If you’re searching for a fun, delicious, and family-friendly meal that’s equal parts comfort and creativity, Spaghetti Boats might just steal your heart (and your dinner table). These edible boats are perfect for stuffing with savory spaghetti, hearty sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese. Whether you let spaghetti squash take center stage for a lighter twist, or opt for vibrant bell peppers, you’ll end up with a meal that delivers all the flavor of classic spaghetti, but in a charming, ready-to-serve package. This recipe is endlessly customizable and guaranteed to get big smiles—just wait until you pull the bubbly, golden Spaghetti Boats from the oven!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it wonderfully simple: a few basic ingredients come together in a magical way, and every item on the list plays a special role, whether it’s bringing flavor, color, or the cozy texture we crave from Spaghetti Boats. Don’t shy away from customizing with your favorite add-ins!
- Spaghetti squash or bell peppers: These form the edible vessel for our boats and provide either a low-carb option or a sweet, colorful crunch.
- Spaghetti noodles: The classic pasta base; feel free to swap with squash strands for fewer carbs or gluten-free needs.
- Olive oil: Adds flavor and helps brown the meat beautifully.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: Lets you choose between a traditional, meaty richness or a herby, sausage depth.
- Onion: Brings natural sweetness and soulful aroma to the sauce.
- Garlic: The essential flavor booster in any Italian-inspired dish.
- Marinara sauce: Adds juiciness, tang, and binds all the flavors.
- Italian seasoning: The classic blend of dried herbs for instant coziness.
- Salt and black pepper: Enhances and balances every element of the filling.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that irresistibly stringy, cheesy topping.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, nutty flavor and depth to each bite.
- Chopped parsley or basil: Delivers a fresh, colorful finish that wakes up the whole dish.
How to Make Spaghetti Boats
Step 1: Prep Your Boats
Start by choosing your favorite vessel. If using spaghetti squash, preheat your oven to 400°F, halve the squash, and scoop out the seeds. Lay them cut side down on a baking sheet and roast until tender. If bell peppers are your pick, just halve them lengthwise, remove seeds and ribs, and roast until they’re slightly softened but still holding shape. This kick-starts the sweetness and ensures your Spaghetti Boats are ready to be filled up!
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your spaghetti just until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Drain well and set aside. If you’re leaning into the low-carb vibe, you’ll scrape out the spaghetti squash strands instead—either way, you’re setting the stage for the hearty filling!
Step 3: Sizzle the Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the ground beef or sausage along with the diced onion, cooking until nicely browned and aromatic. Stir in the garlic and let it sizzle for a minute, then pour in your favorite marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let everything simmer gently so the flavors meld together into a cozy, bubbling sauce.
Step 4: Mix and Fill
In a big bowl, toss your cooked spaghetti (or squash strands) with the rich, meaty sauce. Now, generously heap this mixture into your prepared squash or pepper halves, nestling the filling gently but firmly so every bite will be deliciously loaded.
Step 5: Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle a generous blanket of shredded mozzarella and a dusting of Parmesan over each filled boat. Return them to the oven at 375°F and bake until the cheese melts to a bubbly, golden perfection. This is where Spaghetti Boats transform from tasty to totally irresistible!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, shower your Spaghetti Boats with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness. Serve them up hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up at this playful, hearty dinner.
How to Serve Spaghetti Boats
Garnishes
Add the final flourish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil right before serving. Not only does this add vibrant color, but it also lifts the flavors, balancing the richness of the cheese and sauce. A few extra shavings of Parmesan wouldn’t go amiss either!
Side Dishes
Spaghetti Boats are filling on their own, but they pair beautifully with a crisp green salad, some roasted broccoli, or classic garlic bread for soaking up extra sauce. For a lighter touch, try a tangy tomato-cucumber salad or some simple steamed vegetables on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining or just want a show-stopping weeknight dinner, arrange Spaghetti Boats on a big platter dotted with fresh herbs. You can also offer a build-your-own bar with different toppings like chopped olives, red pepper flakes, or sautéed veggies so everyone at the table can customize their own boat. It’s interactive and always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Spaghetti Boats keep quite well! Simply cool them to room temperature, wrap each boat individually or pack into airtight containers, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen even more after a night in the fridge.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Spaghetti Boats for future busy nights. Once they’ve cooled, wrap each portion tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze before baking with the cheese and finish in the oven straight from the freezer when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
To reheat, just pop the Spaghetti Boats in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F until heated through and the cheese is bubbly (about 20–25 minutes). Individual portions also reheat well in the microwave—just use a slightly lower power setting so the texture stays just right.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta or vessels?
Definitely! Feel free to swap in penne, rotini, or gluten-free noodles, or even use hollowed-out zucchini or small eggplants as the vessel for your Spaghetti Boats for an extra twist.
How do I make Spaghetti Boats vegetarian?
It’s an easy swap—use plant-based ground meat, or bulk up your sauce with sautéed mushrooms, chopped spinach, or lentils for a hearty vegetarian option that’s still full of flavor.
Can I prepare Spaghetti Boats ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the boats up to a day in advance. Simply cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake, then add a couple of minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
Is there a way to make Spaghetti Boats low-carb or gluten-free?
Absolutely! Using spaghetti squash as the base instead of pasta keeps things low-carb and gluten-free. You can also use certified gluten-free noodles if you prefer a traditional pasta bite.
What’s the best way to prevent watery boats, especially with squash?
After roasting the squash, lightly blot the strands with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture before mixing with the sauce. This keeps your Spaghetti Boats deliciously hearty and not soggy.
Final Thoughts
Spaghetti Boats are about bringing fun, comfort, and a little creativity to dinner time. I hope you give them a try and make them your own—there’s just something special about scooping into your own edible boat, savoring those cheesy, saucy bites. Gather your crew and set sail for a meal everyone will remember!
Print
Spaghetti Boats Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 halves)
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Spaghetti Boats are a delicious and creative way to enjoy a comforting Italian meal with a twist. This recipe combines the goodness of spaghetti squash or bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of meat sauce and cheese, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Spaghetti Squash or Bell Peppers:
4 medium spaghetti squash or 4 large bell peppers (halved and seeded)
Spaghetti Noodles:
8 ounces spaghetti noodles (or use squash strands)
Olive Oil:
1 tablespoon
Ground Beef or Italian Sausage:
1 pound
Onion:
1 small (diced)
Garlic:
2 cloves (minced)
Marinara Sauce:
1 (24-ounce) jar
Italian Seasoning:
1 teaspoon
Salt:
1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper:
1/4 teaspoon
Mozzarella Cheese:
1 cup shredded
Parmesan Cheese:
1/4 cup grated
Parsley or Basil:
chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Squash or Peppers: Roast spaghetti squash or bell peppers until tender.
- Cook Noodles: Boil spaghetti noodles until al dente.
- Make Meat Sauce: Brown beef with onion, garlic, marinara sauce, and seasonings.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix cooked noodles with meat sauce.
- Fill and Bake: Stuff squash or peppers with spaghetti mixture, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Add parsley or basil before serving hot.
Notes
- Experiment with different protein and vegetable options for a personalized touch.
- Adapt the recipe to suit dietary preferences, such as using gluten-free pasta or extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 halves
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
