Ingredients and Weight:
- Spaghetti Squash (1 large, about 2 pounds)
- Ground Chicken or Turkey (1 pound)
- Onion (1 large, chopped)
- Red Bell Pepper (1, chopped)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Italian Seasoning (2 teaspoons)
- Tomato Sauce (1 cup)
- Cream Cheese (8 oz)
- Cheddar Cheese (8 oz, shredded)
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Preparation Time:
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45-60 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.
- Place squash halves face down on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes until tender.
- In a large skillet, cook ground chicken or turkey with chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic until no longer raw.
- Add Italian seasoning and tomato sauce to the meat mixture and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove squash from oven and, using a spoon, create spaghetti-like strands inside the shell.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti squash.
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese with shredded cheddar cheese and spread over the meat sauce layer.
- Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Information: (per serving, based on 8 servings)
Calories: Approx. 400-500 depending on ingredients used
Fat: Approx. 25g
Carbohydrates: Approx. 30g
Protein: Approx. 25g
(Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients and their nutritional content.)
Dish Characteristics:
- Rich and savory flavor combination of spaghetti squash, meat sauce, and cheese.
- Creative dish that combines traditional spaghetti with a squash alternative.
- Can be customized with different meats or vegetables to suit individual tastes.
User Comments:
- "This was an excellent combination of flavors! The spaghetti squash added a unique texture to the dish."
- "I loved the combination of the sweet squash with the savory meat and cheese. A great dish for a change from traditional pasta."
- "The dish was a bit time-consuming to prepare, but the result was well worth it. My family loved it!"
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Be sure to bake the spaghetti squash long enough to make it tender but not too long so it becomes too dry.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste preference.
- This dish can be customized by adding other vegetables, meats, or even different types of cheese for a unique flavor combination.
