Easy & Healthy Italian Spaghetti Squash Bake
This easy and healthy Italian Spaghetti Squash Bake offers a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional pasta dishes. Featuring tender spaghetti squash combined with a rich meat sauce and topped with bubbly mozzarella, it's a satisfying meal perfect for a keto or low-carb lifestyle.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- 9x13 inch casserole baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 batch prepared Keto Italian Meat Sauce (or your favorite low-carb meat sauce)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roast the Squash: Carefully slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out all the seeds. Lightly brush the cut sides with a touch of olive oil, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for about 35 minutes, or until the flesh is tender enough to easily scrape with a fork.
- Prepare the Sauce: While your spaghetti squash is roasting, gently warm up your prepared Keto Italian Meat Sauce. If you're using a store-bought low-carb marinara, for an extra hearty and healthy boost, consider browning some ground beef and Italian sausage to stir into it.
- Shred the Squash: Once the roasted squash has cooled enough to handle, use a fork to gently scrape out the "spaghetti-like" strands into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Flavors: Pour about two-thirds of your delicious Italian meat sauce over the spaghetti squash strands. Gently mix everything together until all the squash is beautifully coated in the savory sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly spray a 9x13 inch casserole baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour the spaghetti squash and sauce mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top it Off: Spoon the remaining meat sauce evenly over the squash layer, then generously sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and a lovely golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
This hearty and healthy casserole is perfect for a satisfying, low-carb meal!
Healthy Tip: Salting the squash before roasting helps draw out excess moisture, which prevents your casserole from becoming watery.
Healthy Tip: To ensure a perfectly firm casserole, you can lightly blot the spaghetti squash strands with paper towels to remove any remaining excess moisture before mixing.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 196 kcal
- Total Carbs: 11g
- Net Carbs: 9g
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 20g
