Spaghetti Squash is a great alternative to pasta when
on a diet, as it is low in calories and gluten free. The cooked flesh of the Spaghetti Squash shreds into threads like thin spaghetti pasta or vermicelli.
Cut a baked Spaghetti Squash open and you’ll see a whole dish of pasta! Since Spaghetti Squash has a mild flavor, it is usually used with some kind of
sauce, but my husband and I also enjoy the squash with just a little butter and some salt and pepper.
Check out Linda's
Pasta Hints and Tips and
Pasta, Rice, and Main Dish Recipes.
Spaghetti Squash with Italian Meat Sauce
Recipe Type:
Squash,
Tomatoes,
Diet
Yields: 2 servings
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients:
1 medium-size Spaghetti
Squash
1 medium
onion, diced
2 to 3 cloves
garlic, minced
8 ounce lean ground beef (hamburger)*
1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed or diced
tomatoes
1/4 cup red
wine
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
Coarse
salt and freshly-ground
black pepper to taste
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
How to Prepare and Bake Spaghetti Squash:
Cut the Spaghetti Squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard (unless you are making toasted squash seeds).
Place the squash halves (cut-side down) in a shallow baking dish or pan and add approximately 1/4-inch of water around the squash.
|
 |
 |
|
Whole Spaghetti Squash |
Spaghetti Squash cut into halves |
|
 |
 |
|
Spaghetti Squash with seeds removed |
Spaghetti Squash ready to bake |
Bake approximately 40 to 45 minutes or until a paring
knife pierces easily through the skin with little resistance.
Baking time depends on the size of your squash.
Remove from oven and let the squash halves cool for 10 to 15 minutes or
until you can handle them.
Using a fork, gently scrape the tines or the fork
around the inside edge of the Spaghetti Squash to shred the pulp into
strands. Place the strands (spaghetti-like ribbons) in a bowl. If the
squash seems difficult to scrape, just return to the oven and bake and
additional 10 minutes.
|
 |
 |
|
Scraping the inside of the cooked Spaghetti Squash |
Spaghetti Squash Noodles |
To Make Italian Meat Sauce:
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the onion, garlic, and
ground beef, cooking and stirring until the meat is browned and the onions
are softened. Add the tomatoes, red wine, water, oregano, rosemary, pepper
flakes, salt, and pepper. Let simmer approximately 30 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until the liquid has reduced to your liking.
Remove from heat and serve over the prepared Spaghetti
Squash noodles.
Makes 4 servings.
