Description

This Spaghetti Squash Casserole is a wholesome, low-carb alternative to traditional pasta dishes. Featuring tender spaghetti squash strands combined with savory ground beef, a flavorful tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, this casserole is baked to golden perfection, offering a comforting and nutritious meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Squash

1 spaghetti squash (cooked)

Beef and Sauce

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

Topping

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Cook Spaghetti Squash: Cook the spaghetti squash until tender. You can bake, microwave, or steam the squash until it is soft enough to shred. Once cooked, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands. Remove strands and set aside.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking the casserole.
Cook Beef Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
Add Tomato Ingredients and Seasoning: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Combine Squash and Sauce: Mix the cooked spaghetti squash strands into the beef and tomato sauce mixture thoroughly.
Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish or spoon it back into the halved squash shells. Evenly top the casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the cheese topping becomes golden and bubbly.

Notes

To cook the spaghetti squash, you can bake it whole at 400°F for about 40-50 minutes until tender, microwave cut halves for 10-12 minutes, or steam until soft.
Drain excess fat from the ground beef to keep the casserole lean and reduce greasiness.
For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: spaghetti squash casserole, low carb casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, healthy pasta alternative, Italian casserole