If I were in purgatory there is nothing else I would rather be there with than spaghetti squash! Ok, maybe I can think of a few more things I would want by my side, but spaghetti squash would definitely make the list! I love all winter squash, but I especially love spaghetti squash because it has such a different texture than the others and you can do so many fun things with it.
I’ll be honest with you, the first time I heard about Eggs in Purgatory, I was completely grossed out. For some reason the idea of eggs and tomato sauce didn’t sit well in my mind and it wasn’t until years later that I got up the courage to actually try it and realized that eggs and tomato sauce is one of the best combinations ever. And you know what makes them even better?? When you pair them with warm toast and spaghetti squash! Because what has spaghetti squash ever made worse?! These spaghetti squash enchiladas are still one of my favorite enchilada recipes.
I’m using the exact same spaghetti squash harvesting (that word sounds funny to use here, but it is kinda what I am doing!) method as I used with my enchiladas. Most recipes involving spaghetti squash require you to roast them for about an hour, but c’mon, I want my spaghetti squash and I want it now! Since I don’t really care about the spaghetti squash being in long “noodle” form for this dish, my quick method works perfectly.
All you have to do is cut the squash open and then, using a sturdy metal spoon, scrape all of the yummy squash out. It comes out in small pieces that are perfect for this eggs in purgatory with spaghetti squash dish. Then, you saute them in a pan with some olive oil for about 10 minutes and voila, you have perfectly cooked spaghetti squash that you can throw into all kinds of delicious dishes, like this eggs in purgatory!
Although eggs in purgatory is traditionally a breakfast dish (I have also heard that it is a great hangover cure š ) this version is so good and so filling that I would recommend it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! It is also a great dish to serve for Christmas morning breakfast because we all know that Christmas breakfast needs to be almost as special as Christmas dinner!
PrintEggs In Purgatory With Spaghetti Squash
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 3 cups tomato sauce (homemade tomato sauce recipe below)
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil, for garnish
- Bread for serving, if desired
Tomato Sauce Recipe – Makes 3 cups:
- 1–28 ounce can of San Marzano style whole tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
- If making homemade tomato sauce: Heat a medium sized pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, onion, garlic, oregano, and salt. Cook until onions are beginning to soften, 3-5 minutes. Add the entire can of tomatoes into the pot and either smash them with a potato masher or squeeze them with your hands to break them up a little bit. Season with red pepper flakes to taste and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat off and stir in the fresh basil leaves.
- While the sauce is cooking, cut the spaghetti squash in half. Using a sturdy metal spoon, scrape out the inside of the squash (see photos above for tutorial). You should get about 2 1/2 cups of squash.
- Heat a large oven safe pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, spaghetti squash, salt, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook until squash is tender and cooked through, ten minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce and stir. Make 4 small indents in the spaghetti squash and tomato mixture. Crack the eggs and place each one into one of the indents. Place pan in the oven and bake until eggs are cooked to desired state. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of chopped basil and serve with toast, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Gluten Free
Katie @ Whole Nourishment says
You know, I don’t use spaghetti squash enough. But this is a great way to add it to a meal. And I love any form of sauce with eggs nestled into it to poach. This whole dish looks amazing but still simple to pull together any night.
She Likes Food says
Hi Katie! I’m kinda obsessed with spaghetti squash, but I feel like I don’t use it enough either! Sauce with eggs nestled into them = heaven š
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
I actually adore eggs and tomatoes together … in China it’s a classic that every kid loves (apparently …!) Also, every time I see a spaghetti squash on a blog I crave it …. but don’t seem to be able to find one here in the UK! At least not where I usually shop. Dang! Still, I’ll keep looking because this looks so fabulous! š
She Likes Food says
Haha, I had no idea it was a classic in China! I can believe it though because it is so good! Oh no! I wish I could send you all the produce that you can’t get over there! Or maybe you just need to move over to the US so you can enjoy all of it š
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Beautiful work, Izzy! The light in your photographs is really nice. These eggs in purgatory look delicious! I would have never guessed to put spaghetti squash in with tomatoes either, but the combo actually sounds appealing to me… add an egg, ok, I’ll go with it! š I have a problem in my household right now with regards to squash. It’s in season, so we have a lot of it from our local farmers. However, my husbands is not a squash fan. Period. So even when I hide it… he detects it. He’s pretty good about eating it under the grumbles though. I thinking I should give this a go…. Thank you Izzy!
She Likes Food says
Traci!! Thank you so much! I finally found a spot in the yard that gets great light and I’m slowly learning how to manipulate it! It is such a great combo and you will want it eat it everyday, promise! Haha, I don’t think my husband is a big squash fan either, but thankfully I can sneak it into a few things and he doesn’t notice! What is it with men and squash??! This might just be the recipe to trick him with š
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
You always make me laugh, Izzy! IDK what it is with men and squash! What is one to do?
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
That looks so tasty! I’ve never heard of eggs in purgatory before, but it kind of sounds more like heaven :-p
She Likes Food says
Haha, it really is much more like heaven! This was the first time I tried it and I’m in love!!
Danielle says
This dish looks so delicious! I’ve never had eggs in purgatory, but they sound incredible!
She Likes Food says
Thanks, Danielle! You should try it out! I’m not sure how anyone wouldn’t like it š
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This is one of my favourite meals, although I have not made it with squash before. Anything with eggs in it is a winner with me.
