This cheesy, comforting Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Bake is packed with vitamins and minerals from three different veggies.

I’ll never forget the first time I served my son spaghetti squash. He was three years old, and we were having an impromptu picnic in the grass. We shared a thermos full of the noodly strands topped with homemade beef bolognese, and he scarfed it happily down.

At the time I was surprised he took to this new food. But in retrospect, it makes a lot of sense. Spaghetti squash is as close to pasta as you can possibly get with a fresh vegetable. This alone should make parents of picky eaters clamoring to get their hands on one!

The mild-flavored, carbohydrate-rich veggie also packs in great nutrition. Kids and grownups get plenty of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants from this fun, familiar-shaped vegetable.

Comforting Casserole

This Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Bake combines some of my favorite things: fresh vegetables (including broccoli–suprise!), creamy cheese sauce, and make-ahead convenience.

Kids love it because it’s energy-dense and delicious. So do I! It also makes a lot of food, so it’s perfect if you need to feed a crowd. Or enjoy the leftovers yourself.

Pair this casserole with grilled chicken, fish, or hard-boiled eggs for protein, and a side of fresh fruit, for a super-tasty, balanced meal.

How to Make Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Bake

The keystone ingredient in this recipe is well-prepared spaghetti squash, and this is the part that you can do up to two days in advance and refrigerate.

I decided to cook my squashes in the Instant Pot, which worked great! I cut the squashes in half crossways, scooped out the seeds, and placed the halves on the trivet above a cup of water. Then I set the manual timer for seven minutes. When the timer beeped, I used the vent to release the pressure all at once (natural release risks mushy squash.)

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, or you’d rather cook your squashes the old-fashioned way, you can roast them at 400 for about 30 minutes.

Once your squash is cooked and you’ve pulled out the strands, set them aside while you prepare the cream sauce.

The next part is easy! Saute your garlic, onions, and broccoli in a large pan, then add the flour and broth and heat it until it thickens. Stir in the shredded cheese right at the end, then immediately pour the sauce over the cooked squash.

Add a sprinkle of cheese and then bake until bubbly. Enjoy this healthy, tasty, and nourishing dish with your family!