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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Main Dish

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    Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

    Published: Jan 18, 2016 · Updated: Aug 14, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Easy Spaghetti squash with meatballs Pinterest pin
    Spaghetti squash with meatballs Pinterest pin

    If you are going to make Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs, I ask of you one thing: just brush up on your squash knowledge, please!



    Let me tell you why I say that. The grocery store I go to in the city is first, awesome (my opinion), second, totally bustling, packed and crazy. So, even the produce isle is sometimes like a Broccoli-Scallion Circus.
    The other day I was minding my own business and weaving in and out of store workers and shoppers, checking things off my list. One store worker came up to another, reached for the fennel and asked "this is spaghetti squash?"

    Meatballs and squash on gray plate red napkin

    Clearly someone had asked for it and he was headed to grab it for them. I couldn't help it--my inner New Yorker came out and my brow furrowed and I blurted out "That's fennel!" I quickly realized that part of my New York personality is never really helpful, so I nicely explained that spaghetti squash is smooth-skinned, the size of a football, bright yellow and is probably over by the butternut squash. I pointed. I did. I pointed the produce guy to HIS produce! I'm terrible.

    But...what is this world coming to?
    Friends, this is what spaghetti squash looks like.

    Melissas Produce spaghetti squash

    Photo courtesy of Melissa's Produce

    Cooking tips for Spaghetti Squash:

    I suggest you cook the squash in the microwave for a few minutes to soften the skin. This makes it much easier to cut it in half. Then simply scrape the seeds out, season and cook. This trick works for any hard, tough-skinned squash.

    squashmeatball1a

    These meatballs are tender, flavorful and mini! I love making them ahead, even a double batch, and keeping them in the freezer. Meatballs take a little chopping and mixing, so I typically double the recipe whenever I make them. They're so easy to freeze and use several weeks later for a different meal. Saving time left and right.

    Squashmeatball in bowl

    📖 Recipe

    Spaghetti Squash and beef Meatballs

    Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

    Tara Teaspoon
    Looking for a light, easy alternative for spaghetti?  Try Spaghetti squash! Then classically top it with melt-in-your-mouth savory meatballs.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 55 meatballs

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 3½- 4- lb spaghetti squash
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ recipe Mini Meatballs (recipe to follow)
    • 3½ cups jarred marinara sauce
    • 1 garlic clove (sliced)
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    • ½ cup (2 oz) shredded Parmesan

    Mini Meatballs

    • 1 lb ground pork
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 medium onion (minced (1 cup))
    • ½ red bell pepper (minced (½ cup))
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 3 tablespoon plain dry bread crumbs
    • 1 large egg
    • 1½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (crushed)
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Microwave whole squash on High 5 minutes to soften. When just cool enough to handle, cut lengthwise in half and scoop out seeds. Place, cut side down in a shallow microwave-safe dish and microwave on High until flesh is completely softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Using a fork, pull squash from skin in long strands; set aside.
    • While squash is cooling, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add meatballs and turn to coat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a saucepan and add sauce (reserve skillet); cook over medium-low heat until heated through about 2 minutes.
    • Wipe skillet clean, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Toss in squash and sauce and cook 2 minutes; add salt and pepper to taste.
    • On a serving platter, mound squash, top with meatballs and sauce, then sprinkle with parsley and cheese.
    • Meatballs Instructions
    • In a large bowl, using hands, mix together all ingredients until combined well. Using 1 tablespoon mixture for each, roll into balls. (Can be made ahead: Transfer to a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1 hour. Divide between two heavy-duty resealable plastic bags, seal and freeze up to 3 weeks. Let stand at room temperature 10 min before cooking.)

    Notes

    Nutrition is for 1 meatball and 1 tablespoon squash.
    Cooking tips: I suggest you cook the squash in the microwave for a few minutes to soften the skin. This makes it much easier to cut it in half. Then simply scrape the seeds out, season and cook. This trick works for any hard, tough-skinned squash.
    Try my other meatballs recipes: 
    • Mexican Meatballs with Chipotle
    • Pesto and Red Pepper Beef Meatballs
    • Chicken Meatballs with Cumin and Orange

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 184mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 195IUVitamin C: 4.1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 0.6mg
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    If this recipe looks good, you'll probably be into my Brussels Sprouts with Apricot and Pistachios and Chicken and Rice Lettuce Wraps

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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipe and Food Styling Tara Bench. Photography Amy Kalyn Sims. Prop Styling Barb Fritz. Originally published in LHJ, 1/2008

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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    1. Mary says

      July 19, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Certainly a tasty recipe! Love to be able to use squash!

      Reply
    2. Anne Marie Miller says

      July 30, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      I've been looking for a good spaghetti squash recipe! This one looks amazing and I can't wait to try it!!

      Reply
    Easy Spaghetti squash with meatballs Pinterest pin
    Spaghetti squash with meatballs Pinterest pin

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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