Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
on Aug 16, 2019, Updated Apr 15, 2024
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Get ready for the ultimate spaghetti and meatballs switcharoo… This spaghetti squash with meatballs and tomato sauce is just as delicious and flavorful with even more vitamins and nutrients!
You’ll love how my go-to roasting method for spaghetti squash gets turned into this simple healthy meal that the whole family will love. If your whole family DOESN’T love it, try serving pasta, spaghetti squash, the sauce, and the meatballs separately so that everyone can make their own meal. Setting up a meal like this helps everyone to be in charge of what they are eating without being a short order cook.
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Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
Raise your hand if you’ve got a house full of pasta lovers. *raises own hand immediately* Pasta is SORT of a big deal around here, and in an effort to play off of our love of pasta, I have started serving spaghetti squash along side our meals so that the kids can try it, add it to their pasta, eat it plain, eat it like a pasta-sub, or any other way they can think.
Introducing little people to new veggie is easy when it looks a whole lot like pasta and there’s meatballs involved. Paired with a classic marinara sauce and some hearty meatballs? We are in spaghetti heaven, you guys.
You can use store-bought meatballs or make your own using my easy recipe (they’re GOOD), and just heat the sauce and meatballs on low in a saucepan before adding them to the cooked spaghetti squash. It’s an amazingly simple and tasty weeknight meal that’ll fill you up and satisfy those pasta cravings through and through.
What goes well with spaghetti squash with meatballs and tomato sauce?
If you’re looking for a side, you can’t go wrong with a little garlic bread. Simply roast your favorite bread (baguettes do very well) with some butter or olive oil and minced garlic on top for about 10 minutes at 450 degrees F., or until it reaches the crunchy consistency you like. A simple side salad would also be perfect!
Is spaghetti squash in season?
Spaghetti squash is harvested in early fall. But because it keeps so well in cool storage areas, it’s available throughout the fall, winter, and spring. You may even be able to find it in early summer, as well!
Should spaghetti squash be crunchy?
I like a solid al dente consistency, which is a firm noodle consistency, but not crunchy. It’s totally up to personal preference, but generally, spaghetti squash is easier to shred the more tender it is (and the longer it’s cooked).
Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Give the squash a quick rinse.
- Cut the blossom end and stem end off of the squash.
- Cut the squash into rings that are 2 inches wide.
- Use a spoon to scrape out any seeds from the middle of the rings.
- Place the rings on the baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- If you have time, let the rings rest for 15 minutes (so that the salt will bring some of the water out of the squash — this helps but isn’t crucial).
- Cover the pan tightly with foil, and bake for 10 minutes (the foil helps to steam the squash).
- Uncover and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until the squash is very tender and pulls apart with a fork.
- While the squash is cooking, heat the marinara and meatballs together (on low on the stove or in the microwave).
- Remove the squash from the oven and shred. Divide the meatballs and marinara evenly among the squash.
- Serve with chopped fresh herbs or shredded cheese on top.
Notes
- If you don’t want to warm the sauce separately, you can combine the marinara sauce and meatballs and then add them to the shredded spaghetti squash. Then return them to the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the sauce and meatballs are warmed through.
- You can find my pretty enamelware dishes from Rove and Swig. I’m OBSESSED.
Nutrition
Other winter squash recipes:
- Homemade Butternut Squash Soup
- Simple Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
- How to Cook a Whole Butternut Squash in the Slow Cooker
- How to Roast Butternut Squash
- Simple Lentil Curry with Butternut Squash
- Grilled Butternut Squash in a foil packet
- How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Instant Pot
- The Best Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash
Other pasta recipes:
- Easy Homemade Meatballs Recipe
- Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta
- Quick and Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
- 30 Minute Simple Roasted Tomato and Sausage Pasta
Enjoy this spaghetti squash with meatballs and tomato sauce any day of the week for a lighter (but still flavorful and filling) alternative to spaghetti and meatballs!
