Spaghetti Squash with Beef & Ricotta Meatballs
3
Points®
Total time: 1 hr • Prep: 15 min • Cook: 45 min • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy
Before there were spiralizers, there was the spaghetti squash. When baked, the insides turn into thin strands that easily separate when fluffed with a fork, giving you a veggie-based, gluten-free spaghetti alternative. Mixing a touch of part-skim ricotta cheese into the beef mixture for the meatballs keeps them tender and moist, even though the beef is extra lean.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
4 spray(s)
Spaghetti squash
2 medium, (2¼ to 2½ lb each)
Kosher salt
½ tsp(s), divided
Black pepper
½ tsp(s), divided
Part-skim ricotta cheese
⅓ cup(s)
Egg
1 large
Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
⅓ cup(s)
Italian seasoning
1 tsp(s)
Garlic
1 clove(s), large, grated
Uncooked extra lean ground beef 96 % lean 4% fat
12 oz
Jarred fat-free marinara sauce
2 cup(s)
Grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup(s)
Instructions
1
Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut squash in half lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds. Coat cut sides of squash halves with cooking spray, and sprinkle evenly with ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Arrange, cut side down, on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Roast until tender when pierced with a knife, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven; turn squash halves cut side up and cool slightly.
2
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk ricotta and egg. Stir in panko, Italian seasoning, and garlic, and remaining ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Add beef and mix well. Divide mixture into 20 portions, each about 2 tbsp each, shaping each into a ball. Arrange meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
3
In medium saucepan, heat marinara over medium-high, stirring often, until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape all squash into strands with a fork, leaving strands inside squash shells. Top each squash half with ½ cup marinara, 5 meatballs, and 1 tbsp cheese.
4
Per serving (1 filled squash half)
People Also Like
Join the #1 doctor-recommended weight-loss program*
*Based on a 2023 survey by Cerner Enviza of 500 doctors who recommend weight-loss programs to patients.