Sausage stuffed spaghetti squash boat

Steve and I love spaghetti squash. Not because it's healthy, we just love the texture. Low in calories is definitely a bonus. We used to eat spaghetti squash dish at least three times a week a few years ago. From yaki squash noodles to the most predictable, tomato sauce spaghetti. Before we got married, as our wedding's coming close, Steve went on a strict diet and spaghetti squash made a huge difference because he LOVES pasta. All the noodles he loved were switched to spaghetti squash. Then somehow we don't cook it as often as before. Well, it's still the first month of the new year. Still not too late to get the spaghetti squash back on the menu! 

This is a very satisfying meal. Even with regular pasta, this is our go to quick meal when we are all out of ideas or simply lazy. With or without tomato sauce, fennel flavor from Italian sausage gives a lot of flavor to the dish. Texture and the look of the squash really doesn't make you miss the actual pasta. Topping with cheese doesn't necessarily make it the healthiest but it's still got less calories than pasta! I am really not a calorie-counting person but it's good enough to make you feel better. My tot always cleans the bowl spotless when I serve him this. He loves the whole squash family just as much as we do, so it's not a surprise. This is..I would say, a 40 minute meal but not all hands on. Not too bad for a week night meal. =)

 Sausage stuffed spaghetti squash boat

Printable recipe 

*About 2-3 servings

Ingredients :

1 spaghetti squash(about 4 lbs)

1 lb Italian sausage, out of casing

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

24oz marinara sauce

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shredded mozzarella

parsley for garnish

Directions :

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Microwave a whole spaghetti squash for 3 minutes and carefully cut it in half lengthwise. Microwaving makes it so much easier to cut it.

2. Using spray oil, lightly grease a baking sheet and bake spaghetti squash cut sides down for 30-40 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet and saute diced onion and garlic. Add sausage and brown it while crumbling it. When sausage is all cooked and browned, add marinara sauce and simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste

4. When spaghetti squash is done, let it cool to temperature you can handle and carefully scrape it off with a fork, so the flesh comes off like spaghetti. 

5. Stir the "spaghetti" into the sauce. When all mixed, fill the squash shell with it. Top with mozzarella cheese, parsley and pepper. Broil for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned a little. Serve immediately.