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Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese – the perfect Halloween dinner!!
I know that most of us have to work today. But I’m hoping it’s going to be more of a “fun” kind of workday! I was talking with one of my colleagues on Friday who told me that everyone in their office is wearing their costumes to work. Her office hosts a “best costume” contest every year. Um, ok! How fun is that?! What a cool office environment! Does anyone else work where they do fun things like that?
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So how about Halloween parties, any fun festivities over the weekend? If you dressed up, what were you, or what are you going to be?? Tag me on Instagram or Snapchat me with all your creepy pics!
My brother Malachi and his girlfriend Caitlin went to a party in Venice Beach. they dressed as scary people, or dead people, or something like that. I don’t really know what they were, but they had blood all over them and creepy make-up. Gotta say, I was pretty impressed. Of course, Caitlin was the cutest dead girl…in a creepy sort of way…that I’ve never seen. I personally have no plans to dress up, but I mean, I guess there’s still time. Suggestions? Hmmm…
My oldest brother Creighton was planning on being a banana. But with the World Series going on in Cleveland, Halloween has pretty much been all but forgotten there. Everything has been Go Tribe, even Progressive Field was sold out for games 4 and 5…and that was just to watch the games on the jumbotron! Let’s hope the Indians can get it done tomorrow night IN Cleveland!
My weekend included all things FALL. Meaning I spent time hiking, carving pumpkins with the little sis, doing some kitchen “work”, because well, it’s just what I do. I also made hot chocolate and watched a kind of scary movie. Ok fine, it was really just a Harry Potter marathon with Asher. Loved it!
SO in other news, tomorrow is NOVEMBER and that has me freaking out just a little bit. To be honest, it hasn’t hit me that October is over. It just flew by, like flew. I need to start planning Thanksgiving and like stocking up on my Lululemons and cozy Burton socks (courtesy of Red, of course) and prepping for the holidays and that thing called old man winter!
Ahh…so not ready. It’s weird because normally by this time of year the temps here are pretty cold, but the last couple of weeks have been so mellow weather-wise. No snow and pretty warm and sunny days. Definitely outta the ordinary for my little mountain town, but trust me – I know it’s coming soon!
Anyway, let’s talk spaghetti squash and crockpot things!
First things first, I have to say that I am really excited about this recipe because it makes cooking and working with spaghetti squash SO much easier. It might seem weird, but you actually cook the spaghetti squash right in the crockpot with the Bolognese sauce. Yes, in the crockpot and IN the sauce. For me, this is so exciting because my typical way of preparing spaghetti squash is to cut it in half, seed it, and then roast it for forty-five minutes to an hour. It’s still pretty simple, but also kind of a process. Cutting spaghetti squash is not the easiest task and I swear one of these days the squash is going to win…yikes. Does anyone else feel the same?
When I was thinking about recipes the other week, the idea of a lasagna style Bolognese served over spaghetti sounded really good, but I wondered if there was maybe an easier, faster way to get everything cooked. I’ve seen some spaghetti squash crockpot recipes before, so I figured I would give it a try.
Guys. This recipe is kind of life-changing. You literally just add everything to the crockpot, slow cook all day, and come home to an amazing dinner – DONE. No boiling water, no turning on the oven, none of that. Just slice open the squash (which will be soft and the easiest thing to cut through), remove the seeds and scrape the squash out into a bowl. Then top with sauce and burrata (parmesan too if desired) and EAT.
It literally does not get easier! And also…the crockpot cooks the spaghetti squash perfectly. I let mine slow cook for about six hours and it was perfect. Not mushy (which I was worried it would be) but tender and buttery and soo good! Especially when topped with lasagna-inspired Bolognese. Yuummmms.
As things start to get crazy with holiday fun, this is for sure on my list of easy dinners to make in the upcoming months! And I mean, if you have time, I highly recommend throwing this in the crockpot right now, it would be the perfect after trick-or-treating dinner! <–do this
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 741 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or Spicy Italian Sausage)
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- kosher salt and pepper
- 32 ounce can peeled tomatoes , I like San Marzano
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 medium to large spaghetti squash rinsed
- 8 ounces burrata or mozzarella cheese
- grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef, and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned all over and the onion soft, about 5-8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the meat to your crockpot. Add the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaves, and milk. Stir to combine.
