Description
Luxurious million dollar spaghetti squash pasta delivers comfort and elegance in one hearty dish. Creamy cheese layers and savory meat sauce combine for a low-carb masterpiece that delights passionate home cooks seeking gourmet flavor without guilt.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Dairy Ingredients:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and carefully slice the spaghetti squash along its length, removing the inner seeds with a spoon.
- Drizzle olive oil over the squash interior, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Position the halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes until the flesh becomes tender and easily separates.
- Using a fork, gently scrape the squash to create spaghetti-like strands and transfer to a separate bowl.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat, eliminating any excess fat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, incorporating Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavors for 6-8 minutes.
- Combine ricotta, sour cream, grated Parmesan, and half the mozzarella in a mixing bowl, stirring until smooth and well-integrated.
- Select a spacious baking dish and create alternating layers: first spaghetti squash strands, then meat sauce, followed by the creamy cheese mixture. Repeat the layering process.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella across the top, creating an even cheese coverage.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375F (190C) and bake for 22-27 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbling surface.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Slice spaghetti squash carefully to avoid uneven cooking, ensuring each half roasts evenly and develops a tender, stringy texture.
- Pat the squash strands dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture that could make the dish watery and dilute the rich flavors.
- Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a lower-fat version without compromising the hearty meat sauce’s deliciousness.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like adding some ricotta or goat cheese for extra creaminess and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 471
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg