Vegan Spaghetti Squash Soup
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.My vegan spaghetti squash soup is easy to make, nutritious, and so flavorful! The spaghetti squash is combined with other wholesome ingredients for a feel-good, satisfying meal that your whole family will love. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a plant-based, comforting soup recipes a side or a main meal. The best part? It’s plant-based, vegetarian, and gluten-free so it accommodates many special diets!
I love using spaghetti squash in casseroles and as a pasta alternative! It’s slightly sweet and always super tender when roasted. I’ve used it in my spaghetti squash casserole and curry spaghetti squash with chickpeas, but can you make soup with spaghetti squash? Absolutely! And so I did just that for a nourishing soup loaded with fall flavors and comforting ingredients delicious year round.
My recipe for spaghetti squash soup is a real gem for anyone who loves a hearty soup recipe! With all the nutritious vegetables, this soup is filling and satisfying, so you won’t be hungry an hour later.
Adding spaghetti squash in soup provides you with a boost of vitamins and dietary fiber. Most vegetable soups, like minestrone, use regular pasta. Since the pasta has been replaced by spaghetti squash in this recipe, it’s suitable for a low calorie diet.
This is one of my favorite soup recipes and will definitely make an impression on you and your family! If you’re ready to give this soup a try, keep reading for all the details.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Absolutely Love This Recipe
When it comes to quick meals, this easy spaghetti squash soup is a game-changer for me. With just 20 minutes of prep time, I can have a delicious soup prepared for my family without stress. It’s perfect for those busy days when I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen.
My favorite part of the prep for this recipe is the shortcut to cooking the squash. There’s no need to fire up the oven. I’ve tried several cooking methods for spaghetti squash, and microwaving it saves me so much time. Then, once it’s cooked, it shreds into beautifully tender pieces that absolutely make this soup!
I love that this soup is great for meal prep. I can make a big batch, freeze it, and then heat it up whenever I need a convenient meal. It’s so handy to have on hand for days when I need something easy yet satisfying.
On days when I’m craving something warm and cozy, there’s nothing better than a creamy bowl of soup served with crusty bread! Plus, I feel good knowing that this vegan spaghetti squash soup is low carb and packed with nutritious vegetables and herbs. It’s a healthy option that doesn’t compromise on flavor, which is always a win in my book.
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🥘 Ingredients
My vegan spaghetti squash soup recipe is made with simple ingredients that can be found at the local grocery stores! For nutritional information check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Spaghetti Squash: I love how this squash has a subtle sweet and nutty flavor that blends perfectly with the bold flavors of the other ingredients in this soup.
Olive Oil: I use olive oil to sauté the vegetables, although water sauté is a lighter option.
Red Onion: Red onion adds a sweet and sharp flavor to the soup. I find its taste slightly milder compared to white onion.
Garlic: Garlic imparts a slightly sweet and savory note to the soup. I make sure to use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
Celery Sticks & Carrots: Celery offers a clean, slightly sweet, and somewhat salty flavor that’s perfect for soups. While fresh carrots are ideal, canned carrots are an option.
Zucchini: Zucchini adds a mild flavor and a good amount of bulk and nutrition to the soup, making it a great addition.
Fresh Thyme & Bay Leaves: Thyme provides a bold spice that adds depth to the soup, while bay leaves contribute a subtle earthy and herbal flavor. Always remember to remove the bay leaves before serving!
Vegetable Broth: I use vegetable broth or stock as the base for this soup, though chicken stock or broth are also options.
Canned Diced Tomatoes: Tomatoes complement the flavors of the squash, creating a hearty and satisfying soup.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar brightens up the soup’s flavor. I can also substitute with lemon juice or lime juice if desired.
Dried Red Pepper Flakes, Salt & Black Pepper: I include a small amount of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, though they’re optional for a milder soup. Salt is so critical to building flavor, and I think black pepper adds a nice spice and complements the flavor of the red pepper flakes.
🔪 How To Make Vegan Spaghetti Squash Soup
Learn how to make a filling, savory spaghetti squash soup! Follow my easy step by step instructions to get a perfect bowl of soup every time.
Cook Spaghetti Squash: I poke holes all over the squash and then place it into a microwave-safe dish. I microwave it for 8-12 minutes until it’s cooked through.
Slice & Remove Spaghetti Squash Flesh: Once the squash is cooked, I slice it in half lengthwise with a sharp knife and scoop out the seeds. I then use a fork to remove the flesh from the squash.
Cook Vegetables: I heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. I add the chopped onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and diced zucchini to the pot.
Add Remaining Ingredients: I sauté the onions and other veggies for 1-2 minutes before adding the veggie broth to the pot, leaving out the cooked squash for now.
Cook Soup: I bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer on low for 25-30 minutes. I stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Remove Herbs: Once the vegetables are soft, I remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before stirring in the cooked spaghetti squash strands.
Serve: I pour the finished soup into bowls and enjoy it with some crusty bread!
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making this recipe is to ensure the squash is fully cooked and tender before scooping out the flesh.
To help with the cooking process, I poke holes in the spaghetti squash before cooking to allow the steam to release and prevent it from bursting. This also helps it to cook evenly. You’ll know when the squash is properly cooked, because the strands will separate easily and become fluffy, which improves the texture of the soup.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Baking Method: If you’d like, you can bake the spaghetti squash in the oven instead of the microwave to cook it. Just cut the squash in half, lay it cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil for 40-50 minutes at 350°F/180°C until it’s cooked through.
