Ingredients:

  • 1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, ensure it’s gluten-free)

For the Pesto Sauce:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (ensure it’s gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Protein Topping:

  • Grilled chicken or shrimp (seasoned to your liking)

Instructions:

Preparing the Spaghetti Squash:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife.
  3. Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits from the center using a spoon.
  4. Brush the cut sides of the spaghetti squash with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
  5. Place the squash halves, cut side down, on a baking sheet.
  6. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the flesh is tender and can be easily scraped with a fork into “spaghetti-like” strands.
  7. Once cooked, use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash into strands. Keep the spaghetti squash strands warm.

Preparing the Pesto Sauce:

  1. In a food processor, combine the basil, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts, and minced garlic.
  2. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
  3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Process to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Serving:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti squash with the prepared pesto sauce until it’s well coated.
  2. If desired, top the dish with grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
  3. Serve your Spaghetti Squash with Pesto hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and additional pine nuts or basil leaves if you like.

This gluten-free Spaghetti Squash with Pesto is a flavorful and satisfying dish, and it’s an excellent choice for a healthy and delicious meal. Enjoy!

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