Spaghetti Squash Pasta Bowls

Apr 1, 2021 | Main Dishes, Recipes

A Message From Our Nutritionist

This is a very satiating meal with about 1/2 the carbs of a traditional spaghetti with meat sauce.  It’s much lower on the glycemic scale too and certainly contains more nutirents due to the addition of lentils and the squash. 

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 1 1/2 hrs

Portions: 4 ppl

Ingredients

  • 1 package Italian sausages (4-5 sausages)
  • 1 sm onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3T tomato paste
  • 1 small (398 ml) can fire roasted or regular diced tomatoes 
  • ⅛ tsp chilli peppers
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 small sized spaghetti squash(cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed)
  • ½ cup dried green or brown lentils (rinsed)

Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit  
    2. Bake squash for 30 mins face down and 25 mins face up.  Remove when finished and set aside.

    While the squash is baking, prepare the filling: 

    1. Take the  sausage out of casings and fry on medium heat.  Break apart the sausage meat until the meat is a crumbly like consistency. Then add diced onions and minced garlic.
    2. Saute on med until slightly brown. (approx. 5 mins)
    3. Add tomato paste and combine.
    4. Add diced tomatoes, cinnamon, fennel, and stir.
    5. Add lentils and 3/4 cup of water.
    6. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 mins, checking to ensure there is enough moisture for lentils to absorb.  If not add more water.

    Time to assemble the filling into the cooked spaghetti squash:

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. Put equal amounts of meat sauce filling into each squash half.  Top with parmesan cheese.
    3. Bake open for 20-25 minutes until brown and bubbling. 
    Baingan Bharta

    NUTRITIONIST’S TIP:

    You can omit the lentils if it’s not your thing.  I like the addition of lentils for its fibre and protein value.  They also cook relatively quickly without soaking or pre-cooking.  If you don’t have parmesan cheese, mozzarella or provolone will also work.  For a vegan version, sub any plant based ground crumbles and vegan cheese.

     

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