Baked Spaghetti Squash for Weight Loss
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012Baked Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
Yummmm, I LOOOVE me some spaghetti squash! It’s seriously good with EVERYTHING! This time I used it just like regular pasta by adding meatballs, marinara, goat cheese, basil and oregano but you could use it as a base for any pasta dish! You could also use it instead of rice or noodles with a stir fry or as a base for Indian curry, the possibilities are tremendous!
You’ll need:
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 cup of marinara sauce
- 1-2 oz soft chevre style goat cheese
- meatballs, I would try to use organic turkey or chicken, OR for an even healthier meatless version try these or these!
- a couple sprigs of basil and oregano
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet, cut side down and bake for 30-40 minutes. Take cooked squash out of the oven to cool slightly and turn oven up to 400.
Using a fork, scrape the “spaghetti” strands from the sides of the squash and fluff it up a bit to turn into strands. Pour marinara sauce over the squash and place your meatballs on top. Sprinkle goat cheese over sauce and bake until cheese is melted. Sprinkle some fresh basil and oregano on top as a garnish. It looks great served right out of the squash!
This is a yummy low fat, low carb, and (optionally) meatless meal that will make your heart sing! I promise even the pickiest eaters will love this dish! Kids love that they get to eat right out of the squash “bowl”!
If weight loss is a goal for you this year as it is for so many, this is the perfect dish to satisfy your appetite and taste buds. It’s also a cinch to make! It’s a definite winner, one that I will be making again VERY soon!!
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Love this! Never thought to serve/eat this right out of the shell! Fantastic Idea! This will be on next weeks menu! Thanks!
Oh my goodness this looks wonderfully delicious! YUM! I will try it this week, since I don’t eat pasta anymore, this is a wonderful alternative!
m.
Wow, this looks soooo good! I’m gonna make this for dinner this weekend. Thanks, Linda.
This looks so yummy!
Hi Linda! This was a FABULOUS meal! So filling, warming and comforting on a cold, rainy night. It went great with a spinach salad and a nice small glass of red wine. I did everything the same but opted for a meatless variety but made a faux meat. I made “meatballs” out of 1 cup of walnuts, 2 TB. nooch, 1 tsp. sea salt, 1 TB. Italian seasoning, pinch of red pepper flakes, 1 tsp. cumin and a smidge of water to make a dough ball in food processor that could be crumbled “as-is” or like I did, dehydrated small chunks for about an hour (could go longer -so start earlier) while squash was baking. HEAVEN! I feel full but not stuffed like you normally would with a basic pasta dish. My husband said this was the best spaghetti squash dish he’s every had and would love to see it more in the dinner rotations. I’ve got several of your recipes lined up for dinners this coming week. I am trying to be good and plan out dinner meals for the week and so far so good. Thanks so much for all your info. and recipes. They are wonderful. Thanks!
Is there any method you can recommend to make the squash WITHOUT an oven?? I dont have a working oven..
perhaps a dutch oven or on an iron skillet?
you could try a dutch oven! Let me know if it works!
My hubby and I just tried your recipe and OMGOSH it was sooooo good. I’ve never had spaghetti squash and I loved it!!!
Yayayayayya! So glad you liked it!! It’s one of my favorite recipes!