When that time comes around, all I want is something simple, and this Turkey Marinara Spaghetti Squash is exactly that. Who doesn’t love an easy weeknight dinner? Spaghetti squash is a delicious and versatile meal that can be made with just five ingredients, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
The abundance of spaghetti squash in autumn is one of my favorite things about the season. I usually buy one at Trader Joe’s (the best place to buy them because they don’t weigh them for price!) and use it for simple weekday meals. Once you make one, it can become a base for so many different combinations. There are so many different ways to experiment with these! Try it with shredded chicken, ground turkey, beef, or pesto, or with lots or none of your favorite vegetables.
These Turkey Marinara Spaghetti Squash Boats are as simple as it gets. They make for a balanced dinner that will keep you feeling satisfied after enjoying it. I promise that everyone in the family—even the one who might not be a fan of spaghetti squash—will adore it!
Looking for a healthy and flavorful weeknight dinner that’s easy to make? Look no further than ground turkey with spaghetti squash! This versatile dish can be customized to your liking with different sauces, vegetables and toppings.
Two Delicious Recipes for Ground Turkey with Spaghetti Squash:
1. Turkey Marinara Spaghetti Squash
This recipe from One Balanced Life features a simple marinara sauce that complements the ground turkey and spaghetti squash perfectly. It’s a great option for those who are looking for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 small/medium spaghetti squash
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Dash of pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Poke holes in spaghetti squash and microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds.
- Top spaghetti squash with avocado oil spray and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Brown ground turkey in a pan with a little oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Scrape out the cooked spaghetti squash and mix with ground turkey, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Place the mixture back into the spaghetti squash shells.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 7-9 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Enjoy!
2. Spaghetti Squash with Ground Turkey & Brown Butter
This recipe from Holistic Foodie features a rich brown butter sauce that adds a nutty flavor to the dish The toasted walnuts and crispy sage add a nice textural contrast
Ingredients:
- 1 spaghetti squash
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- Kosher salt & black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup packed sage leaves
- 6 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup walnuts (raw)
- Freshly grated parmigiano reggiano
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds.
- Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until tender.
- While the squash is cooking, brown ground turkey in a skillet with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add garlic and chopped sage to the turkey and cook for another minute.
- Make the brown butter sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter is browned and foamy.
- Fry sage leaves in a skillet with olive oil until crispy.
- Toast walnuts in the oven for 9-10 minutes.
- Combine spaghetti squash with half of the brown butter sauce.
- Top with ground turkey, walnuts, crispy sage, and remaining brown butter sauce.
- Garnish with parmesan and season to taste.
Tips for Making Ground Turkey with Spaghetti Squash:
- Cutting spaghetti squash: Cutting spaghetti squash can be tricky, but there are a few tips that can make it easier. First, use a sharp knife and cut the squash in half widthwise, not lengthwise. This will help you get longer strands of noodles. Second, you can microwave the squash whole for a few minutes to soften it up before cutting.
- Prepping ahead: Both of these recipes can be prepped ahead of time to save you time on busy weeknights. You can cook the ground turkey and spaghetti squash in advance and then reheat them when you’re ready to eat.
- Substitutions: Feel free to substitute ground chicken or another ground meat alternative for the ground turkey. You can also use a different sauce, such as pesto or Alfredo sauce.
- Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! You can add chopped vegetables, herbs, or even a fried egg.
Ground turkey with spaghetti squash is a delicious and healthy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With a little planning, you can have a satisfying and flavorful meal on the table in no time. So give one of these recipes a try and see for yourself!
What you need for Turkey Marinara Spaghetti Squash:
- There are so many ways to enjoy spaghetti squash, even though it can be difficult to cut in half (see recommendations below). I love to grab one for a quick meal during the week.
- The protein source for this dish is ground turkey, but it’s simple to replace it with ground beef or chicken, depending on your tastes.
- Any kind of marinara will work here; however, keep in mind that if your spaghetti squash is bigger, you might need to add a bit more to the mixture!
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: These spaghetti squash boats would be ideal with a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese added.
- Italian seasoning: combine this with the other ingredients and sprinkle over the top just before serving to add a wonderful flavor.
- Sea salt, pepper
Best way to make spaghetti squash:
If you’ve ever tried to cut spaghetti squash, you know how difficult it can be and how you might end up losing a few fingers in the process! I suggest making a few holes in the squash and heating it for two to three minutes in the microwave. That loosens up the squash and allows it to be easier to cut. It’s important to use a good knife when cutting the squash in half too.
COOK WITH ME EASY HEALTHY SPAGHETTI SQUASH TURKEY SPAGHETTI
FAQ
How to add flavor to ground turkey?
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Do you season ground turkey before cooking?
Is spaghetti squash a summer or winter squash?