Spaghetti Squash and Skillet Meatballs

For week 22 on my Pregnancy Foodie Project, baby is the size of a spaghetti squash. Cool! I've posted a few recipes featuring this veggie already, as well as a "how to" post about roasting it.

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

These are the best meatballs I've ever made and it kind of happened by accident. I didn't realize until part way through that I didn't have any Italian bead crumbs, but I did have Panko, so I improvised. They were so delicious! I just used my spice rack and added some dried herbs to make my own Italian mix. Also, I used part lean beef and part turnkey sausage, giving them wonderful flavor. Lastly, because I was roasting the spaghetti squash in the oven, I decided to saute the meatballs in a skillet. I've never done that before either, but they were awesome! They had a great char on the outside and the inside was moist and juicy. I'll show you how to cook them in the skillet, or you could also bake them at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

The recipe is also very easy to double. Just freeze what you don't use or eat them as leftovers.

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

     serves 4

2 prepared spaghetti squash 
Skillet Meatballs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 C Panko + 1/2 T dried basil + 1/2 T dried oregano + 1/2 T dried rosemary 

1/4 C minced onion

3 T Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic salt

Pepper

1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/2 lb turkey sausage

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, panko and herbs, onion, Parmesan, garlic salt and pepper. Mixture will seem very wet. Fold in the beef and sausage and mix just until combined. Do not over mix. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls. Heat a large skillet {or two} over medium heat and spray with cook spray.
Drop meatballs in skillet but do not over crowd pan.

Adjust heat as needed. If the heat is too high, the meatballs will get browned on the outside but will not cook inside Cook on each "side" until there is a nice crust covering the meatballs.

Cook meatballs through and remove from pan. Continue in batches until they are all cooked. Place on a cutting board and chop into bite sized pieces. 

Fill cooked spaghetti squash boats with meatball pieces. Top with warmed spaghetti sauce and grated Parmesan.

I served the meal in the boats, but feel free to scoop the spaghetti squash "noodles" into a bowl and top with meat and sauce. This is a great, healthy, meal for those looking for a low carb option. It's filling and easy, and the spaghetti squash reheats well. It's also a fun meal to entertain with because of the presentation. 

For more low carb, spaghetti squash meals, try one of these: Pesto spaghetti squah with Italian chicken and toasted pine nuts, Spaghetti squash pork stir-fry, Roasted spaghetti squash hash brows.