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pad thai recipe with spaghetti squash

Pad Thai with Spaghetti Squash

This easy, healthy pad thai recipe swaps out noodles for spaghetti squash.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Keyword pad thai
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 231 kcal
Author Openfit

Ingredients

  • 1 medium spaghetti squash about 3 lbs.
  • 2 Tbsp. tamarind paste or rice vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 tsp. raw honey
  • 2-4 Tbsp. water
  • 12 oz. extra firm tofu cut into small cubes
  • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch preferably GMO free
  • 8 tsp. peanut oil divided use
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup bean sprouts
  • 4 medium green onions cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts
  • Lime wedges
  • Cilantro sprigs
  • crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

  2. Place squash on a parchment lined baking sheet. Poke squash 2 or 3 times with a fork. Bake for 60 to 80 minutes. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Remove seeds. Scrape flesh into stringy noodles. Set aside.  

  3. To make sauce, heat tamarind paste, fish sauce, honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add additional water is sauce is too tart. Set aside.

  4. Coat tofu in cornstarch in a small bowl; mix well.

  5. Heat a large wok (or skillet) over high heat.

  6. Add 2 tsp. oil, swirling to cover surface of pan. Add tofu; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until all sides of tofu are brown. Remove tofu from pan and place on a large plate. Set aside.

  7. Add 2 tsp. oil to pan; cook, over high heat, swirling to cover surface of pan. Add onions; cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion are light golden brown. Remove from pan; place on plate with tofu. Set aside.

  8. Add 2 tsp. oil to pan; cook, over high heat, swirling to cover surface of pan. Add eggs; cook over medium heat. Do not stir. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath, creating a very thin omelet. When eggs are set, cut them with your spatula. Remove eggs from pan and place on plate with tofu and onions. Set aside.

  9. Add remaining 2 tsp. oil to pan, swirling to cover surface of pan. Add garlic; cook, over medium-high heat, for 1 minute.

  10. Add spaghetti squash, spreading squash into a single layer; cook for 30 second, stir and make another single layer. Repeat this 3 to 6 times, cooking for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until squash is warm and golden brown.

  11. Add sauce; mix well.

  12. Add bean sprouts and green onions; mix well.

  13. Add tofu mixture; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well mixed and heated through.

  14. Transfer to a large serving platter. Top with peanuts, lime wedges, cilantro, and crushed red pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

  • If you can’t find tamarind paste, you can substitute rice wine vinegar.
  • Thai fish sauce is Nam Pla, but you can use another kind if you have it.
  • The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.