- Let It Simmer: I like to let the soup simmer for a bit longer just before adding the cooked squash. This extra simmering time helps the flavors meld together more thoroughly, resulting in a richer and more cohesive taste.
- Cut Vegetables In Uniform Sizes: When dicing the vegetables, I make sure they are all cut into even, small pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add Spaghetti Squash Last: I add the cooked spaghetti squash to the soup just before serving and heat it through for 3-4 minutes. This ensures that the squash doesn’t overcook and become mushy.
📖 Variations
I love this soup as is, but there are a few easy ways I will sometimes customize this recipe to suit different tastes and preferences:
Butternut Squash Soup: If I have trouble finding spaghetti squash or want something super convenient, I make this recipe with pre-cut butternut squash instead. Butternut squash is easy to find and can be bought frozen, making it a great choice when you are short on time! You can also try out my delicious butternut squash bisque recipe.
Creamy Spaghetti Squash Bisque: When I am in the mood for a cream-based soup, I make my spaghetti squash soup with coconut milk or heavy cream. This will give the soup a sweet and creamy texture and flavor that I really enjoy. You can also blend the soup with an immersion blender to give it a super velvety, creamy texture.
Roasted Spaghetti Squash Soup: Sometimes, I like to roast my squash in the oven instead of cooking it in the microwave. Roasting caramelizes the squash, which adds an extra layer of flavor to the soup (see my tips above on how to do this).
Spaghetti Squash And Potato Soup: I add cubed potatoes along with the other veggies to make a hearty soup packed with extra nutrients. This addition makes the soup more filling and nutritious.
Additional Vegetables: I find that adding different or additional ingredients based on whatever vegetables I have on hand is a great way to use things up before they go bad!
🍽 Serving Suggestions
My vegan spaghetti squash soup recipe can be enjoyed in many different ways! I love to serve this up with a side of crusty bread or crackers. Top with vegan parmesan cheese and pumpkin seeds, if you’d like. Here are some more pairing ideas:
Salads: Make it a more filling meal by pairing the soup with a side salad like this roasted pumpkin salad or beetroot and feta salad.
Sides: For the ultimate comfort meal, enjoy it with garlic bread grilled cheese or a sourdough grilled cheese.
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Here is how I store and keep my spaghetti squash tomato soup:
Refrigeration: I allow the soup to cool and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: To freeze, I’ll store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one month. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Reheating from the fridge is easy and can be done in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. If I’m reheating from frozen, I’ll let it thaw in the fridge the night before, and then warm in a pot on the stovetop.
❓Recipe FAQs
I find that the main reason for mushy spaghetti squash is overcooking it. Be sure to follow my directions closely, and check on the squash at the 8 minute mark. It is done cooking when fork tender and al dente. Since the squash will already be cooked before adding to the soup, I suggest that you wait until the last step to toss the spaghetti strands in.
If the soup turns out too thick, I thin it out by adding more vegetable broth or water until I reach the desired consistency. I add it gradually, stirring and checking the texture as I go.
I look for a spaghetti squash that is firm and has a vibrant, consistent color. It should also have a hard shell without any soft spots or blemishes. If it feels heavy for its size, that’s usually a good sign that it’s ripe.
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📋 Recipe Card
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Vegan Spaghetti Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 1 small spaghetti squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 celery sticks diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp dried red pepper flakes optional
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Poke holes all over the spaghetti squash. Place it into a microwave safe dish and microwave for 8-12 minutes.
- When cooked, slice in half and remove the seeds.
- Using a fork, remove the flesh.
- Heat the oil in a large pot and add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots and diced zucchini.
- Sauté for 1-2 minutes before adding all of the remaining ingredients, except for the cooked spaghetti squash.
- Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat and a gentle simmer for 25-30 minutes.
- When the vegetables are soft, remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before stirring through the cooked spaghetti squash.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
- Cooked soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to a month.
- If you don’t have a microwave, you can bake the spaghetti squash in the oven for 40-50 minutes at 350F/180C until cooked through.
- Use a fork to loosen and separate the cooked flesh.
- Poking holes in the spaghetti squash before cooking allow the steam to release when cooking.
- Simmer the soup until the vegetables are tender.
- When dicing the vegetables ensure they are all an even size.
- Add the cooked spaghetti squash to the soup just before serving, heat through for 3-4 minutes before serving.
Ok wait whaaaaat?!?! This is so brilliant! I adore spaghetti squash, but it never ever occurred to me to put in in a soup! Love this idea!!! Good tip on subbing butternut – but I’m all in on the spaghetti squash hahaha!
Haha yes!! It’s like a low carb option for pasta in soup 🙂 Hope you love it when you try it!
This was a really tasty soup! My whole family enjoyed it.
Awesome! Great to hear Kristen!
This spaghetti squash soup was a hit! Love how nourishing and tasty it is.
Yay! Thanks for letting me know Katherine!
I love the simple fresh ingredients in this healthy, comforting soup!
So happy to hear that! Thanks Michelle!
I just love that you used spaghetti squash in this soup! Usually it is butternut squash that is the star of soups, so this is a nice change. 🙂
Thanks so much Carrie! Enjoy!