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Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats

Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats

Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats are a delightful and healthy twist on traditional tacos using spaghetti squash as the base.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 boats
Calories 322 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large saucepan
  • baking sheets

Ingredients
  

For the Squash

  • 3 medium spaghetti squash about 2 pounds each
  • 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 0.75 teaspoons ground black pepper

For the Filling

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean or chicken
  • 1 bunch scallions about 6, chopped, with white and green parts divided
  • 1 each red bell pepper cored and chopped
  • 1.5 tablespoons ground chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 can black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained
  • 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (14 ounces) in their juices
  • 0.75 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar Monterey jack, cheddar jack, or pepper jack cheese, divided
  • 1 each chopped fresh cilantro for serving
  • 1 each diced avocado for serving
  • 1 each plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roast the spaghetti squash according to this recipe for Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
  • Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, all of the white parts and half of the green parts of the green onion, bell pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until it is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the black beans and fire-roasted tomatoes. Increase the heat to high and cook until the mixture is thickened and most of the tomato juice has cooked off, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Stir in ½ cup of the shredded cheese.
  • Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to shred and fluff the inside flesh so it’s no longer attached to the walls and makes a “nest.” Divide the taco filling evenly among the boats, using a fork to lightly mix it with the spaghetti squash. Arrange the stuffed squash on baking sheets and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake until the cheesy is bubbly, about 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve hot, sprinkled with any desired toppings.

Notes

The squash can be roasted and “shredded” up to 1 day in advance. The entire dish can be assembled up to 1 day in advance as well. Bake as directed just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or gently in the microwave. I do not recommend freezing the fully assembled boats, as the spaghetti squash will become mushy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1boatCalories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 29gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 743mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5g
Keyword gluten free, Healthy Tacos, low-carb, squash recipes, Taco Spaghetti Squash, Vegetable Recipes
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