This delicious skillet meal is low carb and full of veggies!
Who else loves easy, one pot meals? Throwing ingredients together in a skillet and ending up with a delicious meal is one of my favorite things to do!
Dishes like this make a complete meal on their own! Or you can add a salad and some crusty sourdough bread on the side to round it out. [Keep in mind the bread would turn this meal into a crossover if you follow the Trim Healthy Mama plan.]
This easy spaghetti squash recipe that I’m sharing today is full of veggies, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and delicious fall flavors. Then it is topped with a sprinkling of melting cheese to make it absolutely perfect! Of course if you are dairy free you can omit that part.
Is spaghetti squash low carb?
The answer is YES!!
I just love spaghetti squash. I think it is one of the superstars of the Trim Healthy Mama world!
Not only is it low carb, it can also be eaten in a Deep S setting! Deep S meals pull out any higher carb foods like dairy, and veggies like peas, brussels sprouts, peppers and tomatoes that can normally be eaten in S meals.
When I think of squash I tend to assume they are higher in carbs. Some of them like butternut squash are, and have to be limited in S meals.
But not spaghetti squash! A serving of one cup only has 5.5 grams of net carbs and is the perfect low carb pasta alternative!
[For more information on the different kinds of Trim Healthy Mama meals read this post: Trim Healthy Mama Meal Types Explained]
What does spaghetti squash taste like?
Spaghetti squash has a very mild, slightly nutty flavor that goes with pretty much anything. It is perfect for putting all your favorite sauces on! Spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce, pesto, hamburger gravy….
While things like Dreamfields pasta, or even better, konjac noodles are also good low carb pasta options, with spaghetti squash you are also getting all the nutrients and slimming benefits of a vegetable!
How do I cook spaghetti squash?
There are two options for cooking your spaghetti squash. One is in the oven and the other is in an Instant Pot.
I have always done mine in the oven but I definitely want to try doing it in the Instant Pot since that is a lot quicker.
In the oven:
When I’m cooking it in the oven, I cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then I simply place the squash halves cut side down on a parchment paper lined baking pan. I roast mine at 450 degrees and depending on the size of the squash, it takes about 20-25 minutes.
After 20 minutes, try sticking a knife into the squash. If it goes in easily, you know it is ready. If not, continue cooking until tender. I like my squash to be just tender, but not over cooked or the strings can be a little on the mushy side.
Once your squash is done cooking, let it cool to room temperature and scrape out the insides. You will have perfect little squash strings ready to use in whatever recipe you have your eye on, hopefully this one, lol.
In the Instant Pot:
To cook a spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot, you cut it in half, but not lengthwise this time or it won’t fit into the pot. You then place it on a steamer tray over water and cook on high for 7-8 minutes. Here is a great post explaining exactly how to do it: Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot.
How to perfectly cook ground meat
To make this recipe, you cook the ground beef first and then set it aside to add back in at the end.
When I’m cooking ground meat I like to follow a method I learned from watching a Gordon Ramsey video.
The key is to make sure your pan is perfectly hot before you add your meat. You want it to start cooking the minute it hits the skillet! Keep the temperature on high the whole time you are cooking so the juices evaporate away and the meat doesn’t get soggy!
Also, break the meat up as you add it to the pan, rather than just putting the whole chunk in and then breaking it up with a spoon. Try not to over crowd the meat so that each little piece cooks on its own and gets perfectly crispy and golden brown!
After crumbling the meat into the pan, sprinkle on your spice mixture and then let it cook on high heat WITHOUT STIRRING until it is almost cooked through. Since your pan was already hot when you added the meat, it is cooked almost as soon as you add it.
Not stirring it gets the bottom that delicious golden crispiness! Once it is almost cooked, stir the meat to completely finish cooking.
Perfect every time and no soggy, lack luster flavor! Ground meat cooked this way is absolutely delicious.
What else is in this recipe?
Other than spaghetti squash and ground beef, this dish also has onions, garlic, mushrooms and spinach. Talk about getting in your veggies!
And it is seasoned with some of my favorite spices. Thyme, rosemary and red pepper flakes are the perfect compliment to each other and go so well in this recipe.
So what are you waiting for? Cook up a squash, get some ground meat out of the freezer and let’s make this!
Some other skillet meals you might enjoy:
Curried Cabbage Breakfast Scramble
Spaghetti Squash and Ground Beef Hash printable recipe:
Easy Spaghetti Squash and Ground Beef Hash
Ingredients
For the meat:
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
For the rest of the recipe:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 medium sized onion diced
- 2 cups sliced button mushrooms
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 3/4 – 1 teaspoon sea salt divided
- 1 medium sized spaghetti squash cooked, 3-4 heaping cups
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 huge handfuls of fresh spinach
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
For the meat:
- Mix together the spices for the meat in a small dish.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat until good and hot. You want the meat to be sizzling as soon as it hits the pan.
- Add the oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Crumble in the ground meat and sprinkle on the spices.
- Cook without stirring over high heat until the meat is almost cooked through. Then stir the meat to completely finish cooking and mix in the spices, making sure to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the cooked meat to a bowl and set aside.
For the rest of the recipe:
- Return the skillet to the stove over medium heat. There is no need to wipe it out. Melt in the 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and add in the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Sprinkle on the red pepper flakes, thyme and rosemary and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt.
- Saute for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms and onions are tender. Use the liquid released from the mushrooms to loosen any meat bits left on the bottom of the skillet.
- Add in the cooked spaghetti squash and ground meat. Sprinkle on the remaining 1 teaspoon each of onion and garlic powder and 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt. Stir to combine. Add in the spinach and cover with a lid or cookie sheet. Cook 1-2 minutes to wilt the spinach.
- Remove the lid and stir all together. Continue to cook another minute or so or until everything is heated through. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Sprinkle on the cheese and remove the skillet from the heat. Let the cheese melt before serving.
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I only made half the recipe since I only had half a spaghetti squash and it was very tasty. I also used a left over turkey cut up instead of the ground beef so it was that much better. Thank you for the recipe. Spaghetti squash is a great veggies but it makes a lot for one meal so it is nice you can expend the meal to something more like this,
Thanks for the review Sylvie! I’m glad you liked this recipe!
Our family loves spaghetti squash too! This is a beautiful recipe that looks delicious, will definitely be adding it into our rotation!
Enjoy!!😄
This looks delicious! We love spaghetti squash. I think this would make a great gluten-free option for us. Going to add this to my dinner menu this week. Thanks for sharing recipe.
You are welcome!! It is very easy to throw together as well, especially if the spaghetti squash is pre-cooked!
This looks so delicious that I’ll need to make it very soon! Thank you for another yummy recipe, Hannah!
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy it!😊
Ooo… I love spaghetti squash! I’ve always cooked mine in the oven as well. I should check out the faster way though! Thanks for sharing a good looking idea!
I love spaghetti squash too!!
This looks like a real wholesome meal my family would love. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re welcome!😊