This spaghetti squash casserole is crunchy, saucy, and just a little unexpected.
If you’re anything like my sister, you may be giving me serious side-eye at the thought of a spaghetti squash casserole with pretzels and mustard. I convinced her to stick around and try a bite, and I’m so glad I did. The divine combo of mustard, sweet maple syrup, and melted cheese convinced us both to rethink what “normal” means when it comes to a casserole.
Spaghetti squash is a fun ingredient. It has a soft, noodle-like consistency but in veggie form, so you don’t get any of that heaviness you do with pasta. The juicy bits of shredded chicken, onion, and a hint of jalapeño are married together with layers of melty cheddar. But the real star of the show here is in the crushed pretzel topping. It gives the whole dish an unexpected crunch that perfectly offsets all of the other soft ingredients. It’s playful, it’s interesting, and it’s something you may not have ever tried before. So, give this one a chance to prove itself; it just might become your new go-to.
The crunch factor
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good casserole—but they can get really boring. All baked together in a dish, the ingredients often take on the same soft and scoopable texture. Normally, I turn to something like panko breadcrumbs or even crushed-up crackers to add a bit of dimension and crunch on top. Here, I decided to try pretzels, and it works just as well. This is where you can get creative and try different ingredients to up your crunch factor. You could even try crushed-up cornflakes or tortilla chips!
How do I store leftovers?
Transfer your leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. Just be aware that the pretzels will get soggy in storage!
Serving suggestions
Serve your spaghetti squash casserole with a simple main like some roast Chicken And Potatoes or a Baked Pork Tenderloin. If you have some squash leftover, you’re in for a treat. There are plenty of other great recipes you can use it with! I love this Cheeseburger Spaghetti Squash Casserole, this Spaghetti Squash Lasagna, and this BBQ Baked Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 2 cups shredded chicken breast
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1/4 cup celery diced
- 1/8 cup green onions diced
- 1-2 tablespoons jalapeños minced
- 3/4 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese grated and divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 1/2 cup low-sugar maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup crushed pretzels
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut your spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Lay it cut side down on a cookie sheet and bake until fork-tender (40-45 minutes).
- While the squash cooks, put a large pot of water to simmer. Once simmering, cook the chicken breast in the water for about 20-25 minutes. Do not cook at a rolling boil, as this will dry out the meat.
- Once the chicken is done, shred it with 2 forks and set aside.
- Toss the onion, celery, green onions, and jalapeños into a large bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup of the cheddar to the veggie mixture. Set the remaining 1/4 cup aside.
- Spray a 6-cup casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Once the squash has cooked, scoop out the "spaghetti" strands with a fork. Mix the squash, along with the shredded chicken, salt, pepper, and minced garlic, into the diced veggie and cheese mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the maple syrup and mustards. Combine with the squash mixture.
- Transfer everything to the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with the crushed pretzels and remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching closely during the last few minutes to make sure the pretzels do not burn. Serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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