Looking for a way to have pasta, but remain healthy? This stuffed spaghetti squash with tomato and ground beef helps you get over all your cravings, all the while removing those carbs!
During my last big grocery shop, my sister tagged along to keep my daughter and I company. I spent waaaaay more than necessary and probably grabbed too much, but of course with all the sales, it is hard to pass up.
One of the items I did grab was a spaghetti squash. I usually save them for winter meals, but my husband had been talking about wanting lighter meals that were still filling, so I decided to pick one up. It was perfect timing because my sister did the honors of cooking it in the oven and then removing all the seeds for me. Win, win! She is also weird and loves to chop things, so I handed over my pineapple to be lovingly cubed. And after all that (okay, sounds like nothing, but we probably went to 3-4 grocery stores for sales,) I still managed to whip up this amazing stuffed spaghetti squash with tomato and ground beef!
I have had spaghetti squash before but kept the ingredients separate. When I came across Megan's recipe at With Salt and With I knew I needed to create my own stuffed spaghetti squash! Personally, I love her addition of artichokes and yogurt, but I thought my sister was eating this meal and I didn't see my sister digging into the artichokes (who does not like artichokes?!) Turns out she totally bailed on me! Nonetheless, I was so impressed by the outcome!
I knew I wanted to make it a "traditional" spaghetti dinner, so I kept everything basic. I would have loved to have added more, but I was running short on time and the husband had to eat sooner than later. He then proceeded to devour the entire squash! Not just half, but the entire thing. I will give him credit though, our spaghetti squash was on the smaller side. You will note in the recipe I do not list a weight for the squash. I totally forgot to weigh it, but there was enough sauce that I had some leftover, so do not be too concerned about picking a small one. Plus, it is entirely how you remove your seeds in the end (my sister has some skills, so I was left with a lot of "spaghetti" filling.)
UPDATE: Revisiting this recipe (because it is awesome!) I actually got around to weighing the squash. Mine was 3 lbs and I had a bit of extra sauce leftover, but I would have too much than not enough. You can always use the leftover sauce over pasta, or, my favorite, mini pizzas on English muffins!
📖 Recipe
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Tomato and Ground Beef
A fun way to eat "pasta" without the carbs!
Ingredients
- 3 lb spaghetti squash
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 portobello mushroom, halved and sliced
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- Salt and pepper
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ¼ tsp. cayenne
- Parmesan cheese for topping if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Stab a knife into the spaghetti squash randomly about half a dozen times to allow steam to release. Place on a baking sheet and cooking for 30-40 minutes, or until a knife can pierce through the skin easily. Slice in half and allow to cool. Remove seeds. Using a fork, run it inside the squash to create the spaghetti "noodles."
Filling
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook until meat is browned. Mix in tomatoes, green pepper, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with thyme, oregano, and cayenne. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Reduce oven to 350F. Add the sauce on top of your prepared squash halves. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake for 10 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted.
Notes
I cook the filling while the squash is baking so that the meal can be completed quicker.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 881Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 204mgSodium: 637mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 14gSugar: 24gProtein: 70g
What I love most about this stuffed spaghetti squash recipe is how versatile it is. I can easily make myself a vegetarian/vegan recipe, and people who do not like onions or mushrooms can switch up the ingredients or omit them altogether! And it is healthy! I mean, I am a big pasta lover so this is not essential for me, but I know others want lighter meals during the summer. And then come the winter holidays, people are wanting to watch their food intake again so this recipe is a win-win for any season!
Love this stuffed spaghetti squash with tomato and ground beef?! Try some of these recipes:
Beef and Zucchini Stir Fry with Roasted Broccoli
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
Love this. I love spaghetti and the ground beef makes it all the more better.
Kacey
It looks and sounds more like a traditional spaghetti dinner 🙂
Sara
This is SUCH a good idea, the meat sauce looks delicious and spaghetti squash is so much healthier than regular pasta. Pinned!
Kacey
Thanks, Sara! My sister introduced me to spaghetti squash years ago when she was on her health kick.
Florian @ContentednessCooking
This looks fantastic perfect for summer gatherings!
