Spaghetti Squash w/ Creamy Ricotta

This creamy, rich sauce will change spaghetti squash for the better

how to make your own:

What you’ll need: 

For the squash:

1 spaghetti squash 

2 heads garlic

2 tablespoons oregano

2 tablespoons dried parsley

salt/pepper to taste 

For the sauce:

1lb chicken or pork Italian sausage

¼ cup of broth or white wine 

1 yellow onion, diced

2-3 handfuls of greens (could be collard greens, spinach or kale)

16 oz ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon oregano

1 tablespoon parsley 

¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)

Zest of 1 lemon 

s/p to taste 

What you’ll do:

For the squash:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees (F)

2. Cut the squash in half (long way), clean out the seeds, and drizzle each half with olive oil and spices. Place face down on a baking sheet. 

3. You will also cut the top ¼ off the head of garlic, place in tin foil, and top with olive oil and salt. Wrap the garlic in the tin foil completely and place on the baking sheet next to the squash. 

4. Pour about ½ cup of water onto the baking sheet and bake for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your squash. (see note)

5. Take out of the oven and set aside to cool.

6. While the squash is in the oven start the sauce.

For the sauce:

1. Mix all ingredients from “ricotta cheese” to “s/p” in a bowl and set aside. 

2. Cook ground meat on medium heat in a saucepan with olive oil until browned. Remove the meat and set aside. 

3. Add diced onion to the pan with ¼ cup of broth or white wine and saute until all liquid is evaporated, mix frequently to pick up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. (about 5-8 minutes)

4. Add ricotta mixture to onions and cover with a lid for 2-3 minutes. (this is a good time to smash the roasted garlic see note)

5. Remove lid, add greens, and stir for about a minute until greens have cooked down. 

6. Add sausage back into the sauce along with the roasted garlic. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated, and turn off the heat. 

7. When the spaghetti squash has cooled, use a fork to shred it into spaghetti pieces. Lightly scrape from the edges towards the center of the squash. 

8. Add sauce to your squash and top with crushed red pepper and/or parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Full instruction video here