Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests are tasty, low carb, gluten-free, noodle nests with pizza inside.
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests are tasty, low carb, gluten-free, noodle nests with pizza inside.
- â½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- pinch sea salt
- â¼ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp italian seasonings
- 1 medium size spaghetti squash ((about 2 1/2 cups squash n
- 1 xl egg or 2 smaller sized eggs (beaten)
- 2/3 cup tomato sauce * try to get one without added sugar
- 24 slices pepperoni * i like uncured nitrate free brands
- â½ tbsp chopped basil (fresh or lightly dried)
- Carbohydrate 0.360658333333333 g
- Cholesterol 5.085 mg
- Fat 1.88615833333333 g
- Fiber 0 g
- Protein 2.44456666666667 g
- Saturated Fat 1.19309166666667 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (9g)
- Sodium 62.6393333333333 mg
- Sugar 0.360658333333333 g
- Trans Fat 0.0945433333333336 g
- Calories 28 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 400 F (204 C), and line or oil a baking sheet.
- Using a skewer or knife, poke holes all over the spaghetti squash. Place on baking sheet and bake for an hour, turning over halfway through.
- Remove squash from oven and cool until cool to touch. Leave oven on 400F (204 C).
- Grease or oil 2 muffin pans.
- While squash is cooling, combine in a medium-size mixing bowl: tomato sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, and oregano. Mix together.
- Once squash is cool, slice in half and using a fork scrape noodles into a large bowl.
- Add the beaten egg or eggs to the squash noodles and stir together.
- Place squash noodle mixture into muffin cups and make a well in the center of each with a spoon.
- Add tomato sauce mixture to each well.
- Add a pepperoni slice to each well, and sprinkle each with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle with chopped basil, and bake at 400 F (204 C) for 25 minutes or until set.
- Serve.
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests
As a busy working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Dinnertime often feels like a race against the clock, a frantic scramble to get something healthy and satisfying on the table before bedtime descends. I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are quick, easy, and – most importantly – kid-approved. Recently, I stumbled upon a recipe for Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests, and I'll admit, I was initially skeptical. Spaghetti squash? Pizza? It sounded a bit…odd. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and my curiosity won out.
The preparation itself was surprisingly straightforward. While the squash baked, I whipped up the simple tomato sauce, a blend of garlic powder, oregano, and Italian seasoning. I love experimenting with different spice combinations, and this recipe gave me room to adjust the flavors to our family's preferences. The kids were fascinated watching me transform the baked squash into fluffy noodles, a process that felt like a fun culinary adventure. I'll be honest; getting the squash to cooperate was more challenging than I anticipated – a good, sturdy fork is key here.
The final assembly was a breeze. The squash noodles, nestled in muffin tins, formed perfect little nests, ready to be filled with the vibrant tomato sauce, pepperoni slices (I opted for uncured, nitrate-free – a healthier choice!), and generous amounts of mozzarella cheese. The aroma that filled the kitchen as they baked was heavenly – a comforting blend of tomato, oregano, and melting cheese.
The moment of truth came when we tasted our creation. And to my utter surprise, the Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests were a resounding success! The squash noodles offered a subtly sweet and surprisingly satisfying base, a delightful contrast to the savory pizza topping. They were perfectly tender yet firm enough to hold their shape. The kids devoured them, and even my husband, a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur, was impressed. It was a far cry from the usual delivery pizza we occasionally indulged in, offering a healthier, lighter, and more creative alternative.
This experience has renewed my appreciation for simple, wholesome ingredients and the unexpected culinary joys that can be discovered when you're willing to experiment. It's a testament to the fact that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or complicated. The Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests have become a regular fixture in our weekly meal plan, a welcome addition to our family's culinary repertoire, and a reminder that even the most ordinary ingredients can be transformed into extraordinary dishes.
I've since tried variations on the theme, adding different vegetables, experimenting with various cheeses, and even incorporating leftover cooked chicken or sausage for a heartier meal. The possibilities are endless! This simple recipe has opened up a whole new world of culinary exploration for me, a world where healthy eating meets creative cooking. I highly recommend you give it a try – you might just surprise yourself.
And for those busy moms out there constantly juggling work, family, and everything in between, this recipe is your new best friend. It's quick, it's easy, it's delicious, and it's surprisingly healthy. Prepare to conquer dinnertime with a smile – and a truly satisfying meal.
