Spaghetti Squash w/ Chickpeas & Kale

Sun-dried tomatoes give this vegan spaghetti squash recipe a savory pop. Hearty from chickpeas & kale, it's a great fall or winter weeknight dinner.

Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale

The first time I had spaghetti squash, it was served with a big scoop of store-bought marinara sauce mixed in. It was slimy and goop-y and decidedly not spaghetti-like.

About a month ago, ditching the pasta idea completely, I planned a post for bbq spaghetti squash tacos. I have a super cute photo to prove that the meal existed, but the recipe ended in total disaster.

So, long story short, I’ve learned that I prefer my spaghetti squash as simple as possible and most importantly: sauce-less. The roasted strands come out of the oven with a nice al-dente bite, but, smothered in sauce, they become just too mushy for me. Check out this post to see how I cook spaghetti squash to get the yummy al dente strands you’ll want for this recipe.

Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale

In this recipe, the roasted squash strands are lightly tossed with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and a good squeeze of lemon. I added chickpeas and kale to make it a full meal and toasted some pine nuts for crunch. Sun dried tomatoes add a nice pop of flavor, but you could add anything briny that you like – freshly roasted tomatoes, capers, or maybe some chopped kalamata olives.

So while spaghetti squash is not pasta and it never will be, this veggie-packed bowl just moved up my list as a healthy weeknight favorite.

Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale

If you loved this recipe, try these roasted fall vegetable recipes next:


4.9 from 196 reviews

Spaghetti Squash w/ Chickpeas & Kale

 
This easy spaghetti squash with kale is a great healthy weeknight dinner! Flavored with rosemary, lemon, and sun-dried tomatoes, it's a delicious vegan and gluten-free dish.
Author:
Recipe type: Main Dish
Serves: 2 to 3
Ingredients
  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, sliced thinly
  • 1 whole garlic clove
  • ½ tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • Pinch of chile flakes
  • ½ cup chickpeas, cooked drained and rinsed (or roasted)
  • 2 (packed) cups chopped kale leaves
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (or capers or olives)
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
  2. Prepare your squash following the directions in this post.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add enough olive oil to lightly coat the pan, then add the shallots, the whole garlic clove (we’ll remove it later), rosemary, chile flakes, and pinches of salt and pepper.
  4. Once the shallot starts to soften add the chickpeas and cook for a few minutes until lightly golden brown. If you’re using roasted chickpeas, add them at the end of the recipe instead. Remove the garlic clove, add the kale and lemon juice, and stir.
  5. Once the kale is partially wilted, add the squash strands, the sun-dried tomatoes, a little grated Parmesan, and more salt and pepper, to taste. Toss to incorporate. Remove from heat and top with toasted pine nuts and extra grated cheese.
Notes
Vegan option - skip the cheese

 

329 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Lynn
    03.12.2024

    I added sauted mushrooms and it really complimented and already great dish.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.15.2024

      Hi Lynn, great idea! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.

  2. Nan
    03.09.2024

    I’ve been wanting to make this for a bit & tonite was the night. I added broccoli & left the garlic. YUM! Thanks!!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.