Looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta? This delicious spaghetti squash recipe combines tender strands of squash with a rich, savory beef sauce and melted cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food that won’t weigh you down!
You will be amazed at how much this spaghetti squash dish resembles the taste an texture of traditional spaghetti pasta!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re searching for the perfect combination of healthy and delicious, this spaghetti squash recipe is about to become your new favorite. Whether you’re following a low-carb diet or simply looking to incorporate more vegetables into your meals, this dish delivers all the comfort of traditional pasta without the heavy carbs.
What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and convenience – it’s an all-in-one meal that provides a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs. Parents will particularly appreciate how the fun, spaghetti-like strands make it an easy sell for picky eaters, while busy cooks will love that it can be prepared in advance and reheated when needed.
Can I Use Other Types of Squash?
While spaghetti squash is ideal for this recipe due to its unique strand-like texture, you can use other winter squash varieties in a pinch. Acorn squash works well thanks to its natural bowl shape and shorter cooking time (30-35 minutes), while butternut squash offers a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the beef sauce (cook for 35-45 minutes).
Delicata squash is another option, with its edible skin and quick cooking time (25-30 minutes). Keep in mind that these alternatives won’t create the signature pasta-like strands, but they’ll still provide a delicious base for the beef sauce and cheese topping.
Ingredients
- ground beef
- salt
- pepper
- onion, finely chopped
- cloves garlic, finely chopped
- celery stick, finely chopped
- red bell pepper, finely chopped
- cheddar cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- spaghetti squash
- tomato juice
A Healthy Alternative
This spaghetti squash with beef sauce recipe proves that healthy alternatives don’t have to sacrifice flavor or satisfaction. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carb intake, add more vegetables to your diet, or simply try something new, this dish delivers on all fronts. The combination of tender squash strands, savory beef sauce, and melted cheese creates a comfort food experience that will have your family requesting it again and again.
Spaghetti Squash with Beef Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 celery stick finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 medium spaghetti squash
- 1 cup tomato juice
Instructions
- Wash squash.
- Cut in half with a cleaver carefully.
- Scoop away the seedy center of the squash and brush vegetable oil on the cut sides of the squash. Then sprinkle it with salt.
- Bake in the oven for 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Prepare the meat mixture.
- Saute all vegetables, starting with garlic and onions for about 10 minutes.
- In a separate pan, cook ground beef with salt and pepper for 15 minutes.
- Add 1 cup tomato juice to ground beef and incorporate the vegetables. Continue to saute altogether for another 10 minutes.
- When squash is soft enough (can be pierced with a knife) remove from the oven and fill with meat and vegetable mixture.
- Sprinkle it with shredded cheese.
- Bake for another 10 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted.
- Remove and serve.
More Delicious Meals
- Easy Meat Lasagna
- Classic European Stuffed Peppers
- Homestyle Ground Beef and Leek Casserole
- Savory Chicken Potato Casserole
- Chicken Zucchini Pasta
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