Spaghetti Squash "Ramen"

Healthy "ramen" noodles made from spaghetti squash served with savory mushroom broth, bok choy, jammy eggs, miso, and other seasonings.

Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Japanese

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 267kcal

Author Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Equipment

Mesh sieve
Immersion blender (recommended)
Electric egg maker (recommended)

Ingredients

3 cups spaghetti squash cooked
2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 yellow onion diced
3 cloves garlic crushed or minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
4 cups vegetable broth
¾ cup dried shiitake mushrooms broken into pieces
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce sub tamari if needed
1 tablespoon sweet white miso paste
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 heads baby bok choy sliced in half lengthwise with ends intact
2 eggs hard or soft-boiled, depending on preference; can add more for additional protein
2 scallions thinly sliced, for serving
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for serving
Sriracha hot sauce to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut off the stem, slice the spaghetti squash in half, and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle the cut sides with a small amount of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place cut side down on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until squash is tender but still crunchy and can be pulled with a fork. I personally like to slightly undercook the spaghetti squash and check it right at 25 minutes, so that the noodles don't get soggy in the broth later when you are serving the ramen. If you want to cook the squash for longer, feel free.
Prepare the eggs by placing them in a pot with enough water to cover them by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. A shorter cooking time will result in a softer boiled egg, if desired. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water after cooking. To make perfect soft-boiled eggs that have jammy yolks (like you would get with restaurant ramen), consider using an electric egg maker.
While the squash is roasting, heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the vegetable broth into the pot, add the dried mushrooms, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes (a longer simmer time will yield more flavor). Blend the broth in the pot using an immersion blender, or transfer it in batches to an upright blender. Strain the broth through a mesh sieve into a large bowl. Use a spoon to push down the mushroom puree in the sieve to extract as much liquid as possible. Alternatively, you can skip the blending step and strain the broth with the mushrooms and onions intact, but I think the broth is more flavorful if the mushrooms are blended into the liquid.
Return the strained broth to the pot, and thin with a cup of water if needed. Stir in the soy sauce, miso paste, and rice vinegar. Bring the broth back to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then place the bok choy in the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the bok choy turns bright green and is steamed to your desired texture. Remove the bok choy and divide between two serving bowls. Taste the broth, and adjust the seasonings as desired.
Prepare 2 ramen bowls by placing 1-1.5 cups of spaghetti squash and 2 bok choy halves into each bowl. Divide the broth equally between each serving. Peel the boiled eggs and slice in half, then place in the bowls. Top with sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and hot sauce to taste.

Notes

To make this gluten free, use tamari in place of soy sauce and use a gluten free miso paste. To decrease the sodium content, use coconut aminos, omit the miso, or use a low sodium vegetable broth. For a vegan option, omit the eggs.
Feel free to add more or less of the seasonings (soy sauce, miso, rice vinegar) depending on your preferences. You can also use different veggies, like spinach or sautéed mushrooms, in place of the bok choy.
This dish is best served right away once assembled. However, you can prep all of the ingredients in advance, store in separate containers in the fridge, and assemble at a later time. When you are ready to eat, reheat the broth, steam the bok choy in the broth, and prepare the bowls.
Please note that this recipe is not intended to mimic traditional Japanese ramen and is instead a twist that is inspired by the delicious flavors of that dish.

Nutrition