Easy Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs Recipe
Estimated Cooking Time: 6 Hours on low (or 4 on high) + 20 Minute Prep | Serves 4
Are you ready for winter?
For those of you who think winter is still a long ways away, I hate to break it to you, but we here in Kamloops, British Columbia actually received snow the other day! I’m talking an accumulation that is still on the ground and covering rooftops! At least it is at the higher elevations where we live - that is definitely a price we pay for living in the beautiful mountains.
Regardless of wether or not you’ve seen the white stuff this fall, things are definitely cooling down everywhere. And cooler weather means it’s time to dig out the crock pot!
As winter weather makes its way across the Northern Hemisphere, we start to look towards more warming and comforting dishes. In fact, our body craves more warming foods at this time of year.
And what’s more fall-like than a good-old hearty dish made using squash?
That’s what I have in store for you today - a delicious and super simple crock pot meal that uses squash. Not just any type of squash, but my personal favourite - spaghetti squash!
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Health benefits of spaghetti squash
If you’ve never cooked with spaghetti squash, I urge you to give it a try. It’s relatively easy to cook and takes on the flavour of whatever you pair it with, making it a great pasta alternative - especially if you are following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle.
Why? Spaghetti squash is low in calories, but high in nutrients and fibre. As an added bonus, it does not spike blood sugar levels, making it a great carb alternative for those with diabetes or those concerned about their blood sugar levels.
Other nutrients contained in spaghetti squash:
Vitamin A - supports eye health, skin disorders (including acne), and boost immunity
Vitamin C - supports proper immune, digestive, and bone health
Vitamin B6 - reduces the risk of depression, anemia, and headaches
Manganese - helps regulate cholesterol, blood pressure, and muscle contractions
In addition, spaghetti squash is loaded with antioxidants, especially beta-carotene - a pigment in the squash that helps protect our DNA and cells from damage.
So, if you’ve wanted to give spaghetti squash a try but don’t know how, I’ve got you covered!
Check out this recipe for my Easy Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs.
This Prenatal Recipe e-Book contains higher-energy, nutrient-rich meals to support mothers-to-be. If you are currently pregnant or are in the planning stages of pregnancy, this e-Book is for you - even if you hope to conceive sometime in the next year, it’s never too early to start building necessary nutrient stores.
This Kid-friendly Recipe e-Book was designed to make healthy eating simple and fun for children! It has been designed specifically for children aged 4 to 10, and offers many finger foods, familiar family favourites, and simple snacks - all with a healthier, nutritious advantage.
If you’d like to kick a sugar addiction, if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, or if diabetes runs in your family and you’d like to do what you can now to reduce your risk, these recipes are for you. Each meal is packed with protein and nutrient-dense foods to help balance blood sugar levels and keep you satiated.
Easy Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs
Ingredients:
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1 lb Extra Lean Ground Turkey
1/4 cup All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
1 Egg (whisked)
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
1 Tbsp Oregano (divided)
3 cups Crushed Tomatoes
1 tsp Sea Salt (divided)
1 tsp Black Pepper (divided)
1 Spaghetti Squash (medium)
Parmesan Cheese (to taste)
Tools:
Slow cooker or crock pot
Large mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Large knife
Fork
Method:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, flour, egg, half of the olive oil and half of the oregano. Mix well. Use your clean hands to roll the turkey mixture into small meatballs, about the size of golf balls. Set on a plate.
In the bottom of your slow cooker, add the remaining olive oil and oregano. Add in the crushed tomatoes, half the sea salt and half of the black pepper. Mix well and then submerge your turkey meatballs into the sauce.
Very carefully cut your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Sprinkle the remaining salt and pepper on the spaghetti squash then place it flesh-side up in the tomato sauce. No need to submerge it in the sauce.
Set your slow cooker on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Before you are ready to eat, use tongs to lift the spaghetti squash out of the slow cooker. Use a fork to scrape out the flesh into a sieve/strainer (or onto a layer of paper towel) and let the excess fluid drain off.
Divide the spaghetti squash between plates. Top with meatballs and tomato sauce then sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese.
Dig in and enjoy!
Other Delicious Recipes
Peter Pumpkin-Head Stew
Tips:
If the spaghetti squash is too big to fit into the slow cooker, cut it into quarters.For low-FODMAP, omit the garlic powder.
If you don’t have or can’t find ground turkey, ground beef or ground chicken would also work.
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Please comment below if you make this recipe to let me know how you and your family enjoyed it!
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