Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Total Time:Prep: 10 min. Cook: 25 min.

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Lina Vainauskas, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Jun. 29, 2023

When my mom and I cooked spaghetti squash with meat sauce, all we could do was grin and say "Wow!" It's fun to separate the noodle-like strands from the squash shell, but eating it is the best part! —Lina Vainauskas, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Yield:6 servings
Prep:10 min
Cook:25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 can (28 ounces) tomato puree
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Slice squash lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place squash, cut side down, in a baking dish. Add water and cover tightly with foil. Bake until easily pierced with a fork, 20-30 minutes. <br> Meanwhile, in a cast-iron or other heavy large skillet, cook beef over medium heat, crumbling meat, until no longer pink; drain. Add onion, green pepper, herbs and seasonings; cook and stir until onion is tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in tomato puree. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  2. Scoop out squash, separating the strands with a fork. Just before serving, stir 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese into meat sauce. Serve sauce over spaghetti squash with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.