Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

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Serves: 6 adults

Prep time: 30 min.+ 6 hrs. in slow cooker

Last minute prep + cook time: 25 minutes

Recipe notes:

• I have an 8 qt. slow cooker and this recipe works well in it. If you double it, you can use a large roaster pan. If you half it, you should use a 4-6 qt. slow cooker.
• This recipe can be made gluten-free using gf breadcrumbs, 1:1 gf flour, and gf egg noodles. To make it dairy-free, substitute the milk and cream for equal amounts of dairy alternative milk (we like coconut).
• If your squash won’t fit in your slow cooker, you can cook it separately in the oven. Simply pierce and bake on a baking sheet for 30-45 min. at 425 F. until fork tender.

Ingredients:

Prep bin:

• 1 quart + 1 pint marinara sauce
• 1 lg. or two small spaghetti squash (they need to fit in your slow cooker or roaster)

Defrost:

• 2 lbs. ground beef or venison
• butter

Prep Directions:

1. Brown the meat slightly in a skillet over medium heat. Don’t cook through.
2. Mix the marinara sauce in with the meat until well combined. Set aside.
3. Wash the squash well. Then, poke several holes in each one on all sides.
4. Pour just enough of the sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker to cover the bottom.
5. Place the squash in the slow cooker.
6. Pour the rest of the sauce/meat mixture over the squash.
7. Cook on “low” setting for 6 hours or . If using a 4-quart slow cooker, set for 8 hours. If using a roaster pan, set to 200 F and set a timer for 6 hours.
8. When the timer goes off, check to see if a fork easily sleeps into the squash skin. If it does, remove the squash to a plate and set aside to cool slightly for 10-15 minutes. If not, continue to cook for another hour.
9. If it will be more than 30 minutes until you serve dinner, slice open the squash, remove the seeds, and shred the flesh with a fork. Transfer the squash “spaghetti noodles” to an oven-safe bowl. Mix in butter and seasonings to taste. Place in the oven on “keep warm” until ready to serve.

10 minutes before you plan to serve dinner:

1.  If you haven’t already, follow the directions above for prepping the squash.
2. Serve the “spaghetti noodles” with sauce from the slow cooker.