Imagine a mouthwatering meal that combines the hearty comfort of classic Italian meatballs with a surprisingly healthy twist - all prepared effortlessly in your slow cooker! This game-changing recipe transforms the traditional pasta dish into a low-carb, nutrient-packed feast that will have your family begging for seconds. Forget complicated cooking techniques and hours of prep time - we're about to show you how to create a restaurant-worthy dinner with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the spaghetti squash by cutting it in half lengthwise and removing the seeds. If desired, lightly brush the inside with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1-
- 5 inches in diameter. This should yield about 12-15 meatballs.
- Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the spaghetti squash halves cut-side down in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Arrange the prepared meatballs around and on top of the spaghetti squash.
- Pour marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs and squash, ensuring everything is well-coated.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for 5-6 hours, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the squash is tender.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the spaghetti squash halves and use a fork to shred the interior into spaghetti-like strands.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over the prepared spaghetti squash strands. Optionally, garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Tips
- For extra-tender meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture, which can make them tough.
- Use a cookie scoop or wet hands to create uniform meatball sizes for even cooking.
- If your spaghetti squash is large, you might need to cut it into smaller sections to fit in the slow cooker.
- For a deeper flavor, consider browning the meatballs quickly in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Check the internal temperature of meatballs - they should reach 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- If the sauce seems thin after cooking, you can thicken it by removing the lid and cooking on high for the last 30 minutes.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can add a bright, fresh finish to this hearty dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 110mg
