If you are looking for some low carb comfort food, try this keto Mexican spaghetti squash casserole. Spaghetti squash noodles are mixed with chicken, beans and other tasty ingredients to give you a creamy, cheesy keto casserole. Each serving has only 5.3g net carbs.
You might also like this low carb breakfast spaghetti squash casserole recipe!
We did not grow any spaghetti squash this year but now that they are popping up at Aldi every week I started craving them. If you have never tried spaghetti squash I urge you to try it because it’s fun to eat, delicious, healthy and pretty low carb.
Today I made this keto Mexican spaghetti squash casserole and it does not disappoint. I mixed the spaghetti squash in with cooked chicken and other ingredients to make a creamy mixture that is topped with cheese. I froze the leftovers for a quick low carb lunch too!
Is Spaghetti Squash Low Carb?
Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta but it does have carbs. A cup of cooked spaghetti squash has 41.9 calories, 10g carbs and 2.2g of fiber. Therefore it has 7.9g of net carbs per cup.
I like to make it with low carb ingredients so that you can have a smaller portion and still get that pasta experience. So in my opinion spaghetti squash is low carb and keto but you have to watch how much you eat of it.
I have lots of low carb spaghetti squash recipes on this blog if you too are a fan.
3 Ways To Cook Spaghetti Squash
Lately I cook spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot because it’s so easy however there 3 ways that I have cooked it and here they are.
- Instant Pot: You just stack the 2-4 cleaned squash halves in the pot (using the trivet that came with it), along with 1 cup of water and pressure cook for 5 minutes. Use the quick release to bring it down from pressure. Let cool then scrape out the insides.
- Microwave: Add the cleaned spaghetti squash to a baking dish with a little water and cook for 12 – 15 minutes until it is fork tender. Let cool before scraping out the insides.
- Baked in Oven: Cut and clean out the seeds of the spaghetti squash and place face down in a baking dish with a little bit of water. Bake in a 400°F oven for about 40 minutes. If you can pierce it with a fork it is done. Depending on the size of the squash it might take more time so cook a little longer if you don’t think it’s done.
How To Make This Keto Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
First of all the ingredients I used were cooked rotisserie chicken, black soy beans, salsa, spices, cheddar and gouda cheese, cream cheese and cooked spaghetti squash.
A note about the black soy beans: These are great for when you miss beans in Mexican foods like chili or this Mexican casserole. They have the black bean flavor but a ½ cup has only 1g net carbs. I have only used this Eden brand of black soy beans and they are great.
Mexican Squash Casserole In A Nutshell
- Cook spaghetti squash any way you wish and let cool. Scrape out the squash but keep the skins for when you bake it at the end.
- In a large skillet add the cream cheese, soy beans and chicken until the cream cheese is melted. Mix well and then add in the spaghetti squash, spices, ½ of the cheddar cheese and cilantro. Mix it well.
- Spoon into the squash shells and top with salsa.
- Then sprinkle gouda and remaining cheddar cheese then bake in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes. You want the cheese to get brown and melty.
- Garnish with additional cilantro if you wish or even add some sour cream.
A Note About The Cheeses I Used
Lately I have been in love with shredded gouda cheese. They sell it at Aldi now and it’s such a good melted cheese. I like it better than mozzarella because it’s a little stringy but not too much like mozzarella. So I like to mix it with another cheese that has a bit more flavor but might not be as creamy as the gouda.
Also I like to buy cheddar cheese in a big chunky and grate myself. They put an additive in the pre-shredded bags of cheeses that adds a few carbs. Also it doesn’t taste as good as cheese you buy in a brick in my opinion. I need to see if Aldi has a block of gouda cheese.
Spaghetti Squash Tip
One of the reasons I like making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot is that you can cook 2 whole squashes at once. I like to store cooked spaghetti squash in refrigerator for lots of low carb dishes like these:
- low carb goat cheese and walnut spaghetti squash
- coconut basil shrimp spaghetti squash
- keto spaghetti squash breakfast casserole
- low carb spaghetti squash pizza skillet
I hope you like this as much as I did. It was creamy, cheesy and full of all those Mexican casserole flavors. The spaghetti squash even gives it a hint of sweetness.
If you decide to freeze this, just scoop into containers after it’s baked and reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. The nutritional information for 1 serving is:
225 cals / 10.4g fat / 7.9g carbs / 2.6g fiber / 25g protein = 5.3g net carbs
Keto Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
If you are looking for some low carb comfort food, try this keto Mexican spaghetti squash casserole. Spaghetti squash noodles are mixed with chicken, beans and other tasty ingredients to give you creamy, cheesy keto casserole. Each serving has only 5.3g net carbs.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked spaghetti squash
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken breasts, chopped
- 4 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup shredded gouda cheese
- 2 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup canned black soy beans
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350° F.
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Cook your spaghetti squash any way you like. Read post for 3 way to cook it. Keep the shells/skins to use for serving.
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In the meantime, add cream cheese, chicken and soy beans to a large skillet and mix well once the cream cheese starts to melt.
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Next add in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the cilantro and mix well.
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Spoon into the spaghetti squash shells and cover with salsa.
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Then sprinkle the remaining cheddar and all of the gouda cheese and bake in a 350° F oven for 20-30 minutes. You want the cheese to be browned if possible.
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Sprinkle with remaining cilantro to garnish.
Recipe Notes
The nutritional information for 1 serving is:
225 cals / 10.4g fat / 7.9g carbs / 2.6g fiber / 25g protein = 5.3g net carbs
Amy Dong
Squash casseroles are on my radar this fall for sure. They’re such a great way to get that comfort food feeling, while staying low carb and healthier. Your flavor combination has got that zesty flair that takes it to the next level of deliciousness!
Debbie
My husband lives a low carb lifestyle and I am always looking for new creative dishes. I love anything that the vegetable is the serving vessel. The Mexican spaghetti spaghetti was fabulous. It had all the mexican seasonings in perfect balance and I Loved the gouda added to this. Thanks for such a great recipe, we will make this again. I even shared it to facebook and pinned it to be sure not to lose it LOL.
Rebecca Blackwell
Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite foods, but I’ve never tried filling it like this. It looked so good, I had to give it a try and it’s positively delicious. It’s hearty, and flavorful and sooo cheesy! YUM! Thanks for a great recipe!
Marisa F. Stewart
No sooner had I seen the recipe and read the ingredients that I pinned it. WOW!! We love our spaghetti squash but with the chicken and Mexican inspired spices it makes one heck of a dinner dish! It’s on Monday’s menu.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
This looks so yummy! I love those Mexican flavors and can’t quite believe it’s low carb! Will be making soon!
Veena Azmanov
I love the look, the creaminess and the cheesy flavor. This is divine and mouth melting.
Leslie Kiszka
I love the way you’ve used spaghetti squash for this recipe! It’s so bright and colorful, and that cheese is totally calling my name!
Tara
I’m not strictly Keto, but this is a great, healthy meal. I’d eat this any day of the week. Love the flavors and simplicity. A new way to eat spaghetti squash is always a hit!
Chef Dennis
Yum! This keto Mexican spaghetti squash casserole is simply mouthwatering! I don’t know what other word to use to describe its deliciousness. I am so loving this comfort food right now!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
I absolutely LOVE spaghetti squash and just how versatile it is! I’m totally loving that you made it into a Mexican casserole too! This looks like lunch for me this week for sure!
Sarah Smith
First tell me which camera do you use to click these amazing photos.? This recipe looks absolutely tempting. Do you mind if i use more cheese in this recipe? Just love it !Thank you for sharing – Do you have YouTube channel?