Frugal Meals for 31 Days // Day 16 Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

October 16, 2012

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna is honestly one of my favorite meals. I could literally eat it every day, and am actually sad when we run out. Jeremy doesn't feel the same way about leftovers on the 4th day as I do, but some things can just be consumed more than one day in a row. 

Take for instance salad, I eat salad every day for two weeks, then stopped.
I had a healthy McMuffin everyday for a month, and then stopped. 
I am on week two now of lavash wraps with feta, spinach, and hummus. It hasn't stopped yet. 

Some things I can eat repeatedly and never tire of it. This is one of those recipes. Just like Taco Soup and Chili, Spaghetti Squash Lasagna is better the next day. Sitting overnight in the fridge lets the tomato sauce soak into the squash and just does something divine. 




Ingredients:
1 large or 2 small spaghetti squash
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce (or make your own, Jeremy loves Prego)
1 small container of ricotta cheese (our grocery store always has 2 sizes I just take the smaller)
1 medium onion
1lb of ground turkey or beef
1 1/2c shredded Italian cheese blend
Italian Seasoning
Salt & Pepper

Method:
Poke several holes in the spaghetti squash and place in the microwave for 12 minutes. Allow squash to sit and steam for an additional 5 minutes. (I've tried several methods and this one for cooking spaghetti squash works the easiest.)

While the squash is cooking dice the onion and saute until translucent. Add ground meat when onions are almost done and cook meat and onions together until meat is browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste. Add marinara sauce and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Preheat to 375. Slice squash at the equator and spoon out the seeds. Using a fork scrape the inside allowing pulling out the strands of squash until only the skin is left.

To assemble the lasagna pour about 1/2 c of meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and spread evenly. Evenly spread out 1/2 of the squash and top with 1/2 of the remaining sauce. Top with 1/2 of the ricotta and 1/2 c of shredded cheese/ Next layer the other half of the squash, remaining sauce, ricotta, and shredded cheese. Place in the 375 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and browned.

**My oven was taking forever to brown the cheese so I turned it to broil for the last two minutes and watched it.