Baked Spaghetti Squash

Do you love pasta, but hate the idea of all those carbs?  What if I told you, you could enjoy pasta, but without eating any pasta?  Crazy, right.....but possible!  Let me introduce you to my little friend, spaghetti squash.  Obviously given its name because after you cook it and use a fork to shred it, it falls apart into spaghetti strands.  This dish packs all the flavor of baked spaghetti, but without all the added carbs and guilt.  And if you have never tried spaghetti squash before....oh man, are you and your tastebuds missing out.

1 spaghetti squash
1 pound lean ground meat
1/2 can of Cento San Marzano peeled tomatoes pureed OR 1-15 ounce can no salt added tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon Sea or Himalayan Salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon parsley
3/4 cup park skim Ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375.  Poke several holes in the spaghetti squash.  Place on foil in the oven and bake for one hour.  Let it set and cool for 15 minutes.  Cut open long ways, and remove seeds.  Remove all spaghetti squash strands with a fork and set aside for when you need it. **This can be done in advance.  I like to do this at the beginning of the week, and pull it out of the fridge when I am ready to use it.**  In a large pot, brown meat over high heat until fully cooked.  Add pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil salt and pepper, and parsley.  Remove from heat.  Stir in ricotta.  Stir in spaghetti squash.  Preheat oven to 375.  Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish.  Pour spaghetti mixture into the pan.  Top with mozzarella cheese, then parmesan cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is lightly golden and sides are bubbling.  Let it set and cool for at least 10 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

Yield:  4 servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1.5 green OR 1 green, 1/2 purple; 1 red; 1 blue