Return to top
featured in… The Huffington Post CookingLight Reader's Digest Women's Health BuzzFeed Glamour Whole Foods Oprah Winfrey Network CNN Food Network Healthline Shape

Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Healthy Curry Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

This Curry Spaghetti Squash recipe is wonderfully spicy, delicious, and filling! It’s the best low carb pasta substitute topped with fire roasted tomatoes, and chickpeas for added protein! It makes a healthy and satisfying dinner for the whole family!

curry spaghetti squash tossed with spices herbs and cashews in a white bowl

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite winter squashes to use because it’s super versatile, easy to prepare, and totally absorbs the flavor of anything you cook it with! Which is why, I absolutely love using it in this curry spaghetti squash recipe!

Latest Recipe Video!

Think of this dish like an Indian spaghetti squash pasta that’s healthy and easily made low-carb too. I added rich spices like cumin, coriander and cayenne, and then threw in some chickpeas and cashews for texture and added protein. For some freshness, I added cilantro and tomatoes.

While making spaghetti squash is somewhat labor intensive (you’ll see in the directions), I had fun scraping out the squash to make my Indian style pasta. It is pretty amazing how, once baked, the squash literally makes flawless spaghetti shaped strands when you scrape it out with a fork!

This recipe turned out to have the perfect balance of flavors, and we really could eat it like a pasta dish! The family actually liked it, and we pretty much had no leftovers. It’s a healthy vegetarian Indian recipe!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Whole 30
  • Hearty and Satisfying
  • Full of Indian Spices
  • Family Friendly
  • Ready to Eat in an Hour

🥘 Ingredients

This spaghetti squash curry recipe calls for some staple ingredients and easy to find spices at your local grocery store!

ingredients for curry spaghetti squash
  • Spaghetti Squash: This variety of squash has a distinctly different texture from other squash. Rather than the flesh being solid, it is stringy in texture, similar to spaghetti. It has a mild and neutral flavor, which allows it to take on the flavors for the sauces added quite easily. It also makes it an excellent low carb substitution for pasta or spaghetti.
  • Chickpeas: A hearty legume, chickpeas give this recipe some texture and add to the heartiness of the dish. You can substitute for another bean or lentils if you like. If you’re trying to make a keto spaghetti squash recipe, omit the chickpeas as they add to the net carbs of this dish. For a low carb option, you can substitute it for ground beef, paneer cheese, or chicken.
  • Fire Roasted Tomatoes: These canned tomatoes have such a deep roasted flavor that truly elevates the dish! You can always opt for fresh tomatoes, or diced tomatoes, but I recommend going with fire roasted.
  • Indian Spices: This “masala pasta” uses a variety of Indian spices that bring tons of flavor, and make it spicy and rich! You’ll need cumin, curry powder, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt. Feel free to add black pepper and grated fresh ginger for a spicy spaghetti squash curry! If you can’t find curry powder, you can use red curry paste too.
  • Cashews and Cilantro (to garnish): Crushed cashews, and freshly chopped cilantro are a great addition to this dish. Green onions and a squeeze of lime juice would work well here too.

📖 Variations

  • Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash: Add 1 cup of coconut milk + Thai red curry sauce or green curry paste, and use tofu instead of the chickpeas. It’ll have more of a Pad Thai type of flavor.
  • Italian Spaghetti Squash: Instead of Indian spices, use a dried Italian seasoning blend and instead of cashews as a garnish, use parmesan cheese
  • Coconut Curry Spaghetti Squash: Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the spaghetti squash and stir together before serving!
  • Keto Spaghetti Squash: Replace the chickpeas with paneer cheese!
  • Add More Veggies: Try adding some red bell pepper, zucchini, baby spinach or snap peas for extra veggies!

🍽 Equipment

🔪 Instructions

Prep your Spaghetti Squash: Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. You’ll need a sharp knife, and a bit of muscle! Scrape out all the seeds and gunky pulp with a spoon. Lightly rub a teaspoon of olive oil on each side of the squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast Squash: Roast the squash face down in an oiled baking sheet for 30-40 minutes. Let cool.

Remove the Flesh: Scrape out the spaghetti squash shells with a fork, until you have a bowl full of cooked strands of squash.

spaghetti squash on a baking sheet

Prepare the Sauce: Set the squash aside, and on the stove top, heat a large pot over medium heat. Put the chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, and all the spices (cumin through salt) in the pot.

chickpeas and tomatoes cooking in a pot

Simmer: Cover, and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat until the chickpeas have softened, about 15-30 minutes (depending on how soft you want the chickpeas). Once the chickpeas have cooked, add the spaghetti squash into the pot, and stir to combine.

Serve: Top with chopped cashews and cilantro.

curry spaghetti squash tossed with spices herbs and cashews in a white bowl

❓Recipe FAQs

Is spaghetti squash okay to eat on a keto diet?

