Crockpot Low Carb Meat Sauce and Spaghetti Squash
This crockpot meat sauce and spaghetti squash cooked all in one pot will blow your mind. It might just become your new favorite meal. I was in a rush yesterday and wanted to make some crockpot meat sauce to serve over spaghetti squash for dinner. After putting together the meat sauce, I was short on time so I just sliced the spaghetti squash in half, took the seeds out and put it in the slow cooker with the meat sauce. It came out perfectly cooked and was an awesome and easy one-pot meal! I could eat this almost every day. This recipe made a little over 3 cups of meat sauce. Each half-cup serving of the meat sauce is approximately 2.25 g of net carbs. A whole cup of spaghetti squash is approx. 8 g of net carbs and 42 calories. This will cure your craving for pasta. The spaghetti squash is so high in fiber it kept me full and feeling great for hours and hours!
This crockpot meat sauce and spaghetti squash cooked all in one pot will blow your mind. It might just become your new favorite meal. I was in a rush yesterday and wanted to make some crockpot meat sauce to serve over spaghetti squash for dinner. After putting together the meat sauce, I was short on time so I just sliced the spaghetti squash in half, took the seeds out and put it in the slow cooker with the meat sauce. It came out perfectly cooked and was an awesome and easy one-pot meal! I could eat this almost every day. This recipe made a little over 3 cups of meat sauce. Each half-cup serving of the meat sauce is approximately 2.25 g of net carbs. A whole cup of spaghetti squash is approx. 8 g of net carbs and 42 calories. This will cure your craving for pasta. The spaghetti squash is so high in fiber it kept me full and feeling great for hours and hours!
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small spaghetti squash
- approx. 1.30 lbs ground meat or beef stew (i used
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced (6 g. net carbs)
- 1 1/2 cup of chicken stock (i used kirkland’ s organic from costco)
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste (adds 7.5 g. net carbs)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon of fennel powder**
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/8th teaspoon of salt
- Carbohydrate 80.393898 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 6.484966 g
- Fiber 0.277199989318848 g
- Protein 7.727872 g
- Saturated Fat 1.3305366 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Recipe (1137g)
- Sodium 193.5046 mg
- Sugar 80.1166980106812 g
- Trans Fat 1.9568856 g
- Calories 361 calories
Step-by-step
- Brown the meat over medium to medium-high heat in a large pan. Drain any grease from the meat and put it in your slow cooker.
- Add the onions to the same pot you browned the meat in (if the pot is a little dry, add a small amount of oil). Saute the onions until they are soft.
- Add the chicken stock and tomato paste to the onions and stir well.
- Deglaze the pan by scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Cook/stir for 1-2 minutes.
- Add everything in the pot to the slow cooker. Add all the spices to the slow cooker and stir.
- Wash and cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds and place it face down in the slow cooker. If you have a large spaghetti squash and a small slow cooker, you can just cut the bottom of the squash off instead of cutting it in half.
- Cook on low for 5 hours. Using a fork, remove the spaghetti strands from the squash to a plate. Top the spaghetti squash with meat sauce and serve.
My Favorite One-Pot Wonder: Crockpot Low-Carb Meat Sauce and Spaghetti Squash
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook healthy and delicious meals can feel like a Herculean task. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and all the other demands on my time, the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That's why I've become obsessed with one-pot meals, and this Crockpot Low-Carb Meat Sauce and Spaghetti Squash recipe is a standout. It's not just quick and easy; it's unbelievably flavorful and satisfying, ticking all the boxes for a busy weeknight dinner. Seriously, it’s become a regular staple in our house!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Everything – the savory meat sauce and the perfectly tender spaghetti squash – cooks together in the slow cooker. No need to boil water for pasta or fuss over multiple pans. Just toss everything in, set it, and forget it! The slow cooker does all the work, freeing up my precious time to focus on other things, or even just relax with a good book while the delicious aroma fills my kitchen.
I love the low-carb aspect of this dish. Using spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta significantly reduces the carbohydrate count, making it a healthier and more satisfying alternative. The squash itself is surprisingly versatile; its tender strands perfectly absorb the rich, flavorful meat sauce. It’s a perfect dish to enjoy on a busy weeknight, ensuring a filling and satisfying meal without sacrificing your time or your health goals.
The Secret to a Delicious Sauce: I’ve experimented with various spice combinations, and I’ve found that fennel powder is the key ingredient that elevates this meat sauce to another level. It adds a unique depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. If you can't find fennel powder, don't despair! You can easily make your own by grinding fennel seeds in a blender. Trust me on this one; it's worth the extra effort.
Variations and Adaptations: This recipe is incredibly adaptable to your preferences and what you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with different types of ground meat, add vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, or adjust the spices to your liking. I often add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra kick. You can also change up the herbs to include oregano, basil, or thyme, depending on what flavors you enjoy most. The possibilities are endless!
This Crockpot Low-Carb Meat Sauce and Spaghetti Squash recipe is more than just a meal; it's a testament to efficient and delicious cooking. It's a perfect blend of convenience, health, and amazing taste – the perfect recipe for a busy mom like me, or anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful dinner option without compromising on taste.
Serving Suggestions: This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also enhance it with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a dollop of fresh cream, or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Beyond the Weeknight: This recipe is also fantastic for meal prepping. Prepare a large batch on the weekend and enjoy it throughout the week for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. The flavors actually get even better as the leftovers sit!
So, if you're looking for a healthy, delicious, and time-saving dinner recipe, look no further. This Crockpot Low-Carb Meat Sauce and Spaghetti Squash is a winner. Give it a try, and I promise you won't be disappointed. It's the perfect combination of convenience and flavor, making it a weeknight staple in my home.
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small spaghetti squash
approx. 1.30 lbs ground meat or beef stew
1/2 cup yellow onion diced
1 1/2 cup of chicken stock
3 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of fennel powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8th teaspoon of salt
