Quinoa-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Delight
Savor the flavors of this wholesome and hearty dish that transforms the humble spaghetti squash into a glorious vessel for a delicious quinoa and beef stuffing. This recipe, which is free from gluten, dairy, and eggs, is perfect for those looking to enjoy a comforting meal without traditional pasta. Packed with protein and fiber, this nutritious one-dish meal allows for flexibility — feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables or seasonings. Easy to prepare, it's an excellent choice for busy weeknights or when hosting guests who appreciate healthy, flavorful food. Enjoy your 'pasta-free' spaghetti with a delightful tomato sauce that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
spaghetti squash
2 1/2 lbs (cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed)
crushed garlic
1 tablespoon (smeared inside the squash)
olive oil
4 teaspoons (drizzled inside the squash and used for cooking)
extra lean ground beef
1 lb (browned with onions)
small onion
1 (chopped and sautéed)
quinoa
1 cup (rinsed)
beef broth
2 cups (used to cook quinoa)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (combined with diced tomatoes)
diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (combined with tomato paste)
water
as needed (added to adjust sauce consistency)
Italian spices
1 teaspoon (added to sauce)
chopped basil
2 teaspoons (added for flavor)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare the spaghetti squash by cutting it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and pulp. If needed, trim the back flat so the halves can sit upright in a baking dish. Place the squash cut-side up, then smear the insides with crushed garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt. Place in the preheated oven to roast while you prepare the filling.
3
In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned. If desired, include diced green peppers or other vegetables at this stage.
4
Once the beef is cooked, add the rinsed quinoa to the skillet and cook for another minute. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is mostly cooked and the liquid is absorbed. If the quinoa still has a hard center, cook uncovered on medium heat until remaining liquid evaporates.
5
In a separate saucepan, combine the tomato paste and diced tomatoes. Add water gradually until you achieve a pasta sauce-like consistency (approximately 2/3 cup). Simmer on low heat, enhancing with Italian spices and salt to taste. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought pasta sauce instead for convenience.
6
Reserve about 1 cup of the prepared tomato sauce for topping. Fold the remaining sauce into the beef-quinoa mixture and adjust seasonings as needed.
7
Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven. Stuff each half with the quinoa-beef mixture generously. You will likely have leftover stuffing; you can place it around the squash or use it in another dish.
8
Top the stuffed squash with the reserved tomato sauce. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
9
Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake until the squash is tender when pierced, typically between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the initial roasting time. The flesh should shred easily into spaghetti-like strands.
10
Serve each half of the stuffed spaghetti squash with extra sauce on the side for drizzling, if desired. Enjoy your healthy, filling, and satisfying meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quinoa-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Delight?
It is a nutritious, gluten-free dish that uses roasted spaghetti squash as a shell for a hearty filling of quinoa, ground beef, and tomato sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses quinoa and spaghetti squash instead of wheat pasta.
Is the dish dairy-free?
Yes, the core recipe is dairy-free, although you have the option to add Parmesan cheese if desired.
Is this recipe egg-free?
Yes, this recipe does not contain any eggs.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the spaghetti squash for roasting?
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and pulp, and trim the back if necessary so the halves sit flat.
What should I put on the squash before its first roast?
Smear the insides with crushed garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt.
What type of beef is recommended for the filling?
The recipe calls for one pound of extra lean ground beef.
Can I add other vegetables to the stuffing?
Yes, you can include diced green peppers or other favorite vegetables when browning the beef.
Should the quinoa be rinsed before cooking?
Yes, you should rinse the quinoa before adding it to the skillet.
How long does the quinoa need to simmer?
Simmer the quinoa in beef broth for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
What should I do if the quinoa is still hard after simmering?
Cook it uncovered on medium heat until any remaining liquid evaporates.
How do I make the homemade tomato sauce?
Combine tomato paste and diced tomatoes, then gradually add water until you reach a sauce-like consistency.
How much water is typically needed for the sauce?
Approximately 2/3 cup of water is usually enough to achieve the right consistency.
Can I use store-bought pasta sauce instead?
Yes, you can use your favorite store-bought pasta sauce for convenience.
What spices are added to the tomato sauce?
The recipe uses Italian spices, chopped basil, and salt to taste.
How much sauce should I reserve for the topping?
Reserve about 1 cup of the prepared tomato sauce to top the squash before the final bake.
What do I do with the sauce that isn't reserved?
Fold the remaining sauce into the beef and quinoa mixture.
What if I have leftover stuffing after filling the squash?
You can place the extra stuffing around the squash in the baking dish or save it for another meal.
Is cheese required for this recipe?
No, but you can sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor if you prefer.
How long is the final baking time?
Bake for 30 to 60 minutes until the squash is tender when pierced.
How can I tell when the spaghetti squash is fully cooked?
The squash is done when the flesh is tender and shreds easily into spaghetti-like strands.
How should I serve this dish?
Serve each half with extra sauce on the side for drizzling.
Is this meal high in protein?
Yes, the combination of lean ground beef and quinoa provides a high protein content.
Can this be a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is designed as a satisfying and nutritionally complete one-dish meal.
How do I sauté the onions?
Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chopped onions until they are translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.
What liquid is used to cook the quinoa?
The recipe uses 2 cups of beef broth to cook the quinoa for extra flavor.
Can I swap the beef for a different protein?
Yes, the recipe is flexible; you could use ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
Is this recipe good for hosting guests?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for guests who appreciate healthy, flavorful, and allergen-friendly food.
How much spaghetti squash is needed?
The recipe calls for a spaghetti squash weighing approximately 2 1/2 lbs.