If you’re seeking an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet, give spaghetti squash a try. It offers a nutritious alternative to pasta that’s low in carbs and calories. Bonus: As its name implies, the squash shreds into strands that mimic the favorite pasta. Try it as a substitute in any spaghetti recipe.
PREP TIME
10 Min
COOK TIME
2-6 hours
SERVINGS
4
DIFFICULTY
Easy
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash (approximately 2 pounds)
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 24 ounces no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions
- Cut spaghetti squash in half, crosswise. Scoop out the seeds.
- In a large skillet, add ground meat and cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain grease. Add the ground meat to the slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the prepared spaghetti squash halves to a 6-quart slow cooker, hole side down.
- Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-6 hours, or until the spaghetti squash is soft.
- Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the slow cooker using tongs or oven mitts. It will be hot.
- To serve, using a fork, scrape the side of the spaghetti squash so you have long, spaghetti-like strands. Top with the meat sauce from the slow cooker.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 | Calories: 286 | Total fat: 2.2g | Saturated fat: 0.5g | Carbohydrate: 42g | Protein: 17g | Fiber: 10g | Sodium: 616mg
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Spaghetti squash
Recipe provided by ThedaCare Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education, courtesy of fitslowcookerqueen.com
ThedaCare is pleased to offer nutrition and diabetes care. If you’d like to connect with a registered dietitian or diabetes educator, ask your care team for a referral.