Spaghetti’d Squash

A few days ago I was flipping through a food magazine and came across a recipe for baked spaghetti. Generally, when I make spaghetti it’s the traditional type. But, I was compelled to make a baked spaghetti with a slight twist. Hence the name, Spaghetti’d Squash. This is my take on a baked spaghetti.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 4-6 cloves garlic, diced
• 6 baby carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil chiffonade
• 1/2- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1-2 tsp oregano
• fresh cracked pepper
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 28 ounce can of whole tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 medium or large spaghetti squash
• 2 tbsp butter
• 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella

Start by making the spaghetti sauce. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, saute for a few minutes, then add garlic. Carefully crush the tomatoes with hands on a large bowl (avoid wearing a white shirt). Add tomatoes and wine to the saucepan and stir. Add tomato paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, and black pepper and bring to a boil. Once the sauce reaches a boil reduce heat to low and add basil.

Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove all of the seeds. Place one tbsp of butter in each half. Cover with wax paper and microwave for 8-10 minutes. You don’t want to cook the squash completely — just enough to break it apart. Use a fork to pull the squash into strands. Add spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted. Remove sauce from heat.

Mix sauce and squash together. I added the sauce in sections because I wasn’t sure how much was needed. I ended up using all of the squash and sauce. After everything is mixed together place mixture in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Slice mozzarella and place on top of Squash mixture. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit

(Serves 6-8 people)