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Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs
Cooked spaghetti squash is an excellent substitute for regular pasta. Topped with gooey melted cheese, tomato sauce and meatballs, it’s an Italian-inspired meal that you can bake and eat right out ofthe squash shell. To cook squash in a slow cooker, Drizzle cut sides of squashes with 2-teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange squash in a large slow cooker, cover and cook for 3-4 hours on low and 2-3 hours on high. Proceed with step 3 when squash is cooked.
July 16th, 2013
Recipe by Paula Bowman
Servings
Serves 4Prep Time
20 MinutesCook Time
Total time: 1 hourIngredients
- 2 small spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds each), halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil
- 3/4 lb Italian sausage, casings removed and shaped into 16 meatballs, or 16 uncooked store-bought meatballs, covered and refrigerated until needed
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 (796ml/28floz) can diced tomatoes or 4 cups diced fresh tomatoes
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil plus extra leaves for garnish
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Drizzle cut sides of squash with 2 teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange squash halves cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed sheet pan and bake until tender to the touch, about 45 minutes.
When squash is close to being tender, set a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon oil. Add meatballs and cook, turning often until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep skillet on heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion and cook, stirring often until onions have softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and their liquid, oregano and basil. Stir well and return meatballs to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until meatballs are cooked through and sauce has begun to thicken, about 8 minutes.
Preheat broiler to high. Carefully remove squash halves from baking sheet and with a fork, scrape flesh into long strands within squash shells. Divide meatball mixture into 4 portions and spoon over spaghetti squash halves. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and broil, if desired, until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 4 minutes.
This looks so delicious. I just wish the recipes came with the nutritional information.