- Add the spaghetti squash to the center. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Carefully remove the squash from the crockpot and transfer to a cutting board. Wipe away any grease and then carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds, then using a fork, scrape the squash into strands. If the sauce is soupy, crank the heat up to high and let it cook for 30 minutes or until thickened. If the sauce is thick add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water.
- To serve, divide the spaghetti squash among bowls and ladle the bolognese over top. Add the cheese and sprinkle of basil or parsley. Enjoy!
Hope everyone has a great Halloween! See you in November!
Lastly, if you make these Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
I made this tonight and it was a total winner. I think the only recipes I make anymore are yours. This was an easy one to make on a work day and there was plenty of left overs for tomorrows lunch. Thanks for a great, healthy dinner! Love, Love, LOVE this one! The spaghetti squash was cooked perfectly!
Thank you so much Kristi!
I had my dad make this for dinner while I was at work today and it has replaced my mom’s favorite Bolognese. Easy prep & clean up, fun way to cook the squash and the burrata melts to perfection in the sauce making it creamy.
That is amazing! I am so glad you loved this recipe and hope you had a great night with your dad! Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this. I am just wondering about the meat. The first two ingredients are 1# of beef or sausage so is this 2#s total or did the line just get repeated?
Thank you!
Hi it’s 1 beef and 1 sausage. Does that make sense? Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Do you drain the can of peeled tomatoes or keep the sauce?
I do not drain the tomatoes. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Tried this for the first time this weekend – it was divine! Thank you!
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks!
Hi Tieghan — If someone is dairy-free, could I use chicken or vegetable stock instead? Can’t wait to make this!
Yes, stock will be great! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! ?
This recipe was delicious and such a clever, easy way to fix squash.
Thank you!
What a fantastic idea!! This recipe has my name all over it. I simply love the idea of a delicious meal that can be made while you’re busy doing something else. I love your plates and bowls!! Did your dad make them?? Wish I could have seen you at Halloween.
You should definitely try this recipe out, I hope you love it! My dad did not make the plates and bowls, I got them from a shop in London! Thank you Marisa!
Oh My Gosh!! This is delicious!!!Perfect dinner with a glass of wine and March Madness!!! thank you Tieghan!
Hi Patti! Definitely a perfect one to eat during march madness!
Tieghan!! My darling son Evan Bishop says he’s coming over for dinner tonight!! This is the perfect dish and I can’t wait to make it. Also, congrats on your new book, I’ll be buying several for family and friends. Keep up the good work and give hugs to Mom!
Hey Patti!! 🙂 That is so awesome and I hope you guys both loved it!! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words. Hope you guys are well back in OH. Tell everyone I said hi! Thanks again!!
Spaghetti squash is one of my absolute FAVORITE winter squashes! For Halloween, I basically put together the most last-minute costume and just ate tons of vegan donuts, had lots of good time with my friends and so much more! It was the best!
This is a very bland recipe. I would suggest skipping the hamburger and replacing with sausage. The “sauce” is less of a sauce and more of a meat and tomato mixture. I did try to spice it up with more bay leaves and oregano but it was still bland.
I do have to say that it is an excellent way to cook spaghetti squash – turned out perfectly.
Sorry you found the sauce bland.
We tried this and after leaving it in the crock pot on low for 6.5 hours the spaghetti squash was totally smushy and did not have a noddle texture at all. It did not look anything like the noddles you have in the picture, any recommendations so that the squash comes out in strands and not mush?
Hey Andy,
How big was your squash? Was it small? that might have been the reason it cooked faster. It also might be that your crockpot cooks things at a higher temp. I would try adding the squash 2 hours into cooking. I think that should keep it cooked, but firm. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you!
Made this and OMG was it so amazing. My family loved it too. They went back for seconds and thirds!! Thanks for such an easy and flavorful recipe!!! the squash whole in the crockpot is GENIUS!! 🙂
Yay!! So happy you all liked it!! Thank you so much!!
Note for best Spaghetti squash do not cut longwise, cut in half on the short side. Makes better “noodles”.
Thanks for the tip!