Kacey
Couldn't agree more, Florian 🙂
pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
Saving this for when my CSA gives me some spaghetti squash!
Kacey
Awesome! Might take some time for that spaghetti squash to show up 🙂
Priscilla
I'm going to try this for Sunday night supper. Sounds delicious thank you so much.
Kiano
Summer bod says YES to this recipe! Love how it's super veg packed, esp the addition of portobello
Kacey
Thanks, Kiano! I like how it is both and summer and winter recipe.
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe
Such a yummy way to dress up spaghetti squash! I've never seen a stuffed spaghetti squash recipe before, thanks for sharing!
Kacey
No problem, Michelle. They are super easy to make and so versatile!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Love love love stuffed spaghetti squash this looks perfect and so comforting!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
Well hey! So glad you decided to make stuffed squash..isn't it amazing?! It has become a regular around here and I usually have to double the batch so we can have plenty of leftovers! Loving your flavors here!
Kacey
Thanks for stopping by, Meg! I agree with you, my husband ate the entire squash, so I will definitely have to double the recipe from now on 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny
Spaghetti squash is my all time favorite! Love that you filled it with lots of meaty filling....yum!
Kacey
I am glad I could lure you in with my recipe 🙂
Tonia from TheGunnySack
I LOVE spaghetti squash and just picked some up at the grocery store too! This sounds delicious!
Katerina @ Diethood
Now THIS I can eat!! I'm not too crazy about squash, but this? OH YES PLEASE!
Kacey
It is a great way to mask that squash-feel, isn't it?! Thanks, Katerina 🙂
Marcy
Looks so yummy! I have lots of yellow quash in my garden ready to eat, I'm hoping I can use it as a replacement for the spaghetti squash?
Kacey
Technically I could not see a problem. Spaghetti squash has its own texture that resembles spaghetti noodles. I have seen a lot of stuffed zucchini recipes, so a stuffed summer squash should work. It would still be a nice side dish, just not "stuffed spaghetti squash." 🙂 Also cooking time and preparation will change!
ReallyKraig
Made this tonight...Yum! Loved it. We added diced carrots to the meat sauce for a little extra....well, extra. Definely wi
Be doing this again.
carol ann deike
my baked squash becomes very watery and I have to drain before proceeding with a recipe... do you have this problem ?
Kacey
I have never had the issue but I just did a quick search on Google and found some others deal with this. Some say you may be overcooking the squash. My sister sometimes will remove the "noodles" from the squash and fry them in a saute pan to help with moisture if it becomes an issue.
Linze
Great idea with the spaghetti squash. Love the new twist to an existing favorite.
Cindy
Do you have the nutritional info for the stuffed squash recipe? I am on WW and am trying to figure out the points.
Kacey
I'm sorry, Cindy, I do not. However, my sister and best friend use My Fitness Pal to log their food (it is free) so that program may help 🙂
Liz C
I fixed this tonight for my family of four and it was a huge hit. I loved that this was healthy, tasty and came together quickly! My eight year old said he liked this better than spaghetti. I am so glad I can find Paleo diet foods that the whole family enjoys. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Kacey
I so wish my daughter would love spaghetti squash as much as your 8-year old, haha! But really happy you enjoyed it (be sure to make if often!)
Veronica
So yummy. I didn't have canned tomatoes so I mixed in a little tomato paste and it worked great! This is in our monthly meal rotation because it is packed with so many veggies and so delicious.
Kacey
So happy to hear! When all the fresh garden tomatoes start coming in it will be fun to make this one without the canned tomatoes 🙂
LivingWithTheEssentials
This is absolutely wonderful! I made the squash in the air frye because and it is even better than any I have ever had in the oven. I enjoyed this topping better than the runny tomato sauce I have come to expect. The squash has a chance to shine.
Kacey
I really need to grab an air fryer! Keep hearing wonderful things about them, and the fact you cooked squash in it is amazing!
Linda Langston
Can you freeze the left overs?
Texas Linda
Kacey
I'm sorry, Linda, I am not sure how well spaghetti squash freezes but the sauce itself should be fine to freeze!