Spaghetti squash is just begging to be used as its namesake, isn't it? That's why this Paleo Spaghetti Squash & Meatball Casserole Recipe needs to get made, stat.
If you can't imagine spaghetti without plump meatballs nestled among the strands, you probably immediately thought of spaghetti and meatballs when you first heard of spaghetti squash. (Me, too). I quickly learned that spaghetti squash isn't literally a squash that tastes like spaghetti and meatballs, and it's much more versatile than that. (See, for example, spaghetti squash chow mein).
Still, this simple gluten free recipe has been a long time comin', and I'm glad it's finally ready to share on the DoYouEvenPaleo!
Legit conversation that happened with my spouse the first time I made this spaghetti squash & meatball casserole:
Him: "I'm surprised you're eating this!"
Me: "Why? It's good."
Him: "But you haven't eaten pasta in... years."
Me: "... This isn't pasta."
Him: "What? No way. What is it, then?"
Apparently my husband didn't really get spaghetti squash until that night. But, nonetheless, he adored this casserole even though he's a squash hater.
Isn't it a little weird that spaghetti squash is the only squash that gourd-haters seem to like? Meanwhile, I'd rather be inhaling a feast of roasted kabocha squash. Awwww yeah.
Not to say I don't like spaghetti squash. I just don't bother with it most of the time.
But when you're prepping meatballs and the thought for a big, hearty, cook-once-and-eat-for-the-week casserole pops into your head, you've got to pursue that shit.
Frankly. casseroles are my favorite use for spaghetti squash. The stringy gourd makes an excellent base for all types of combinations, like Chicken Bacon Ranch. Unlike other squashes, spaghetti squash is pretty neutral, so the other add-ins impart the flavor.
Moving on. Let's talk about the sauce. One recurring theme of this blog is no bland food. I made this casserole a number of times, tweaking the sauce and meatballs until I hit on the right amount of spice. Because seriously, spaghetti sauce shouldn't taste like tomato sauce. You've got to have notes of basil, oregano, and parsley. Ah, now that's a good marinara!
Paleo Spaghetti Squash & Meatball Casserole
📖 Recipe
Spaghetti Squash & Meatball Casserole
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: baked
Ingredients
For the Spaghetti Squash & Sauce
- 1 large spaghetti squash (for 8 cups cooked squash)
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced (½ cup)
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork or ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons almond flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon basil
- ½ tablespoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Place the squash cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook for 45 minutes or until squash is tender. Use a fork to separate out the spaghetti squash strands from the peel. Let cool enough to handle. Measure out 8 cups spaghetti squash for the recipe (give or take - a little more or a little less won't hurt anyone).
- Reduce the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes or until onion has softened and turned translucent. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked spaghetti squash, sautéed onion and garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper until the spaghetti squash is coated evenly.. Place in a large 9x13 casserole dish.
- In a separate medium bowl, mix the meatball ingredients - be careful not to over-mix, or the meatballs will turn out tough! Form meatballs and arrange in rows across spaghetti squash and sauce mixture. Bake for 40 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. Garnish the finished casserole with some fresh parsley, if desired. This casserole will keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Serve warm.
Keywords: spaghetti squash meatball casserole, paleo casserole, meatball casserole, spaghetti squash casserole
Darra Brown says
Could I replace the almond flour with coconut flour? Or do you recommend replacing with something else?
Chelsea says
Hmm. I think you could substitute coconut flour, but I'd be a little afraid it would soak up too much moisture. If I were making the casserole again and ran out of almond flour, I'd probably just leave it out entirely! Let me know what you do and how it works!
robert j. walters says
you already know that I'm going to kick it up a little with a home grown serrano pepper !!! ... just a whole one used when cooking the meatballs ... imparts just a little tang , dontcha know !!!
Chelsea says
Sounds like a great idea!
Jill says
I make meatballs for my freezer and would like to be able to use them for the top of this casserole. They’ve already been cooked. At what point and with what prep (beyond defrosting) would you advise adding the mean balls?
Thanks!!
Chelsea says
Hmmm. I'd probably start the spaghetti squash/sauce mixture on its own in the oven, then add the defrosted meatballs after about 30 minutes. Then finish it all off for another 10 minutes or longer to warm up the meatballs. Hope that works!
Cassondra Kasun says
Is the pictures displayed one batch or is it a double?
Chelsea says
It's been years since this recipe was published, but I rarely make a recipe differently just for photos. So my assumption is it's one batch!