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Spaghetti Squash Casserole with Ground Beef and Marinara Recipe

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  • Author: Sue
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

This Spaghetti Squash Casserole is a comforting, healthy alternative to traditional pasta dishes. Featuring tender spaghetti squash strands mixed with a savory blend of lean ground beef, onions, garlic, and rich tomato sauce, then baked with melted mozzarella cheese on top. Perfect for a family dinner that is both nutritious and bursting with Italian flavors.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash (cooked)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes (1 can)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (or pasta sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Spaghetti Squash: Prepare the spaghetti squash by cooking it until tender. You can roast it in the oven, microwave, or boil it according to your preference. Once cooked, use a fork to scrape the flesh, creating spaghetti-like strands. Remove these strands and set them aside for later use.
  2. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  3. Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion has softened, stirring frequently. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning into the beef mixture. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes to blend all the flavors together.
  5. Combine Squash and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti squash strands into the saucepan and mix them thoroughly with the meat and tomato sauce.
  6. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish or spoon it back into the hollowed-out spaghetti squash halves. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and melted perfectly.

Notes

  • You can cook the spaghetti squash by roasting it in the oven at 400°F for 40-45 minutes, microwaving it for 10-12 minutes, or boiling it until tender.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based protein or use mushrooms.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Find it online: https://suerecipe.com/spaghetti-squash-casserole-with-ground-beef-and-marinara-recipe/