Mexican spaghetti squash casserole with ground turkey, black beans, corn and cheese. Easy to prepare with pantry staples, lower in carbs, and leftovers keep amazingly well!
Once you know how to cook spaghetti squash, there are so many delicious dishes to enjoy it in - including this Mexican spaghetti squash casserole!
Adding spaghetti squash to recipes is a great way to take traditionally heavy recipes and give them a slightly lighter spin!
Casseroles are so often 'heavy' and leave you feeling stuffed and bloated... but not this Mexican spaghetti squash casserole! It tastes totally indulgent thanks to the cheese, but secretly it's a lighter alternative to a traditional casserole!
Reasons You'll Love This Recioe
- it has delicious Tex Mex flavor thanks to the enchilada sauce and spices
- leftovers keep well, and you can even freeze it!
- it is easy to prepare (especially if you pre-cook your spaghetti squash)
- can be made vegetarian
Ingredient Notes
- spaghetti squash - you'll need cooked spaghetti squash for this recipe; cook it in the oven or in the Instant Pot and give it plenty of time to cool.
- ground turkey - can be swapped for ground chicken or ground beef. Leave it out for a vegetarian option, and add extra black beans
- black beans - you can use canned black beans, or cook your own black beans in the Instant Pot or on the stove top!
- eggs - help to ensure that it didn't end up too watery, and really help the casserole set up (particularly as it cools)
- mild enchilada sauce - you can use store bought or homemade enchilada sauce. We like Fronterra or La Victoria brands - they both worked great
- mild chili powder -
- cheese - mozzarella is fairly neutral in flavor and gets nice and creamy in the casserole as it cooks. Swap for cheddar, monterey jack, or get fancy with jalapeno havarti
Step by Step Directions
Cook Spaghetti Squash
Cook spaghetti squash (you can use my easy oven or Instant Pot methods). Scoop out seeds and shred them into noodles with a fork.
Cook Turkey
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook ground turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula and cooking until no pink remains (roughly 7 minutes). Cool slightly.
Combine
In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients, reserving ¾ cup of cheese. Scrape into a deep 9 X 13-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with the reserved ¾ cup of cheese.
Bake
Cover with foil or a reusable silicone lid and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, then bake for another 15 minutes, until casserole is cooked through and bubbling.
Serve
Allow casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. The longer it sits the more it sets up.
FAQ
Yes, just leave out the ground turkey. You can add in extra black beans if you wish to up the protein content.
Keep in mind that spaghetti squash does contain 10 g carbs per cup, but if you want to lower carbs in this recipe, leave out the corn & black beans, and try making a low carb enchilada sauce. Without the corn or black beans (but using regular enchilada sauce), this casserole has roughly 11 g net carbs.
We tested freezing this in individual portions (after baking all the way through), and it still tasted great, a little softer than the original but not in an unappetizing way. We have not tested freezing this casserole before baking. If yo do try it, let us know in the comments how it turns out!
Variations
While this Mexican spaghetti squash casserole is life-saving pantry staples recipe, you can definitely get creative with it. Fresh ingredients boost the flavor and nutritional value! Here are some fresh ingredients that go so well in this recipe:
- fresh tomatoes
- red onion
- bell peppers
- riced cauliflower or broccoli
- fresh corn
Storage
- Fridge - Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze - we tested freezing this in individual portions (after baking all the way through), and it still tasted great, a little softer than the original but not in an unappetizing way. To freeze, let cool completely then store inn an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Reheat - in the microwave until steaming hot, or in a covered casserole dish in the oven at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 lbs spaghetti squash cooked & cooled slightly; note 1
- 1 lb ground turkey note 2
- 2 bell peppers chopped into small pieces
- 11.5 oz can of corn drained; 341 mL
- 18 oz can of black beans drained & rinsed; 541 mL
- 4.3 oz can of green chiles 127 mL
- 18 oz can of diced tomatoes including juices; 541 mL
- 10 oz can of mild enchilada sauce 300 mL; note 3
- 1 tablespoon mild chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs note 4
- 2 cups cheese divided; mozzarella or monterey jack
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti squash - Cook spaghetti squash *see note 1. Scoop out seeds and shred into noodles with a fork.
- Cook Turkey - Heat oven to 350°F. Cook ground turkey in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula and cooking until no pink remains (roughly 7 minutes). Cool slightly.
- Combine - In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients, reserving ¾ cup of cheese. Scrape into a deep 9X13 inch casserole dish and sprinkle with the reserved ¾ cup of cheese.
- Bake - Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, until casserole is cooked through and bubbling.
- Serve - Allow casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. The longer it sits the more it sets up.
Tips:
- you'll need to cook the spaghetti squash ahead and cool well. Cook it in the oven or in the Instant Pot
- can be swapped for ground chicken or ground beef. Leave it out for a vegetarian option, and add extra black beans
- we like Fronterra or La Victoria brands
- eggs are crucial in helping the casserole set up
Nutrition Information
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