Yes! Spaghetti squash is okay to eat on a keto diet. It is one of the lowest net carbs of all the squashes, and makes for an excellent nutrient rich substitute for pasta!

How many net carbs are in spaghetti squash?

One cup of spaghetti squash has about 8 net carbs. It contains 10 grams of total carbs, 0.4 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 42 calories.

Is spaghetti squash a good carb?

Yes, it is a good carb. It is very low in total carbs, but is also virtually fat free, low in calories, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins and nutrients. If you are on a low carb diet, such as Keto, this squash makes for an excellent substitute to white carbs such as pasta.

Is this recipe kid friendly?

Yes! This spaghetti squash and chickpeas is kid friendly! It has all of the elements of a traditional pasta dish. The spices give it excellent flavor, but not too much heat! Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your child’s tastes and preferences.

What makes this curry spaghetti squash recipe healthy?

Low in Net Carbs: With the chickpeas, this dish has 52 grams of carbs; removing the chickpeas and subbing it for a low-carb protein, reduces the carbs to 23 grams (18 grams of net carbs).

Low in Calories in Fat: This Indian pasta recipe has only 282 calories, and 4 grams of fat per serving.

Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients: Spaghetti squash is high in fiber, beta carotene, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin B6. Vitamin C helps with immune support. Manganese improves bone health, and Vitamin B6 improves mood, and supports brain health.

🧊 How to Store

  • Refrigerate: Allow to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Allow to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight freezer safe container or bag. Make sure all air is removed. Label with the contents and the date. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.
  • Reheat: When ready to reheat, transfer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Place in a microwave safe dish, cover, and heat on high until warmed through. Alternatively, transfer to a saucepan to warm over the stove.

💭 Expert Tips for Baking Spaghetti Squash

  • Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Do not cut it down the middle.
  • Make sure to clean the inside well by scooping out all of the seeds. I use a metal soup spoon, and it works great to get all the extra stuff out of the center.
  • Lightly oil the squash or the pan itself to keep it from sticking.
  • Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper for added flavor. Don’t add too much oil or salt. This will result in a more watery texture.
  • Place the squash flesh side down on the baking sheet. Use parchment paper to keep squash from sticking to the baking sheet.
  • Poke the back of the squash a few times with a fork.
  • Don’t over roast your squash! For al dente strands, all you need is 30-40 minutes.
  • For perfect spaghetti squash strands, scrape the strands from the outside in.
keto spaghetti squash tossed with spices herbs and cashews in a white bowl

🍲 More Indian Recipes!

LOVE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!

📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/kwV8l3IC9Io
curry spaghetti squash tossed with spices herbs and cashews in a white bowl
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Curry Spaghetti Squash

This Curry Spaghetti Squash recipe is wonderfully spicy, delicious, and filling! It's an excellent pasta substitute topped with fire roasted tomatoes, and chickpeas for added protein! It makes a healthy and satisfying dinner for the whole family!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 283kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • 1.5 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 15oz can
  • 15 oz fire roasted tomatoes 1 can
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ tsp curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • chopped cashews 1 tbsp per serving
  • chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Prep your spaghetti squash — Cut it in half, scrape out all the seeds and gunky pulp, and roast it face down in an oiled baking dish at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Let cool.
  • Scrape out the spaghetti squash with a fork, until you have a bowl full of cooked “squash pasta.”
  • Set the squash aside, and heat a large pot over medium heat.
  • Put the chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, and all the spices (cumin through salt) in the pot. Cover, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the chickpeas have softened, about 15-30 minutes (depending on how soft you want the chickpeas). Once the chickpeas have cooked, add the spaghetti squash into the pot, and stir to combine.
  • Toss with cilantro and cashews, and serve.

Notes

  • Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Do not cut it down the middle.
  • Make sure to clean the inside well by scooping out all of the seeds. I use a metal soup spoon, and it works great to get all the extra stuff out of the center.
  • Lightly oil the squash or the pan itself to keep it from sticking.
  • Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper for added flavor. Don’t add too much oil or salt. This will result in a more watery texture.
  • Place the squash flesh side down on the baking sheet. Use parchment paper to keep squash from sticking to the baking sheet.
  • Poke the back of the squash a few times with a fork.
  • Don’t over roast your squash! For al dente strands, all you need is 30-40 minutes.
  • For perfect spaghetti squash strands, scrape the strands from the outside in.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 782IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 5mg

42 responses to “Healthy Curry Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas”

  1. I had to change the recipe because I was trying to use stuff I already had, and was missing several ingredients, but it turned out so yummy anyway! I left out the coriander, used chili powder instead of cayenne, and added chicken and 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter to the sauce in place of chickpeas and cashews. I also added chopped spinach and a little extra curry. Thank you for the recipe, I’m sure it’s super yummy as written too!5 stars

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Subscribe to newsletter

Copyright 2024 The Picky Eater®, LLC. All rights reserved.