Mushrooms and Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash

mushroom meatballs with spaghetti squash maria provenzano

Weeknight dinners can be a huge pain to think about.  It's the middle of the week and you don't feel like being creative.  It's easy to eat badly BUT you will be so much happier if you actually take a little extra time to be healthy.  Keep this one in your back pocket. Why?  Because spaghetti squash is so good!  It's slightly sweet with a bit of crunch and when it's roasted it has a rich char flavor to it.  It's nice paired with meat because it balances out the savory flavor.  I try to keep some kind of meat in the freezer.  This recipe can be made with beef, turkey, or chicken.  I don't want to preach too much about this, but if you can try to use organic meat... it's worth it!  I have never been a huge meat eater, but when I was pregnant my body craved meat.  Then, when I had my baby it didn't change.  I feel like every once in awhile I need that extra protein.  Mushrooms with Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash is a protein packed meal that is light on carbs and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

mushroom meatballs

Mushrooms with Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash 

Makes about 4 servings

1 spaghetti squash; about 3 pounds

8oz mushrooms; sliced

1 pound ground meat; you can use beef, turkey, or chicken

2 tablespoons whole wheat bread crumbs

1 onion; finely chopped

2 cloves garlic; minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; optional

2 teaspoons fresh oregano; chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1/4 cup white wine

1 cup vegetable stock

4 cups fresh spinach

Instructions:

*Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

*Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scrape down the insides to remove the seeds

*Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil

*Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour until the squash is fork tender (meaning you can use a fork to lightly pierce and pull apart the insides of the squash

*Set aside to cool enough to handle

*In a large skillet heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat

*Place in the finely chopped onion and a sprinkle of salt

*Cook until softened

*Add in the minced (very finely chopped) garlic and red pepper flakes if using

*Add in the oregano and thyme

*Cook for a about a minute being careful not to brown the garlic

*Pour the mixture into a bowl and allow to cool a bit

*In another bowl place the meat and bread crumbs

*Sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper

*Pour in HALF of the onion and garlic mixture into the meat; keep the other half for later

*Mix the meat and onion mixture together with your clean hands until well combined; don't over mix or the meatballs will be tough

*Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

*Use a small scoop or spoons to scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture

*This will make about 18-20 meatballs

*Once they are all scooped out use your hands to lightly roll them to form a ball

*Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for about 10 minutes; if you are using poultry make sure they are cooked through

*Meanwhile in the same skillet you used to cook the onions place 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium/high heat

*Clean the mushrooms by wiping the tops with a damp paper towel and removing the stems

*Cut into about 1/4 inch thick slices

*When the pan in hot add in the mushrooms and cook until they release their juices and they start to evaporate

*This is when the mushrooms will start to brown

*Once they start to brown add in the onion and garlic mixture

*Allow to cook a bit longer and then add in the white wine

*This will boil and smell amazing!

*Then add in the vegetable stock

*Place the cooked meatballs into the pan with the mushroom mixture

*Allow the flavors to cook a bit more together for a couple minutes over low to medium heat

*Place the spinach in the pan; this may look like a lot of spinach, but it will cook down

*Use a large spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients so that the spinach cooks down

*Add salt and pepper to taste

*Use a fork to scrape out the spaghetti squash and place a serving onto a plate

*Top the spaghetti squash with the mushrooms, meatballs, and spinach

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mushroom meatballs

mushroom meatballs

mushrooms meatballs

mushroom meatballs

mushroom meatballs

mushroom meatballs

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