Spaghetti squash is a unique veggie that I was afraid of for a long time. I thought it must take all day to cook and a culinary degree to get it to turn into the stringy pasta like texture I saw in photos, but I was wrong! Check out this recipe to see just how easy it is to cook spaghetti squash and turn it into a tasty, healthy meal.
I’m always trying to incorporate more veggies into my meals. Even I struggle to get the recommended amount a day. I used to think that it was hard to bake a spaghetti squash like the pros, but I was mistaken.
Recently in my Hungry Harvest subscription box, I got a beautiful spaghetti squash and decided to give it a try. I was so amazed at how easy it was to cook! I’m not convinced spaghetti squash is a complete replacement for pasta in your favorite Italian family dinner dish, (just not the same taste or consistency) but it is something you can incorporate into your recipes pretty easily as a healthy and flavorful option.
Compared to wheat noodles, squash noodles have a crisper consistency and their flavor is mild with a hint of sweetness, so it goes well with whatever spices or sauce you want and it will absorb the flavor. Nutritionally, squash has fewer carbs and calories than wheat noodles and is full of Vitamin A and potassium.
This recipe is a simple layering of squash, sauce, ground turkey and cheese. Definitely easier than a traditional lasagna. Enjoy and let food be your energy!
Price
Spaghetti squash goes on sale in the winter months for about $1.99 a pound. Sauce, cheese and ground turkey are all easy to find grocery items that go on sale from time to time so this recipe is very affordable. For the spices, if you have an “Italian” spice mix that will work just as well instead of the individual rosemary, oregano and garlic.
How to Bake Spaghetti Squash (and get that picture perfect look)
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Start with washing the squash.
3. Then cut into large slices using a sharp knife.
4. Next spoon out the seeds and any “guts” that are loose.
5. Cover a baking sheet/pan with parchment paper
6. Place slices of squash on the baking pan and brush lightly with Olive oil.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven. Get two forks. One to hold the hot squash steady while the other one is scraping the inside edges of the squash. Scrape the inside edges lightly and the meat of the squash should start to flake apart and turn into stringy “spaghetti” like pieces. Go the whole way to the rind and all the way around the circular piece. Discard the rind.
9. Spaghetti Squash holds a lot of moisture so I recommend patting dry with paper towels or use a cheesecloth to wring out moisture.
Note: The ends of each squash are usually viable as well so bake them too. Sometimes I throw out the ends of veggies like carrots and cucumbers because they aren’t ripe or root filled but not the case with these spaghetti squash. Viola!
Italian Spaghetti Squash bake
Layers of spaghetti squash, sauce, ground turkey and cheese turn into a delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 Spaghetti Squash
- 1 lb Ground Turkey
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Eggs
- 1 1/2 Cup Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Start by baking the squash (see full instructions in post above). Cut squash into slices and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes. While baking the squash, in a medium saucepan, add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and ground turkey. Turn to medium high heat. Add all spices and mix and turn ground turkey until it is browned. Once the squash is cooked, scrape the insides to pull apart the “meat” and get a spaghetti like consistency. Whisk 2 eggs in a small bowl. In a medium/large baking pan, add spaghetti squash as the first layer. Top with eggs and use a spatula to mix with spaghetti squash. Next layer ground turkey. Then add sauce and using a spatula spread evenly across pan. Lastly sprinkle cheese evenly on top. Cover with tin foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 4-5 servings 
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