This easy cheeseburger spaghetti squash casserole recipe has all the cheeseburger taste without the carbs! It’s a gluten free, healthy and family friendly dinner!
If you’re anything like me, and you’re spending these cold fall nights huddled under a blanket, longingly looking out the window at your covered-up grill, dreaming of the days when you got to make Cajun burgers with sweet potato buns for dinner, then this recipe is 4 U.
However, VRY VRY much unlike the typical burgers that we shove, stuff and CRAM our hungry faces with in the warmer months, this little burger-inspired delight? NO BUN.
Using spaghetti squash as a base for all the tomato-y-mustard-y-pickle-y-beef-y flavors of the traditional burg’ just makes sense for a few reasons:
It’s got a SUPER mild flavor that allows ALL aforementioned “y” flavors to SHINE.
It’s LACKING in the carb department. Considering, we all KNOW that the fall season is about eating ALL the baked goods, this is a very wise-life choice for our waistlines. You’re welcome.
Spaghetti squash is a “winter squash” annnnnd it’s basically winter. So, duh. We use it.
See also: we learned in the Hawaiian baked spaghetti squash casserole A-N-D healthy chicken noodle spaghetti squash casserole that comfort-food-flavored spaghetti squash casseroles are a “THING,” ANDANDAND they taste really delicious inside your nutritious-yummy-dinner-loving bellies.
So, summer flavor vibes. We have them. Except, like the cheeseburger quinoa casserole, they are mix and mingling all around a totally-cooler-weather-appropriate-casserole and making every single member of your family, liiike, RLY RLY excited about dinner.
What is it about casseroles that just fills your brain with cozy, warm vibes and leaves you in a general state of BLISS? Casseroles are like the chunky, over-size, comfy sweaters of the FOOD WORLD.
You just feel GOOD in them.
Eeerrr eating them.
Do not WEAR this hamburger casserole. Just making sure we’re on the same page.
Question for you: are you the kinda person who likes ALL the things on top of your burg or do you like to keep it PRETY simple?
Personally, I like simple: some onions, a little mustard, A LOT of ketchup (#KetchupAddict) equal amounts of cheese to ketchup (read: OOEY GOOEY AND SO MELTY PLEASE AND THANKS) and a FEW pickles for a little vinegary-tangy kick.
Um. And beef. OBVI.
So, ‘cause I am simple folk like that, this little casserole is filled with ALL those flavors. It’s got tomato sauce and tomato paste mixed together to give you every single tomato-y ketchup vibe that you crave, along with a swirl of zippy mustard, a mish-mash of zesty diced onions and a PUNCH of tender ground beef.
With cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.
I know some people have VRY VRY strong opinions about pickles on burgers, so they’re a topping. A topping that is HIGHLY recommend to be PILED on top of your casserole. Just FYI.
Let’s all quit longingly staring out the window at the forlorn, lonely grill and get our heads in the DINNER GAME.
There’s no time to waste when summer and winter food are about to collide in a way that is going to make you feel like the family-friendly-healthy-but-delicious dinner MVP.
FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: SMART POINTS: 10
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Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
What a fun idea! Haven’t had spaghetti squash in (years!)
Taylor Kiser says
WHAT?! You gotta change that!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
I love this idea!! May have to work on my kids a bit, but this sure does have a lot of great flavor!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Lane! I bet your kiddos will gobble it up! 🙂
Chelsea @ Healthy Fabulous Life says
This will satisfy any cheeseburger cravings for sure! Can’t wait to load this casserole up with toppings!
Taylor Kiser says
Toppings for LIFE! Thank you!
Jessica says
I’m always looking for new ways to prepare spaghetti squash! Love these flavors!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Jessica!
Linda says
This was really good! I used ground turkey since we rarely eat beef and it still had lots of flavor. Thank you for a great idea!!
Taylor Kiser says
Yay! So glad you loved it Linda!
Robin says
Many spaghetti squash recipes are boring but this came out tasty. I did not have enough spaghetti squash so I added cooked spaghetti to extend it. My family enjoyed it and I will make this again. Pickles or relish to top are essential. Yum…very satisfying!
Taylor Kiser says
Totally agree about pickles! Glad you enjoyed!
Janis says
I made this delightful recipe and LOVED IT!!
I used hot Chinese powdered mustard instead of prepared mustard and I
used rice vinegar instead of regular vinegar.
OMG This is an amazing dish!
Very unusual flavor layerings and very very delicious. I’m addicted.
Thanks for your great recipes.
Taylor Kiser says
Yay!! So glad you liked it!!