Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce | Easy Recipe

Spaghetti squash with meat sauce is an easy meal that's delicious and healthy! It's a hearty dish that's perfect for fall and winter.

I've always been a huge fan of spaghetti and meat sauce, just ask my husband! We basically ate it weekly for the first year of marriage.

But back then it was the crappiest beef and the cheapest pasta, and we wondered why we both felt so gross after eating it! I also didn't really know how to make my own pasta sauce, so it was preflavored pasta sauce with who knows what in it.

Traditional pasta is full of gluten and hard to digest, so a lot of people don't feel good after eating it. This is why I was so excited when I learned about spaghetti squash. It's not the same, but it's a great alternative, especially if you care about how you'll feel after the meal. It's much easier to digest and gluten-free!

Switching to grass-fed meat has been an absolute game-changer as well. It's more expensive, but in my opinion, it's totally worth the investment! You can taste and feel the difference.

The sauce is the right amount to pair with an entire squash, so you could plate them separately or mix it all together in the skillet before serving.

Is Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce Healthy?

This spaghetti squash recipe is made with simple, whole-food ingredients that are nourishing to the body!

Spaghetti squash - A good source of pantothenic acid (helps the body use carbs, protein and fat), vitamin C, manganese, niacin and vitamin B6, as well as other vitamins and minerals.

Tomato sauce - High in antioxidants, folate, vitamin C, potassium and Vitamin K.

Ground beef - The healthiest option is grass-fed beef, which is high in quality protein, Vitamin B12, zinc, iron and many more vitamins and minerals.

Seasonings - Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, oregano and red chili flakes are all real, simple ingredients that add flavor to the dish and a little bit of extra nutrition as well.

Why Choose Spaghetti Squash over Pasta?

Traditional spaghetti is high in carbs and gluten and can be very difficult to digest. Spaghetti squash is a low carb spaghetti alternative that's also gluten-free and simple and easy to make.

If you'd like to eat your meat sauce with pasta, I recommend using homemade einkorn (here's a recipe) or sourdough pasta. These are the easiest types for the body to digest.

Obviously, you can serve this meat sauce recipe with any type of pasta, whether homemade or storebought!

Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce?

Yes, we have successfully frozen the spaghetti squash mixed with meat sauce. Freeze in a freezer-safe container, thaw in the fridge the night before and reheat in a skillet or in the microwave.

Tips for Making Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

• If you're in a rush, you can skip browning the meat. Just throw all the ingredients in, cover and simmer until cooked.
• You can use ground turkey, ground pork or any other ground meat in place of the ground beef.
• Feel free to use fresh garlic or oregano if you have it.
• You could add some Italian seasoning or fresh basil for extra flavor.
• You can substitute crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce or watered-down tomato paste for the tomato sauce.
• The longer you simmer the sauce, the thicker and more flavorful it will become.

Tools You May Need

Cookie sheet

Large skillet

Measuring spoons

Wooden spoon

How to Make Spaghetti Squash with Meat sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• drizzle of olive oil
• salt and pepper

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1½ sea salt
• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

Squash

Preheat the oven to 415°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a sharp knife, cut the stem off the spaghetti squash, stand it up on the cut side and slice down the middle, creating 2 long halves.

Scoop out the seeds and discard them.

Drizzle the insides with olive oil and spread the oil around with your finger to cover all the flesh. Sprinkle each half with salt and pepper.

Turn the squash halves flesh side down on the parchment paper.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the squash is tender.

Using two forks, scrape the spaghetti-like strands out of the squash.

Meat Sauce

Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat and occasionally stir to brown. It isn't necessary for the meat to be fully cooked at this point.

Stir in the remaining ingredients, cover with a tilted lid and reduce to low heat.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until it becomes the consistency you like (the longer it simmers, the thicker it will get as the excess water evaporates. I've gone 30 minutes before for an extra thick pasta sauce!).

Spoon sauce over cooked spaghetti squash and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese (or if you can't tolerate dairy, this vegan parmesan recipe is quite a good substitute. You can use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds in place of the cashews as well).

How to Store Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or microwave.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

Side Dish Ideas

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Vinegar
• Pan-Fried Asparagus with Garlic
• Sautéed Kale and Spinach
• Sourdough Sandwich Bread (make homemade garlic bread!)

More Main Dish Ideas

• Pork and Venison Italian Sausage
• Grilled Salmon Burgers
• Butternut Squash and Sausage Casserole
• Fried Chicken without Flour
• Baked Pesto Salmon