Savory Spaghetti Squash Delight
Imagine a wholesome twist on classic spaghetti! This Savory Spaghetti Squash Delight swaps traditional pasta for the nutritious and delicious spaghetti squash, delivering a dish that's both comforting and innovative. Paired with a rich, tomato-based sauce featuring vibrant vegetables and scrumptious plant-based meatballs, this recipe ensures you enjoy a hearty meal without the carbs. Perfect for cozy dinners or chilled summer lunches, each bite bursts with flavor and freshness. Whether you're a pasta lover or trying to eat healthier, you won't miss the noodles in this delightful dish! Serve it in the squash halves for an appealing presentation that makes every meal feel special.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
spaghetti squash
1 (cut in half lengthwise)
canned stewed tomatoes
14 ounces (drained and ready to use)
zucchini
1 (sliced into rounds)
yellow onion
1 (sliced into rings)
fresh basil leaves
12 (washed and chopped)
mushrooms
15 (sliced)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Lightlife Gimme Lean ground sausage
1/2 cup (molded into meatballs)
red wine
1/8 cup (for flavor enhancement)
seasoned sea salt
to taste (for seasoning)
ground pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
olive oil
1 teaspoon (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and pierce the skin several times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
3
Lightly coat the cut sides with olive oil and place the halves cut-side down in a round glass baking dish.
4
Bake the squash for approximately 45 minutes, or until the skin is tender and the edges begin to brown.
5
While the squash is baking, prepare the veggie meatballs by dicing the garlic, onion, and basil. In a bowl, mix these ingredients with the Lightlife Gimme Lean ground sausage, and form into small meatballs, aiming for about 10 in total.
6
In a sauté pan, heat a teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion rings, mushrooms, and zucchini and sauté until softened and browned.
7
Add your veggie meatballs to the pan and cook until firm and golden brown, allowing the aroma to fill your kitchen.
8
For the sauce, pour the canned stewed tomatoes into a deep dish pan. Add the sautéed vegetables and meatballs to the tomatoes. Stir in additional minced garlic and chopped basil to taste. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a splash of red wine to enhance the flavors.
9
Once the squash is baked, carefully remove the halves from the oven and allow them to cool down for a few minutes.
10
Using a fork, gently scrape the strands of the spaghetti squash into the sauce mixture, ensuring they resemble spaghetti. Leaving a bit of squash in each half, use the shells as serving bowls.
11
Finally, garnish your dish with fresh organic basil and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Spaghetti Squash Delight?
It is a wholesome, low-carb twist on classic spaghetti that replaces traditional pasta with nutrient-dense spaghetti squash, topped with a vegetable-rich tomato sauce and plant-based meatballs.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, the recipe is plant-based and vegan-friendly, utilizing Lightlife Gimme Lean ground sausage and fresh vegetables.
What oven temperature is required for the squash?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the squash.
How long does it take to bake the spaghetti squash?
The squash needs to bake for approximately 45 minutes until the skin is tender and the edges are browned.
How do I prepare the spaghetti squash for the oven?
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, pierce the skin with a fork to release steam, and lightly coat the cut sides with olive oil.
How should the squash be placed in the baking dish?
Place the squash halves cut-side down in a round glass baking dish.
What plant-based protein is used for the meatballs?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of Lightlife Gimme Lean ground sausage molded into meatballs.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
The recipe is designed to form about 10 small meatballs.
What ingredients are mixed into the veggie meatballs?
The meatballs are a mixture of the ground sausage, diced garlic, onion, and fresh basil.
What vegetables are sautéed for the sauce?
The sauce includes sliced mushrooms, zucchini rounds, and yellow onion rings.
How do I prepare the zucchini?
The zucchini should be sliced into rounds before being sautéed.
How do I prepare the yellow onion?
The yellow onion should be sliced into rings for the sauté pan.
What type of tomatoes are recommended for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 14 ounces of canned stewed tomatoes, drained and ready to use.
Can I add alcohol to the sauce?
Yes, a splash (1/8 cup) of red wine is used to enhance the flavors of the tomato sauce.
What herbs are used in this dish?
Fresh organic basil is used both inside the meatballs and as a final garnish.
How do I create the spaghetti strands from the squash?
Once baked and slightly cooled, use a fork to gently scrape the strands of the squash into the sauce mixture.
What is the suggested serving presentation?
Serve the mixture inside the hollowed-out squash halves to make the meal feel special.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 1 teaspoon of olive oil for sautéing, plus a small amount for coating the squash.
Is this recipe considered low-carb?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a low-carb pasta alternative.
How many mushrooms are used?
The recipe calls for 15 sliced mushrooms.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves for both the meatballs and the sauce.
What seasonings are suggested?
Seasoned sea salt and ground pepper are used to taste.
When do I add the meatballs to the pan?
Add the veggie meatballs to the sauté pan after the onions, mushrooms, and zucchini have softened.
Does this dish work for summer?
Yes, it is tagged as a summer dish and is noted to be delicious as a chilled lunch.
What is the texture of the squash after baking?
The squash should have a tender skin and the interior should easily separate into spaghetti-like strands.
What kind of salt should I use?
The recipe specifies using seasoned sea salt.
Should I wash the basil?
Yes, the 12 fresh basil leaves should be washed and chopped before use.
Is this a meatless meal?
Yes, it is tagged as meatless and uses plant-based sausage.
Can I serve this warm?
Yes, the instructions recommend serving the dish warm garnished with fresh basil.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total including the seasonings and oil.