appreciate you giving it a try! xxT
This is such a great fall recipe! I halved it and added grilled garlic shrimp which was such a great suggestion. Perfect with some white wine ?
Hey! Thank you SO much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xxTieghan
Oh my gosh! I loved this! Made this tonight and ate it all!! I only had one small spaghetti squash so I used a little less garlic and used vegan Parmesan ( cashews and nutritional yeast) to make it vegan. Delicious! I will definitely be making it again โฆ and again.
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, so glad you enjoyed it! ๐ xTieghan
Just made this for dinner. So simple yet so delicious! To make it a quick weeknight meal, I made the spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot using the pressure cooker – cooked in 15 min, so even better! Thanks for the tasty recipe!
Thank you for trying this one, Erin! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Iโd love to read a review by someone whoโs actually made the recipe??? Why do people leave reviews for recipes theyโve not tried. Thatโs not a review, thatโs a comment. Irritating.
Hi Shauna! They leave reviews based off of the photos I take and the recipe itself. I hope you understand.. xTieghan
Made this tonight! First time making spaghetti squash ever & this was amazing!!! And never knew what to make with Swiss chard either. Canโt wait to make it again! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much Bridget! xTieghan
Oh my gosh that was amazing. I was searching for what to do with my chard and then I found this recipe. I also had a spaghetti squash on hand and I wasnโt sure what to do with it. And then this. Yum! Even my husband gave it a 10. Thanks for sharing your amazing recipes.
So perfect! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you Jill! I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes! xTieghan
I have made this recipe so many times and it is perfect. Unfortunately, I bought all of the ingredients to make this dish and purchased kale instead of chard! Don’t like it quite as much, but the substitution still worked out great.
Thank you so much Anna! xTieghan
I didn’t have parmesan, so replaced it with cheddar but oh my God!!! What a delicious meal! I didn’t expect that good of a harmony between the ingredients. This is not a simple dish but a gurme dish ๐ thank you for sharing.
Thank you for trying this Ebru! I am so glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This was delicious! I’ll be making it again.
Thank you Nancy! X Kelly