A classic comfort food dinner lightened up and low carb for a delicious dinner! Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs has all of the flavors from traditional spaghetti and meatballs, but lighter and healthier. This is an easy recipe with baked spaghetti squash, frozen meatballs, and your favorite pasta sauce. The only other thing you need is so cheese to go on top.

Close up shot of spaghetti squash and meatballs

I enjoy making meals with the same flavors like my favorite comfort food recipes, but with swaps to make them lighter and healthier. In this case, we swap pasta for spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs for pork and beef meatballs.

When I make this spaghetti squash with turkey meatballs, I don’t even miss the pasta, and I like that I don’t get that horrible food coma after eating it.

It does take time to roast the spaghetti squash, but it’s not hard to do, and it tastes great once it’s cooked and combined with the meatballs and sauce. All in all, you only need four ingredients to make this recipe, plus a little olive oil and cooking spray.

Ingredients for a squash dish arranged on a white surface: a spaghetti squash, a bowl of red sauce, grated cheese, meatballs, oil, salt, pepper, a striped cloth, and a can of canola oil cooking spray, with labels for each item.

Ingredient Notes

Large spaghetti squash – these are in the produce aisle
Your favorite jarred pasta sauce
Frozen turkey meatballs or you can make homemade

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

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Two halves of a spaghetti squash, seasoned with salt and pepper, are placed cut side up on a foil-lined baking sheet. Surrounding them are small bowls of olive oil, grated cheese, marinara sauce, and a striped towel.

A plate of uncooked meatballs is surrounded by bowls containing shredded cheese, tomato sauce, and olive oil on a white surface. Another bowl of meatballs and a striped cloth napkin are nearby.

How to Roast Spaghetti Squash

Carefully cut the ends off the squash and cut it in half. Discard the seeds and pulp. You’ll want to brush it with oil and add seasoning.
I cook it on a baking sheet covered in foil – flesh side down (but we’ll flip it halfway through cooking).
It’s done cooking when you can easily shred the filling with a fork.
When spaghetti squash shreds it looks like pasta! Simply toss with sauce and heated meatballs.

Two plates of spaghetti squash and meatballs topped with cheese and herbs

Expert Tips

How long does baked spaghetti squash last? You can roast it ahead of time and then keep it in the refrigerator. As long as it’s stored in an airtight container, it will keep for up to a week. This makes it a good option for meal prepping!
How long to cook spaghetti squash? It will depend on how big your spaghetti squash is and the oven temperature. It should only take 30 to 40 minutes for large spaghetti squash to bake at 400°F.
How long does leftover spaghetti squash and meatballs last? Leftovers will keep well for two to three days in the refrigerator.
For this recipe, we like to use Rao’s Homemade pasta sauce to make it really easy. But, of course, you can also use your favorite homemade recipe or try our easy pasta sauce.
We also like the frozen meatballs because they’re easy to warm up, but we also like to make our homemade turkey meatballs when we have more time. You can also use your favorite beef or pork meatballs for this recipe. The next time you get a craving for spaghetti and meatballs, try this lighter spaghetti squash and meatballs instead. You’ll satisfy the craving without all the extra calories and carbs and not feel like you need a nap after dinner! Enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs Recipe

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Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs is an easy dinner recipe with baked spaghetti squash, frozen meatballs and your favorite pasta sauce. Don’t forget the cheese on top!

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Yield 4 servings

Serving Size 1 serving

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Ingredients

1 large spaghetti squash
1-2 cups pasta sauce we used Rao’s marinara sauce
1 pound frozen turkey meatballs
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 teaspoon olive oil
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the ends off the squash and then cut in half lengthwise. Using a large spoon scoop out all the seeds in the center. Split the olive oil between the two halves and spread around with your hands. Add just a pinch of salt and pepper.
Spray cooking spray on a large cooking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Place the two halves of the squash face down on the sheet. Poke a few holes in the squash with a fork. Roast for 30-40 minutes. Check with a fork. It should be tender and easy to shred with the fork. Let cool for a few minutes and then use the fork to shred the inside of the squash (it will look like spaghetti). Place on a separate plate.
Heat meatballs in the microwave per package instructions.
Heat pasta sauce in microwave in a microwave safe cup (do 30 seconds at a time and stir). Check and do another 30 seconds until hot.
On a plate place spaghetti squash and put meatballs on top. Put pasta sauce over the top and add parmesan cheese. Enjoy!!

Recipe Notes

• Use your favorite pasta sauce. We use store bought because we want it on the table fast but you can make your own. We have one on easy good ideas you can try.

• Use whatever meatballs you want. Beef meatballs will taste great, and you can always make your own. We have some you can try on easy good ideas if you like making your own.

Recipe Nutrition

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword easy dinner, easy meatballs, low carb dinner, meatballs, spaghetti squash

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You only need four ingredients to make this Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs dinner recipe. It’s easy to make, full of delicious flavors and low carb!

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs