Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Oil

Ingredients

• 1 squash Butternut Squash

  On sale at Publix: Acorn Squash, Butternut, Buttercup, or Spaghetti; or Pie Pumpkins

  $0.99 $1.99

• 4 tablespoons Olive oil

  pantry

• 4 cloves Garlic

  about $0.50

• 1/2 cup Mrs. Cubbison's Croutons

  On sale at Publix: Mrs. Cubbison's Croutons, 5-oz bag

  $1.05 $2.09

• 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes

  pantry

• to taste Salt

  pantry

• to taste Black pepper

  pantry

• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

  pantry

• 1/4 cup Publix Salsa

  On sale at Publix: Publix Salsa, Mild, Medium, Black Bean & Corn, or Mild Mango & Peach, Loca

  $1.95 $3.89

Prices are from Publix the week of October 11, 2026. Sale prices change every week and differ by store.

Steps

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until very tender.
2. Mince the garlic. Pulse the croutons in a food processor or crumble by hand into fine breadcrumbs.
3. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
4. Using a fork, scrape the squash flesh into strands and add to the hot oil. Toss gently for 2 minutes to coat. Season with salt and lemon juice.
5. Toast the breadcrumbs in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until golden. Top the squash with breadcrumbs and serve.

Why it’s cheap

3 of the 9 ingredients were on sale at Publix the week of October 11, 2026, led by butternut squash at $0.99 instead of $1.99.

The sale items rang up $3.98 under their regular prices.

Penny Meals prices a dinner by the share of each package you actually cook, adds an estimated shelf price for anything that wasn’t on sale, and counts pantry staples like oil and salt as free. That came to $0.83 a serving, or $2.49 for 3 servings.

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