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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 congratulate you on a great block page
Question- can I do this on high for 3-4 hrs?
Hey Bianca,
Yes, that will work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi there! I’ve been using a lot of your recipes and obsessed with them all. 5 stars to all! For this particular recipe, I wanted to share feedback that I followed all directions accordingly and my spaghetti squash ended up exploding in the crock pot. I was not home at the time to take it out and the flavour ended up ruining the flavour of the sauce. I tried the sauce before putting the squash in and it was delicious. Next time I would do this recipe but would just cook the squash in the oven to be safe. Thanks for all your amazing recipes and wanted to share what happened to me.
Hi Candice! I am really sorry to hear that! Were the settings correct? Or is there anything that could have changed while making this? I would love to help, I am just unsure why it would explode! Really sorry again! xTieghan
Okay I know this recipe is a few years old, but I’m still going to leave this comment in hopes of a reply… I think this recipe looks AMAZING, but my husband is vegan. I plan on using a ground beef substitute, but how do you think this would go over with almond milk instead of whole milk?!
Hey Lindsey,
You can certainly use almond milk in place of whole milk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
is there a way to put the recipe name throughout your videos? I see them on the right while I am reading your posts but have trouble finding them on your site or in your book without knowing the exact name? Can’t wait to received book #2!
Hi Teri! Thank you for the suggestion! I will try to remember this for the next time we make some! xTieghan
Spaghetti squash split open in the crockpot and was super mushy. Sauce was so watery, it was soup. Unfortunately, it’s not at all appetizing
Hey Kate, I am sorry you had trouble. Was there anything you did differently at all? Any ingredients different? How large was your squash? Was it smaller? Any info will be helpful to help me problem solve and figure out what might be happening for you. It’s hard to know without knowing any details, especially when most have really enjoyed this recipe. So sorry you are having trouble! Hope I can help you! xTieghan
Hi! Could you make this with an Instatn Pot instead of a Crockpot? If so can you please provide cooking instructions?
Hey Anna, I would recommend cooking everything on high pressure for 15 minutes, BUT I have not tested this so I am unsure of exactly how it will turn out. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
HI! looking to make this for Valentines day, but I do not have a slow cooker, can I simmer in a pan for a certain amount of time?
hi! You can simmer the bolognese sauce on the stove top for 2-3 hours over low heat. Roast the squash in the oven and then assemble. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
HI if I do not use sausage how much beef should I use for this recipe?
I recommend 3/4 pound ground beef. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hello
My family does not eat sausage so should I use 2 pounds beef or just 1 for this recipe
Thanks
Thank you Marina! I hope everyone enjoyed this!
Can you make this in an instant pot?
I have not tested this for the instant pot so I dont feel comfortable giving directions to do so. So sorry, wish I could have helped. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
Delicious!
Thank you Janie!
Can I do this in my Instant Pot on the slow cooker setting?
I have not used the slow cooker setting on the instant pot, so I am not sure, but I would assume it would work. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! ?Tieghan
Have you tried making this an instant pot? Just seeing if it would work.. I’m not a fan of the IP slow cooker option 🙂
Thanks!
HI! I have not tested this for the instant pot, but I do think it would work. I would try high pressure for 20 minutes. Please let me know if you have other questions. I hope you love this recipe! thanks so much! xTieghan
I’ve never had any luck with my crock pot cooking – so would you suggest to cook on high for 6 hours? I think the options are “warm” “simmer” “medium” “high”??? Whenever I go to serve my crock pot cooking it’s never done! – help!
HI! I Recommend low for 6-8 hours. I have found this cooks the squash really well. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan