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    Home » Paleo Recipes

    Meatball Bites With Spaghetti Squash Recipe

    Last Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Paleo Leaper · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Tucked into a “nest” of spaghetti squash, these cute little meatball bites are a slightly different twist on Paleo pasta: they’re great for kids, but even adults need a little change sometimes, and this is a quick way to perk up an old favorite.

    And it’s pretty low-effort, too: hardly any more work than plain old spaghetti and meatballs, the same way you’d make them otherwise.

    Meatball Bites with Spaghetti Squash

    For the sauce recipe, you’ll be “cheating” a little by using pre-made tomato sauce and jazzing it up with extra spices – hey, we can’t all be Italian grandmas! You can typically find at least one or two options that aren’t loaded with corn syrup and junk (especially with the organic brands).

    Of course, you could also make your own if there’s a recipe you prefer. And if you want even more flavor from the sauce (or the meatballs), just substitute fresh herbs for the dried ones; the taste will be a little more intense.

    If your muffin tin won’t quite hold all the squash nests, you might have to cook two batches (or just put in two tins at a time if you have them).

    No muffin tin at all? No problem; just make tin-foil cups and arrange them on an ordinary baking sheet. Then throw your meatball bites in the oven for a few minutes to let the flavors develop and mix together, and serve with roasted eggplant, a big salad, or any other favorite side for an easy and satisfying meal.

    Meatball Bites with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

    Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min

    Ingredients

    • 2 spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed;
    • 1 lb. ground beef;
    • 4 egg whites, whisked;
    • 1 egg;
    • ½ tbsp. dried parsley;
    • ½ tbsp. dried basil;
    • ½ tbsp. dried thyme;
    • Paleo cooking fat;
    • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

    Ingredients for the tomato sauce

    • 2 cups good quality tomato sauce;
    • 1 garlic clove, minced;
    • ½ tbsp. dried parsley;
    • ½ tbsp. dried basil;
    • ½ tbsp. dried thyme;
    • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;
    Meatball Bites with Spaghetti Squash Recipe Preparation

    Preparation

    1. Preheat your oven to 425 F.
    2. Place the spaghetti squash on a baking sheet, cut side down, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
    3. Combine the ground beef, dried parsley, dried basil, dried thyme, and egg, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix everything until well combined.
    4. Roll the meat into meatballs of about 1 inch in diameter.
    5. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the tomato sauce and season to taste.
    6. In a large skillet placed over medium heat, sauté the meatballs until browned on all sides.
    7. Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
    8. Once the spaghetti squash is cooked, use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash and place it in a bowl.
    9. Lower the oven's heat to 350 F.
    10. Mix the egg white with the spaghetti squash, and then fill each cavity of a muffin tin with the squash mix, pressing down in the middle to make a "nest" for the meatball.
    11. Place one meatball on top of each muffin and place in the oven for about 15 minutes.
    12. Serve with the remaining sauce drizzled on top of each meatball bite.
    Meatball Bites with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

    Meatball Bites with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

    Banish meatball boredom with this fun and easy way to spruce up a classic recipe.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 529 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 spaghetti squash cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed;
    • 1 lb. ground beef;
    • 4 egg whites whisked;
    • 1 egg;
    • ½ tbsp. dried parsley;
    • ½ tbsp. dried basil;
    • ½ tbsp. dried thyme;
    • Paleo cooking fat;
    • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • Ingredients for the tomato sauce
    • 2 cups good quality tomato sauce
    • 1 garlic clove minced
    • ½ tbsp. dried parsley
    • ½ tbsp. dried basil
    • ½ tbsp. dried thyme
    • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 425 F.
    • Place the spaghetti squash on a baking sheet, cut side down, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
      2 spaghetti squash
    • Combine the ground beef, dried parsley, dried basil, dried thyme, and egg, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix everything until well combined.
      1 lb. ground beef;, 4 egg whites, ½ tbsp. dried parsley;, ½ tbsp. dried basil;, ½ tbsp. dried thyme;, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 egg;
    • Roll the meat into meatballs of about 1 inch in diameter.
    • In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the tomato sauce and season to taste.
      2 cups good quality tomato sauce, 1 garlic clove, ½ tbsp. dried parsley, ½ tbsp. dried basil, ½ tbsp. dried thyme, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • In a large skillet placed over medium heat, sauté the meatballs until browned on all sides.
    • Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
    • Once the spaghetti squash is cooked, use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash and place it in a bowl.
    • Lower the oven’s heat to 350 F.
      Paleo cooking fat;
    • Mix the egg white with the spaghetti squash, and then fill each cavity of a muffin tin with the squash mix, pressing down in the middle to make a “nest” for the meatball.
    • Place one meatball on top of each muffin and place in the oven for about 15 minutes.
    • Serve with the remaining sauce drizzled on top of each meatball bite.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 31gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 826mgPotassium: 1485mgFiber: 13gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1409IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 353mgIron: 14mg
    Keyword meatballs, spaghetti squash
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Filed Under: Paleo Beef and Red Meat Recipes, Paleo Recipes Tagged With: cooking: fast prep, cooking: oven, diet: dairy-free, diet: low-fodmap, diet: no sweeteners, diet: nut-free, diet: shellfish-free, Paleo Budget-Friendly Recipes, Paleo Dinner Recipes, Paleo Kid-Friendly Recipes

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