Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta

from bakeunion.com
60 min

Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta is an all-time favorite recipe the author developed to sneak more veggies into her family’s meals. It's a healthier twist on traditional pasta, a total flavor bomb, versatile for any dinner, and a crowd-pleaser that wins over even picky eaters.

Ingredients

  • 1 largespaghetti squash (about 3-4 lbs), halved and seeds removed for roasting
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil, for drizzling on the squash
  • 1 teaspoonsalt, to season the squash
  • ½ teaspoonblack pepper, for a little kick
  • 1 lbground beef or turkey
  • 1 smallonion (about 100g), finely chopped
  • 2 clovesgarlic (about 10g), minced
  • 1jar (24 oz/680g) marinara sauce
  • 1 cupricotta cheese
  • 1 cupshredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cupgrated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoondried italian seasoning

Directions

Roast the Spaghetti Squash

  1. 1

    First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. 2

    Cut that spaghetti squash in half lengthwise—be careful, it’s a tough bugger to slice!—scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle on some salt and pepper.

  3. 3

    Place it cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for about 35-40 minutes until it’s tender.

  4. 4

    I usually poke it with a fork to check if it’s done; you want those strands to pull away easily for your Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta.

Cook the Meat Sauce

  1. 1

    While the squash is roasting, grab a large skillet and brown your ground beef or turkey over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Toss in the chopped onion and garlic after a few minutes, letting them soften and smell amazing (nothing beats that sizzle, right?).

  3. 3

    Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, then let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

  4. 4

    This sauce is the heart of Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta, so taste and tweak as you go!

Scrape and Layer

  1. 1

    Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape out those gorgeous strands into a large casserole dish.

  2. 2

    Spread half the meat sauce over the squash, dollop on the ricotta cheese, then add the rest of the sauce.

  3. 3

    I’ve found spreading the ricotta in little blobs works best for that creamy surprise in every bite of Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta.

  1. 1

    Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top like you’re blanketing it with love.

  2. 2

    Pop the dish back into the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly with golden spots.

  3. 3

    Trust me, pulling this Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta out of the oven is pure satisfaction.

  4. 4

    Let it sit for 5 minutes before digging in—hardest part, I know!

Million Dollar Spaghetti Squash Pasta Recipe | Only Recipes