Better Than Pasta – Spaghetti Squash With Meat Sauce

You will fall in love with this spaghetti squash with meat sauce recipe! The spaghetti squash gives this dish an unexpected sweetness and texture that plays perfectly with the meat sauce.

Spaghetti squash is a wonderful substitution for pasta. It is naturally made in noodle-like strands, it has a subtle but sweet flavor that is irresistible, and it pairs perfectly with any pasta sauce.

Did I mention it’s also a super healthy substitute! This spaghetti squash with meat sauce recipe is one of those no-guilt dinners I feed my family. I always think of some way to incorporate more healthy features in my meals and this substitution is it for this meal.

Did I mention it tastes great too! You won’t miss pasta after you try this dish!

This post is about how to make spaghetti squash with meat sauce.

Better Than Pasta – Spaghetti Squash With Meat Sauce

What do I need to make this spaghetti squash recipe?

To make this recipe, you will need:

• Spaghetti Squash
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and Pepper
• Meat Sauce
  • Ground beef
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Pasta sauce: This can be jarred, store-bought sauce or homemade: HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE WITH CRUSHED TOMATOES.
    • If you plan on making the homemade pasta sauce (instead of using jarred sauce), do so ahead of time so it is ready to use when preparing the meat sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese
• Mozzarella Cheese (optional)

How to roast spaghetti squash:

Wash and dry the spaghetti squash.

The next part is the hardest part of the whole process: cutting the spaghetti squash in half.

Do the following very carefully as the spaghetti squash has a tough outer shell.

First, cut off the ends. Be sure to cut around the stem as the stem is too tough to cut through!

Then, cut the squash in half, lengthwise, from top to bottom. If you find that it is too difficult to cut, pierce it 7-10 times with a knife or fork and put it in the microwave for 3 minutes. This should soften the outer shell enough to cut through it.

NOTE: Be sure not to leave it in the microwave for longer because it can build up too much steam and implode on itself.

Yay, the hard part is done!

Now just scoop the seeds out.

Drizzle olive oil on the inside of the squash and rub it to coat the entire inside.

Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.

Line a shallow baking pan with parchment paper, aluminum foil and/or non-stick cooking spray.

Place the squash on the prepared baking pan FACE DOWN.

Roast it in the oven at 400°F for 45-60 minutes. It is done when the cut sides (that are facing down) turn golden and the inside is easily pierced with a fork.

This is generally what it should look like once you flip them around:

How do I make the meat sauce?

As the spaghetti squash is roasting, prepare the meat sauce. [For the full post on this meat sauce, visit SERIOUSLY EASY MEAT SAUCE RECIPE].

First, peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic.

Put olive oil in a large saucepan on medium-high heat and saute until translucent.

Add the garlic and saute for just a minute. Next, stir in the oregano.

Add the ground beef, salt and pepper and cook until browned.

Once the meat is browned, add the pasta sauce and chopped parsley and stir.

Let it simmer on low, covered, for about 20 minutes. The result? A very tasty meat sauce.

How should I serve the spaghetti squash with meat sauce?

There are 3 different ways to serve this dish. In the first two ways, you can eat right out of the shell!

THE FIRST WAY

Spoon some of the meat sauce to the hollow of the spaghetti squash.

Then, top it off with shredded mozzarella cheese and broil it for just a few minutes to melt the cheese. Watch carefully as the broiler can burn it rather quickly!

THE SECOND WAY

Gently fluff the spaghetti squash strands with a fork.

Then, add the meat sauce on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

THE THIRD WAY

Gently fluff the spaghetti squash strands with a fork and transfer them to a bowl or plate.

Spoon some of the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy:

• BALSAMIC GLAZED ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND BRUSSEL SPROUTS
• CREAMY TORTELLINI SOUP WITH GROUND BEEF AND HERBS
• THE ULTIMATE LASAGNA RECIPE
• EASY MEAT SAUCE RECIPE
• PERFECT PASTA SAUCE
• THE BEST TORTELLINI SOUP WITH SPINACH
• TASTY TURKEY SAUSAGE SOUP

🖤 Let me know in the comments if you plan on making this or if you did. I love hearing from you!

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🖤 Thank you for visiting and happy cooking! 🙂

This post was about how to make the best spaghetti squash with meat sauce.

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Better Than Pasta - Spaghetti Squash With Meat Sauce

You will fall in love with this spaghetti squash with meat sauce recipe! The spaghetti squash gives this dish an unexpected sweetness and texture that plays perfectly with the meat sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword spaghetti squash with meat sauce

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 2

Author Rihana

Ingredients

Spaghetti Squash

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• salt and pepper

Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup parsley finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon oregano dried
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 jar pasta sauce or homemade (see notes)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic salt, to taste optional

Topping

• grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional

Instructions

Roast the Spaghetti Squash

• Wash and dry the spaghetti squash.

  Next, cut the spaghetti squash in half. Do the following carefully:

  Cut off the ends. Be sure to cut around the stem as the stem is too tough to cut through.

  Then, cut the squash in half, lengthwise, from top to bottom.

  If you find that it is too difficult to cut, see notes below.
• Using a spoon, scoop the seeds out.
• Drizzle olive oil on the inside of the squash and rub it to coat the entire inside.

  Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
• Line a shallow baking pan with parchment paper, aluminum foil and/or non-stick cooking spray.

  Place the squash on the prepared baking pan FACE DOWN.

  Roast it in the oven at 400°F for 45-60 minutes. It is done when the cut sides (that are facing down) turn golden and the inside is easily pierced with a fork.

  As the spaghetti squash is roasting, prepare the meat sauce. 

Make the Meat Sauce

• First, peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic.

  Put olive oil in a large saucepan on medium-high heat and saute until translucent.
• Add the garlic and saute for just a minute. Next, stir in the oregano.
• Add the ground beef, salt and pepper and cook until browned.
• Once the meat is browned, add the pasta sauce and chopped parsley and stir.

  Let it simmer on low, covered, for about 20 minutes.

Top It Off

• Spoon the meat sauce over the spaghetti squash. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and parsley on top.

  Consider adding shredded mozzarella cheese on top and broiling it to melt.

  See the notes below on the 3 ways to serve this dish!
• Enjoy!

Notes

You can use HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE or one jar of store-bought pasta sauce for this recipe.

The 3 Ways to serve this dish:

1. Spoon some of the meat sauce to the hollow of the spaghetti squash.

Then, top it off with shredded mozzarella cheese and broil it for just a few minutes to melt the cheese. Watch carefully as the broiler can burn it rather quickly!

2. Gently fluff the spaghetti squash strands with a fork.

Then, add the meat sauce on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

3. Gently fluff the spaghetti squash strands with a fork and transfer them to a bowl or plate.

Spoon some of the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.