Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Try this Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1 egg
- 1 t olive oil
- 1 t sugar
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 t onion powder
- 1 c cottage cheese
- 1/2 t ground pepper
- 1.5 lbs of lean ground turkey or beef (i use turkey)
- 2 medium spaghetti squashes
- for the sauce herb mixture:
- 1 t corn starch
- 2 t oregano
- 2 t salt (i like to use coarse kosher)
- 3 t minced garlic
- other sauce ingredients:
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes (i like the petite diced the best)
- 1/4 c fresh chopped basil
- for the cheese mixture:
- 1 c mozzarella cheese
- 2 t parmesan cheese
- 1 t fresh basil
- top with additional mozzarella and parmesan cheese
- Carbohydrate 17.5361214719544 g
- Cholesterol 42.6255000306761 mg
- Fat 14.1363559855738 g
- Fiber 0.622014254079782 g
- Protein 21.0956698351641 g
- Saturated Fat 6.92108624676013 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (304g)
- Sodium 550.71278044378 mg
- Sugar 16.9141072178746 g
- Trans Fat 1.13434395995386 g
- Calories 281 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat your oven to 350.
- First, we will start with the meat sauce. I use lean ground turkey, but you could use ground beef if you prefer. Brown your meat in a large skillet.
- While the meat is browning, mix up your herbs for the seasoning in a small dish.
- When the meat is about cooked through, open your cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Add a small spoonful of the tomato sauce from the can to your bowl of mixed herbs and stir completely. It will be a little pasty, but this is so that the corn starch won't be lumpy.
- Then scrape all the seasoning mixture along with the open cans of sauce and tomatoes into the skillet with the meat.
- Add the olive oil and fresh basil. Stir completely and let simmer for a few minutes.
- While that is finishing cooking, mix together your cheese mixture, or white sauce, if you will.
- Cut open 2 medium-sized spaghetti squashes and scrape out the insides until it looks like a hollow bowl leaving the fleshy part of the squash.
- Add 1/4 of the cheese mixture to each squash bowl.
- Then add the meat mixture on top of that. This meat sauce makes enough for about 5-6 servings so you can use it all up and have lots of sauce or save some for some noodles in the fridge.
- Sprinkle the top with extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with tin foil.
- Bake in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes and then take the foil off and finish baking for another 10-20 minutes until the spaghetti squash is fork tender.
- Let it cool slightly before you dig in and then go wild and scrape it clean!
Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash: A Weeknight Winner
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a healthy and delicious dinner can feel like a Herculean task. Weeknights are often a blur of school pick-ups, homework battles, and the ever-present pressure to put something nutritious on the table. That’s why I'm constantly on the hunt for recipes that are both satisfying and simple. Enter: this incredible Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
This recipe has become a staple in our household, not just for its ease of preparation but also for its amazing flavor. It manages to capture all the comforting goodness of lasagna without the hefty carbs and layers of work. The spaghetti squash provides a naturally sweet and slightly nutty base, acting as a perfect vessel for the rich meat sauce and creamy cheese filling. The whole family loves it, and it's incredibly versatile; I often adapt the ingredients based on what we have on hand. Sometimes I add spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrients and flavor, other times I swap the ground turkey for chicken sausage for a lighter option.
Why this recipe works so well for busy weeknights:
- Minimal prep time: The ingredients are straightforward, and the steps are easy to follow, even after a long day.
- One-pan wonder: Most of the cooking happens in one pan, minimizing cleanup.
- Make-ahead friendly: The meat sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge, saving you even more time on the cooking day.
- Healthy and delicious: The spaghetti squash offers a healthier alternative to traditional pasta, while the meat sauce and cheese provide a satisfying and flavorful experience.
- Crowd-pleaser: This dish is a guaranteed hit with the whole family, even picky eaters!
Beyond the weeknight: This lasagna stuffed spaghetti squash isn't just limited to busy weeknights; it's also perfect for casual weekend dinners or even potlucks. It travels well and reheats beautifully, making it a great choice for meal prep.
Ingredient variations: As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different types of ground meat, add vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to the meat sauce, or try using different cheeses for the topping. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility.
Serving suggestions: For a complete meal, I like to serve this dish with a side salad. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lasagna stuffed squash. Alternatively, a side of roasted vegetables adds another layer of flavor and nutrients to the meal.
So, the next time you are looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner, look no further than this Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe. It is guaranteed to become a new family favorite, just as it has in our home. It’s a recipe that embodies the essence of comfort food without the guilt, and that’s something we all need in our busy lives!
