Spaghetti Squash Bake

SPAGHETTI SQUASH BAKE

INGREDIENTS

6 Cups of cooked spaghetti squash (pressed with paper towels to remove extra water)

3 eggs

8 oz. shredded italian cheese blend

1 lb. cooked ground beef (or one 8 oz. package of sliced turkey pepperoni)

3 cups of marinara sauce

italian seasoning, salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. 
   
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. 
   
   Combine squash, 1/2 cup of cheese, eggs, and a sprinkle of italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and cook for 15 minutes.
3. 
   
   Next layer with ground beef then the marinara sauce.  Smooth evenly across pan.  Cook for another 10 minutes.
4. 
   
   Last sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown on top.  Let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley (optional).
5. 
   
   Enjoy!

Weeknight Wonder: Spaghetti Squash

It's Tuesday and that means it's just me and the boys for dinner.  Tonight the plan was to make Pumpkin Muffins (pumpkin flavors are my craving this week), the boys were gonna have PBJ and I was gonna heat up some leftover Taco Soup.  Well, I ran into the grocery store for canned pumpkin...what the heck was there a recall I didn't hear about???  The entire shelf was empty!  Oh well....I guess someone else must have been craving Pumpkin Muffins too. :) 

Anyway....while I was there, I ran into the cutest little spaghetti squash and decided that he was coming home with me and THAT is what I was having for dinner.  I love, love, love spaghetti squash and it's that time of year again!  Yay!  These little guys were also the smallest spaghetti squash I've ever seen and perfect for my one serving meal tonight.  Double Yay!

First, let me show you the easiest way to prepare it and from there....the possiblities are endless!

Step 1 - Cut the squash in half lengthwise.

Step 2 - Scoop out seeds from both sides.

Step 3 - Season with salt and pepper and place cut side down in a shallow baking dish.

Step 4 - Place 1/4 cup water in baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 8 - 10 minutes.

Step 5 - Squash is done when you drag a fork through it and the spaghetti squash strands simply pull away. 





Step 2

Step 3











Step 5

 

 



SUPER SIMPLE, right?  It is wonderful as is with just a drizzle of olive oil and a little salt and pepper, but honestly the possiblities are endless.  As winter approaches I'm fairly certain I will be posting several recipes using this healthy, affordable, and delicious winter squash.  Here is what I made tonight: