Baked Spaghetti (Squash) Casserole

Ingredients

Noodles

• 1 small to medium spaghetti squash
• salt & pepper

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion (white or yellow)
• 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes ((I prefer the fire roasted kind when available.))
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Eggs

• 3 eggs

Toppings

• 3 – 4 medium tomatoes ((sliced into thin circles))
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Method

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Slice your spaghetti squash in half length wise. Scoop out the seeds and gooey center. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Lay cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done because the skin will give a little under pressure and the cut side (with the noodles) will have some browning. While your squash is baking move on to the next step. Once your spaghetti squash is cooked remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.

3. 3

   Add ground beef and diced onion to large sauté pan. Cook over medium to medium high heat until beef is browned. Add minced garlic and stir until golden, about one minute. Turn off heat. Add remaining meat sauce ingredients. Stir until well combined.

4. 4

   Scoop out 1 1/2 cups of the finished meat sauce and set aside.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl whisk the eggs thoroughly.

6. 6

   Pour your whisked eggs into the meat sauce remaining in the pan and stir until the eggs are completely mixed in.

7. 7

   Brush olive oil along the inside of a 9 x 13 baking dish to prevent sticking.

8. 8

   Use a fork to pull the spaghetti squash out of the skin and add to the baking dish. You want them to be noodle-like so if they clump together some just separate with your fork.

9. 9

   Add your meat sauce/egg mixture (remember you should still have 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce without any egg set aside). Stir together with your squash using a fork or spoon. Spread in your baking dish.

10. 10

    Pour the 1 1/2 cups meat sauce you set aside over top and spread.

11. 11

    Add the sliced tomatoes in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and chopped fresh basil.

12. 12

    Place in the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. (Any additional moisture on the top should absorb back into the casserole while it sits.)