Winter Red Sauce over Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 (3-4 pound) spaghetti squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour and 15 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub cut sides with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place squash cut-side up on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until tender.
4. While the squash is roasting, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
5. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the saucepan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
8. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
9. Use a fork to scrape the spaghetti squash into strands and add it to the red sauce.
10. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes more.
11. Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 5g

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and flavorful
• Comforting and satisfying
• Vegetarian-friendly
• Easy to make
• Ideal for a cold winter night

User Comments:

• "This dish is absolutely delicious! The red sauce is rich and flavorful, and the spaghetti squash is a great substitute for traditional pasta."
• "I love how easy this recipe is to make. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner."
• "This dish is a great way to get your veggies in. It's filling and nutritious, too."
• "The spaghetti squash adds a unique and flavorful twist to this classic dish."
• "I highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious and easy winter meal."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be careful when cutting the spaghetti squash. It can be slippery.
• If you don't have a spaghetti squash, you can use regular spaghetti noodles instead.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your spaghetti squash.
• If you want a thicker sauce, add more tomato paste.
• If you don't have any Parmesan cheese, you can use another type of grated cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.