Air fryer roasted spaghetti squash is one of my favorite meals. Using the air fryer provides a perfectly roasted dinner and a cooler form of cooking in the heat of summer…or to save time and energy any month of the year! I highly recommend making spaghetti squash in an air fryer!
After my husband passed away, I had to adjust my ways of cooking for just me! The first meal I made for myself, was roasted spaghetti squash. It’s one of my favorites and something he didn’t at all like. So I seldom made it. And now I make it often.
I’m gonna be honest…I’m one of those measure with my heart type of cooks. I will provide you with the basic ingredients I used. But please go with your taste preferences and your heart of measurements.
If it’s too hot in the kitchen, use a different appliance!
On the day I decided to make the roasted spaghetti squash, it was an incredibly hot and humid 92 degree day. So, I chose to roast the spaghetti squash in the air fryer instead of the oven. Definitely a great choice. It was super easy and very convenient.
After cutting the squash in half lengthwise-using a good sharp paring knife works best. I cleaned out the center and discarded the seeds. Then I brushed the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkled each side with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika-use measurements to suit your tastes.
I preheated the air fryer at 360 degrees for 5 minutes. Then I put the spaghetti squash in the air fryer basket (cut side up) and cooked it for about 25 minutes, until the flesh became fork tender.
Note: Times may vary depending on the size of the spaghetti squash and air fryer.
Delicious filling…
While the squash was cooking, it was time to make the super delicious filling. I kind of searched my refrigerator and freezer for ingredients. I was sure to include spinach as one of my ingredients. Truth be told, I LOVE a creamy spinach filling in spaghetti squash-it’s my favorite combination!
In a small sauté pan, I combined…
- butter-1 tablespoon
- olive oil-hefty drizzle
- frozen spinach-about 2 cups
- minced garlic-about 2 tablespoons
- veggie cream cheese spread-about 1/2 of the little container
- whipped feta cheese with honey-about 2-3 heaping spoons full
- grated parmesan cheese-a handful & more for sprinkling on top
- dried dill-1 teaspoon
- salt & pepper-to taste
- slices of provolone cheese-reserve for later
Note: These are approximate measurements.
I sautéed the spinach and garlic. And then stirred in the remaining ingredients over medium-low heat until combined and the cheeses melted. Then I set the mixture aside while the squash finished cooking.
Roasting tomatoes in the air fryer
While the squash and filling were cooking, I put some cherry tomatoes into a bowl and coated them with olive oil, salt and pepper. I added the tomatoes into the air fryer basket around the spaghetti squash and roasted both for the last 5 minutes. Those cherry tomatoes became sweet and juicy little nuggets of tomato deliciousness! So good, they could be eaten like candy! I definitely have to make roasted cherry tomatoes more often.
Pull those roasted spaghetti squash strands and prepare to fill
When the squash was done, I used a fork to pull spaghetti like strands of flesh from the shell and left them in the shell (saves on extra dishes). I then topped the squashy strands of spaghetti with the creamy spinach filling, roasted tomatoes and slices of provolone cheese. Then back into the air fryer to heat the filling and melt the cheese.
Note: Don’t be surprised if the air fryer creates a breeze that causes the slices of cheese to become airborne inside the air fryer…removing them from the items they were intended to cover. LOL, it was like a provolone kite! No worries, just scoop the cheese up (while still warm) and place it back onto the spaghetti squash.
Air Fryer Roasted Spaghetti Squash Dinner-Part 1
Remove the spaghetti squash from the air fryer, add a sprig of fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if you would like. Then dig in and enjoy! You can serve this right in the shell, or scoop it all out and serve on a dinner plate if you’d prefer.
Note: The spaghetti squash I bought was really large, so only one half fit in the basket at a time (I have a smaller air fryer). Which worked out perfectly, because while I was enjoying the 1st half for my dinner…I put the second half into the air fryer to roast. Then, after it cooled, I wrapped it up with some of the roasted tomatoes and put it in the refrigerator for my dinner the next day.
This creation was incredibly delicious…like way beyond my expectations! It was savory and a bit sweet, so creamy and luscious with crave worthy garlic over tones and subtle herbal notes. I could eat this several times a week and be happy every time.
Making roasted spaghetti squash and roasted cherry tomatoes 
Ingredients for the creamy spinach filling for the spaghetti squash 
Air fryer roasted spaghetti squash and roasted cherry tomatoes 
Making strands of spaghetti squash 
Roasted spaghetti squash 
Adding the creamy spinach filling to the spaghetti squash 
Adding roasted cherry tomatoes to the creamy spinach filling 
Adding melted provolone 
Air Fryer Roasted spaghetti squash with creamy spinach filling, roasted cherry tomatoes and melted provolone 
Roasted spaghetti squash with creamy spinach filling, roasted cherry tomatoes and melted provolone with a sprig of fresh basil
Spaghetti Squash Dinner Part 2
For dinner the next night, I changed the filling in the spaghetti squash by using other ingredients in my refrigerator.
I used the reserved roasted cherry tomatoes from the night before, added them to the strands of roasted spaghetti squash, along with some veggie cream cheese spread, cubes of leftover ham (chopped) and slices of swiss cheese (chopped). Then I placed the filled spaghetti squash half into the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes until it was heated through and the cheeses became all melty and delicious! I sprinkled the top with dried thyme and definitely enjoyed it!
This version was equally delicious and so satisfying with creamy, cheesiness and smoky flavors! Though, if I make it again…I would add more of the dried thyme into the filling instead of just on top. That herbaceous flavor was fabulous!
Air fryer roasted spaghetti squash is a frugal and delicious meal
The spaghetti squash I used weighed over 3 pounds and at 99 cents a pound, it was a heck of a bargain that created 2 meals for me. Considering I used various items already in my refrigerator, they were definitely 2 very frugal and delicious meals! And I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of each one!
Note: The Vegetable Cream Cheese from Food Lion is ahhhhmazzzing! I highly recommend it! I love it on everything bagels, but I also love using to add extra flavor and creamy texture in many different dishes. https://foodlion.com/product/food-lion-garden-vegetable-cream-cheese-spread-8-oz-tub/296607
Well folks, those are my 2 favorite spaghetti squash meals. I hope you create some of your own…just let me know in the comments!
Until next time…Take Care. Be Safe. Be Happy!
Hugs,
Chauncey