She Likes Food says
If you love the original, you will love it with spaghetti squash! It kinda takes it to the next level š
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Ok, your quick spaghetti squash method may have just changed my life! We’re eating spaghetti squash about once a week (instead of pasta) and having to wait a whole hour for the squash to roast and then 20 minutes for it to be cool enough for me to shred is taking a whole lot of time. I’m trying your method next time! And this sounds like such a tasty dinner!
She Likes Food says
It is seriously such a great method, Natalie! I hope you guys like it! I’m a pretty impatient person and hate waiting for things to cook so ever since I started making my spaghetti squash this way I have never looked back š
marcie says
I’d love to be in purgatory with spaghetti squash too — this whole dish actually! I love this dish and I’d be a happy camper eating it daily! š
She Likes Food says
Haha, I will meet you there, Marcie! I think I would be happy eating it everyday too!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
I love savory breakfast! Eggs in a tomato sauce are so good on weekends in the morning!
She Likes Food says
Hi Julia! I agree! It is the best weekend breakfast š
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
What a fun and adorable recipe, Izzy!! I love how chunky that tomato sauce looks! Yummay!
She Likes Food says
Thank you, Ceara! The chunkier the better š
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Love the title of this recipe, Izzy! I’ve never had eggs with tomato sauce either, but it does sound delicious! And I love that you paired it with spaghetti squash, what a great idea!
She Likes Food says
Thank you, Gayle! It sounds kinda unappetizing for some reason, but it seriously is soooo good! And the spaghetti squash just makes it that much better!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
These eggs look so yummy!! I am trying to focus more on non-meat centered meals, so this is perfect! There is nothing better that good runny yolks!
She Likes Food says
I was scared of runny yolks for so long, but I’ve now embraces them and am loving them!
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
i love the addition of the spaghetti squash!
She Likes Food says
Thanks Caralyn! It really takes it to the next level š
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Can you believe it…I’ve never tried spaghetti squash before! I am on a bit of a butternut squash kick these days, and spaghetti squash is totally next on the list! This looks delicious, Isadora, and I love your opening line…hehe š
She Likes Food says
Denise! You need to get some spaghetti squash stat!! I’m a huge butternut squash fan too though, so I don’t blame you for eating it all the time! I love spaghetti squash because it really can be used like pasta and it is just so good!
Laura says
There must be some award for funniest blog post title ever! Love it. As I’m sure you know by now, I love squash and sweet pototoes like yourself and this recipe is so exception. What a fun and creative spin on spaghetti squash. I actually have 2 left that I bought for 75 cents a piece at a roadside stand so I’ll put them to good use with this little “purgatory” recipe, Ha! I actually make a similar sauce to yours, and even tried it on spaghetti squash this week, but your threw me for a loop with the egg addition. Totally new!
She Likes Food says
Haha, Laura! When I first heard of the title to this recipe I thought it sounded crazy, but now I’m in love with it! 75 cents is such a great deal on a spaghetti squash! I’m all out right now, so I think I need to go buy some more! This has become one of my favorite breakfasts and I hope you love it too š
Dulcie @ Foodie Fiasco says
Spaghetti squash is definitely a cure-all kind of food. I love how it can be thrown into anything and take the taste to a whole new level! Like these vibrantly delicious-lookin’ eggs in purgatory! I used to think that eggs and tomato sauce were a blasphemous combination as well, but as soon as I took a taste I was converted! The tomato sauce/eggs combo is sort of my dad’s domain though; I’m going to try to convince him to make this for Christmas;-)
She Likes Food says
It is so a cure all!! I love that! I don’t know what it is about eggs and tomato sauce, but the thought it it is disgusting and the taste of it is so amazing! This would be perfect for Christmas breakfast!! I’ll send good vibes your way that your dad makes them for you š
Dulcie @ Foodie Fiasco says
I guess it’s just one of those seemingly odd, but magical, combos-like peanut butter and pickles or chicken fingers and ranch! Do you have any seemingly weird food combinations you covet? I can’t get over pb sandwiches with mayo(yuck, I know. I don’t like mayo usually but this is something else)! Thanks for your good vibes; they are much appreciated and hopefully persuasive:-)
Jack says
Such pretty pictures.
Elizabeth says
Izzy! I saw the picture of this delicious meal pop up on facebook and I had to comment- I’ve never heard of this dish called “Eggs in Purgatory” but I have eaten it in Israel and in Turkey- in Israel it’s called shashuka and in Turkey it’s called menamen – if you look up either (especially shashuka) there are a lot of variations – probably not with spaghetti squash though so this is way cool! I’m happy your blog is doing so well and even happier to see you on Instagram- hope you had a happy new year!! I miss you- come visit NC sometime. oxoxo
She Likes Food says
Bizzle!! I had never heard of it either until Tara talked about how the landscaping boss made it for everyone when they went on a service trip. I thought it sounded horrible, but now I realize it is so good! I’m so happy to be on instagram too! I finally got it together and got an iphone and I’m so excited about it! I would love to come to NC sometime soon! Or you could come back to the gem show and we could hit up all the Goodwills again!! xoxo
Elizabeth says
crap!! I spelled it wrong- it’s SHAKSHOUKA