Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bake

Name: Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bake
Ingredients: 1 large or two small spaghetti squash; Oil; Salt and pepper; 1 lb ground meat-beef, poultry or pork all are great. Or 1.5-2 cups cooked beans for veggie version.; 1/2 white onion, chopped; 1/2 tsp each: chipotle or red pepper flakes (less for toned down-spiciness), onion powder, oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup diced tomatoes (skin and seeds are fine); 1 green pepper, diced; 1-2 tbsp candied jalapeño (optional); 1 pint jar salsa; 4-6 eggs (depending on size); 6 oz cheese (like smoked, Jack or Colby cheddar), grated

A great, big, flavorful meal for a crowd (or hungry kids after practice.) Make substitutions for your favorite spices, use beans instead of meat for a vegetarian version, or add chopped greens, broccoli or top with cilantro to make it your own. Sure to make it into the rotation for weeknight family meals!

1 large or two small spaghetti squash

Oil

Salt and pepper

1 lb ground meat-beef, poultry or pork all are great. Or 1.5-2 cups cooked beans for veggie version.

1/2 white onion, chopped

1/2 tsp each: chipotle or red pepper flakes (less for toned down-spiciness), onion powder, oregano

1 tsp salt

1 cup diced tomatoes (skin and seeds are fine)

1 green pepper, diced

1-2 tbsp candied jalapeño (optional)

1 pint jar salsa

4-6 eggs (depending on size)

6 oz cheese (like smoked, Jack or Colby cheddar), grated

Turn your oven to 400. Slice off the top and bottom (stem and blossom ends) of your squash, and then slice the rest into rings (4-5 per squash). Paint both sides with oil, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then bake for 25-30 minutes until the squash shreds easily with a fork. Pull squash "noodles" away from the rind and set aside.

Brown your meat in a large skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Once mostly cooked, add the spices and salt.

Stir the chopped tomatoes, green pepper, jalapeño and diced onion into the ground meat and spices. Stir and warm through for a few minutes, then remove from heat.

Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole/baking dish. Add in the spaghetti squash noodles and everything from skillet. Mix well.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, salsa and about 2/3rds of your cheese. Pour over top of the casserole.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top, and cover with tinfoil. Bake for 1 hour, remove tinfoil and bake for 15 more minutes. Allow to cool slightly, and serve warm.

CategoryCat McAllester, Main CourseTags#greenpepper, #spaghettisquash, #broccoli, #cheese, #eggs, #onion, #salsa, #tomatoes

Ingredients