Spaghetti Squash Marinara Bake
This fall season is my new happy place.
I’m being swept away by the romance of everything autumn. Except for the Starbucks pumpkin spice late. I’ll take homemade any day…but I’m gonna be the one making it. #notafan
It’s also the season of the most beloved spaghetti squash. I’m making everything with it.
The reason I’m obessed is because I eat a lower carb diet, and while I have a soft spot in my heart for pasta dishes, I really avoid them. My solution is using the aforementioned squash as substitute.
What really happens when you do this…you go crazy with your veggie intake! Good for you…getting all those veggies in your life!
This serves 4-5.
Spaghetti Marinara Bake
- 1 good sized spaghetti squash, cooked*
- 2 heaping handfuls of spinach, chopped lightly
- 1 cup tomato pasta sauce
- 1-2 tsp. garlic puree
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 dozen mini meatballs, cooked
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
*Good sized means a fat medium sized. Or so I have decided. I literally measured it…and if this helps you figure out the size….it was a 9”x4” size squash. And yes, I’m aware that’s now how you tell people how to pick a squash.
To oversimplify the directions, basically mix everything together in a bowl, except the cheese and the meatballs.
Add to a greased square pan and cook for 30 minutes (at 450 degrees). At the 30 minute mark, add the cooked meatballs (also something I did beforehand) on top of the casserole in a row, top with cheese, and finish baking for 10-15 minutes. And done.
“But wait,” you say!” How do I cook spaghetti squash?!”
How I cook spaghetti squash: I cook my spaghetti squash by cutting them in half, scooping out the seeds, and adding a drizzle of olive oil inside each side of the squash. I then bake them at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Then flip and bake the squash upside down for 30 more minutes in the oven. Done.
I love having friends over lunch, and if I have time, see it as the perfect opportunity to force someone to taste test what I make. My tastebuds have a broad range of enjoyment, and there’s very little I don’t like…so personally, I think it’s a good idea to get second opinions before I post my recipes here.
A couple weeks ago I made this, and my friend liked it enough to ask for the recipe…and I loved it…so I consider it more than a pass.
What do you cook spaghetti squash with? Or have you tried it?
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Category: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dishes, Recipes | Tags: healthy low carb dinners, low carb spaghetti bake, spaghetti squash recipes, thm main dishes 2 comments »
Gonna try this tonight! Thank you for the detailed instructions… I need that guidance!
I am going to so have to make this scrumptious dish! You go girl!