Spaghetti squash with beef and ricotta meatballs
5
Points®
Total time: 1 hr • Prep: 15 min • Cook: 45 min • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy
Before there was the spiralizer and zoodles, there was spaghetti squash. When cooked, the insides turn into thin strands that easily separate with a fork, giving you a veggie-based, gluten-free spaghetti alternative.


Ingredients
Cooking spray
4 spray(s)
Uncooked spaghetti squash
2 medium, (2¼ to 2½ lb each)
Kosher salt
½ tsp, divided
Black pepper
½ tsp, divided
Part skim ricotta cheese
⅓ cup(s)
Egg
1 large egg(s)
Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
⅓ cup(s)
Italian seasoning
1 tsp
Garlic
1 clove(s), grated
Uncooked extra lean 96% lean ground beef
12 oz
Marinara sauce
2 cup(s)
Grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup(s), divided
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper.
2
Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Coat the cut sides of the squash halves with cooking spray and season with ¼ tsp each salt and black pepper. Arrange the squash, cut-side down, on one of the prepared pans. Roast the squash until tender when pierced with a knife, about 35 minutes. Turn the squash halves over, cut-side up, and let cool slightly.
3
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the ricotta and egg. Stir in the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and garlic and the remaining ¼ tsp each salt and black pepper. Add the beef and mix well. Divide the meat into 20 portions (about 2 tbsp each) and shape each into a ball. Arrange the meatballs on the remaining prepared pan and coat the tops with cooking spray. Bake the meatballs until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
4
In a medium saucepan, heat the marinara over medium-high, stirring often, until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape the squash into strands with a fork and divide among 4 plates. Top with the marinara, meatballs, and Parmesan.
5
Serving size: about 2½ cups spaghetti squash, ½ cup marinara, 5 meatballs, and 1 tbsp Parmesan
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