Published: Mar 8, 2017 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This Southwest Spaghetti Squash is a healthy meal. It's loaded with black beans, corn, red pepper, and spaghetti squash with a chipotle dressing.

Southwest Spaghetti Squash birds eye view.

This is one meal that you can feel good about eating and feeding your family. It is a veg-on-veg fest, with plant-based ingredients.

This Southwest Spaghetti Squash has all of my favorite Southwest ingredients in it: corn, black beans, red pepper, jalapeño, tomato, and a smoky vegan chipotle sauce, all served on a bed of spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta. So if you are cutting back on carbs, it's a great vegetable to reach for.

This recipe is gluten-free. Make sure to read labels when buying chipotle in adobo. Some contain gluten ingredients.

Jump to:

Chipotle Peppers
🧾 Ingredients
🔪 Instructions
🥡 Storage
📖 Variations / Additions
Other Southwest Recipes
📋 Recipe
Want to save this recipe?
💬 Comments

Chipotle Peppers

If you have never tried a chipotle pepper, it has medium heat with a smoky taste. Although, I should say if you think jalapeños are spicy, you will think chipotles are spicy too.

Chipotle peppers are dried and smoked jalapeños. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are rehydrated and mixed in a spiced tomato sauce.

Chipotle peppers fall between 3,000 and 10,000 units on the Scoville Scale, to give you an idea of their spice level.

I have used this Chipotle Dressing (or a variation of it) on a Black Bean Salad, Black Bean Jicama Tacos, and Lentil Quinoa Burritos. Can you tell it is one of my favorites?

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Spaghetti squash: Has a mild nutty flavor. It works well for stuffing and is a great replacement to noodles.
Red onion: Adds a pungent flavor. You could also use a yellow onion or white onion.
Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet flavor. You could also use orange, yellow or green bell peppers.
Black beans: Work well in Mexican dishes. Add a mild creamy flavor. You could also use pinto beans or garbanzo beans.
Corn: Adds a sweet flavor.
Jalapeño: Adds a spicy flavor. If you want less spice, remove the seeds and veins. If you want even more spice use a serrano pepper.
Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
Cumin: Adds a warm spice flavor.
Tomato: Adds a sweet flavor and balances the other flavors.
Olive oil: Adds flavor and enhances flavors.
Chipotle dressing: Adds a spicy smoky flavor.
Fresh cilantro: For some people cilantro tastes like soap. If this is you, leave it off.
Salt and pepper: Enhances the other flavors and adds flavor.

5 Secrets to Transforming Tofu

FREE 5 part email series to help you cook tofu like a pro.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

🔪 Instructions

Being very careful, slice spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. They are hard to cut and can slip away from you. Scrape out the seeds and stringy squash strands with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil on top. Bake until tender. Let cool and scoop out the spaghetti squash. Hold onto the squash boats for serving.
In a large skillet pour olive oil. Heat on medium. Cook onion until translucent. Add red pepper, corn, black beans, jalapeño, garlic, and seasonings. Stir and cook until crisp tender.
Add tomato and spaghetti squash. Cook a few minutes and stuff the mixture into the spaghetti squash boats. Drizzle chipotle dressing on top. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top.

🥡 Storage

This recipe will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Another way that I love to eat spaghetti squash, is Vegan Spaghetti Squash Alfredo. It has a creamy Alfredo sauce made from cauliflower. There's another veg-on-veg fest for you!

And if you like replacing pasta with healthier options try a pesto shirataki noodles recipe.

📖 Variations / Additions

Vegan cheddar cheese
Vegan sour cream
Taco seasoning
Other veggies: mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potato
Vegan crumbles
Pinto beans or garbanzo beans

Other Southwest Recipes

Nutrition Facts

Chipotle Dressing - per 2 Tablespoons

Amount Per Serving

Calories 59 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 162mg7%

Potassium 48mg1%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 0g0%

Sugar 0g0%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 50IU1%

Vitamin C 1.1mg1%

Calcium 2mg0%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

Southwest Spaghetti Squash