Laura’s Kitchen: Lasagna Spaghetti Squash

With fall upon us, now is a great time to experiment with the many varieties of squash! Spaghetti Squash offers a mild flavor and separates into spaghetti-like strands when cooked. When roasted and shredded into strands, it can be used as a pasta substitute and tossed with sauce, cheese or herbs. One of my favorite recipes is Lasagna Spaghetti Squash.

Lasagna Spaghetti Squash

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 medium spaghetti squashes
• 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce (any flavor)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg
•  2 tbsp parmesan cheese

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the spaghetti squash in half the long way and scoop out seeds/insides. 
3. Line a cake pan (9×13 inches) with foil and place open side up in pan, so it looks like a bowl. Set aside.
4. In mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, and parmesan cheese. Set aside.
5. Cook ground turkey, breaking into small pieces in medium sized skillet. Once meat is cooked through, mix with jar of spaghetti sauce. Remove from heat.
6. Add ¼ of the cheese mixture to each of the 4 squash bowls. Then top each squash with ¼ of the meat/sauce mixture. Cover with foil.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes and take off foil (Cook until squash is soft and easily pulls apart with a fork. Cooking time varies depending on size and ripeness).
8. Sprinkle any remaining mozzarella or parmesan cheese on each squash; cook for another 10 minutes uncovered.
9. Let cool for a few minutes before eating!

Have you ever wondered what to do with the different squash you might see at the store? Check out these varieties and learn how to prepare in your own kitchen!

Butternut Squash has a sweet, nutty flavor with a smooth texture when cooked.

• Cooking Methods: Roasted and served as a side dish; pureed into soups or sauces; cubed in stews or grain bowls

Acorn Squash has a mild, slightly nutty flavor.

• Cooking Methods: Halved and roasted, often with maple syrup or brown sugar; stuffed with grains, vegetables, or sausage; mashed like potatoes

Delicata Squash is sweet and creamy with edible skin.  

• Cooking Methods: Sliced into rings and roasted; stuffed with grains or meat; air-fried for a crispy side dish

TIP! Try steaming and blending/pureeing cooked squash into soups or sauces to add creaminess without additional dairy. This also adds more vitamins and fiber to your dish!