Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

If you’re in a need of an easy low-carb dinner, try these spaghetti squash burrito bowls! They require just 15 minutes of prep and feature a high protein Greek yogurt adobo sauce that can be meal prepped for the week ahead. So grab all the taco fillings and a few spaghetti squash so we can get cooking.

I think most people look at spaghetti squash and think “I have no idea how to cook that,” which is fair because they’re basically a giant yellow mysterious gourd.

After today, however, you can no longer use that excuse! I’m here to teach you how to make the ever-delicious spaghetti squash burrito bowls of your dreams. These bowls are filled with all of your favorite burrito bowl ingredients—bell pepper, onion, black beans, the list goes on.

Everything is layered perfectly inside, tucked away in all of its mix-in glory. The topping? Shredded Mexican cheese, of course! Mix things up for your next Taco Tuesday and enjoy a yummy burrito boat. Trust me, you’ll be happy you tried it.

grab these ingredients

We’ll use common burrito bowl/taco ingredients inside our spaghetti squash. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements!

• Spaghetti Squash: For this recipe, two spaghetti squashes will give us four servings. Look for medium sized-ones. Somewhere between a football and a softball.
• Olive Oil: For cooking everything perfectly! Avocado oil works too.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt: These get added to the squash before cooking to infuse the “spaghetti” strands with flavor.
• Green Bell Pepper: Any color bell pepper will work but I like green for the contrasting color.
• White Onion: This is one of the more mild onions. Yellow onion will work in a pinch.
• Black Beans: One 15-oz can of black beans will add protein and flavor. Remember to drain first!
• Corn: Look for plain canned corn without added flavors or roasting.
• Shredded Mexican Cheese: I like to use the Mexican blend to make sure all of the cheese bases are covered but you could use just cheddar.
• To serve: For serving, set out salsa, sliced avocado, and your favorite hot sauce!

For the sauce, you’ll just need a handful of ingredients to create smoky, creamy deliciousness.

• Plain Greek Yogurt: This will serve as the base for the sauce. It’s a great way to sneak in extra protein!
• Adobo Sauce: This is the sauce from a can of chipotles packed in adobo sauce. It’s usually found in the ethnic aisle of the grocery store.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best!
• Lime Juice: Add a dash of lime juice for a tangy twist that pairs perfectly with the other flavors.
• Salt: Finally, salt to taste!

How to make spaghetti squash boats

Spaghetti squash taco boats are deceivingly simple. They seem like they’d be complicated, but they’re actually so easy! They only require 15 minutes of prep time. Jump to the recipe card for full instructions!

Step 1: Prep the Squash
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle the inside with 2 tbsp of olive oil, then sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, and salt. Rub to coat evenly.

Step 2: Roast the Squash
Roast for about 30 minutes or until fork tender but still a little firm. When finished, flip over and allow to cool enough to touch. Leave the oven on.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
While the squash cooks, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pepper and onion, stirring, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
While the squash cooks, make your sauce by stirring together all of the sauce ingredients.

Step 5: Spaghettify the Squash
Use a fork to scrape strands from the inside of the spaghetti squash. Transfer the strands to a separate bowl, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh in the squash to support your bowls.

Step 6: Assemble
Layer the sautéed peppers and onions, corn, beans, sauce, spaghetti squash strands, and cheese into the hollowed-out squash bowls.

Step 7: Melt the Cheese
Return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Optional burrito boat add-ons

There are various ways to switch up this recipe and transform it into your own! What’s great about these boats is the fact that they can be personalized for each individual. Does someone need more veggies? Sneak ’em in! Does another person want extra protein? Double up in their bowl. Each squash can be totally customized. Here are some ideas!

• Add protein: While these burrito bowls are deliciously meat-free, you can add an animal protein if that’s up your alley. Crumbled tofu and grated tempeh are also delish (like this tempeh ground “beef”!)
• Add veggies: Need to sneak extra veggies into your diet? This is a great meal to do so! Double up on peppers, add tomatoes, include zucchini, or sneak in other veggies that you may like!
• Veganize the boat: For a vegan-friendly meal, skip the dairy cheese in favor of a lactose-free option! Go with a non-dairy Greek yogurt or even a vegan sour cream for the sauce portion of the recipe.