Spaghetti Squash Casserole

List of Ingredients (make 2 casseroles)

• 1 or 2 - Organic Spaghetti Squash (Two 2 lb squashes or One 4 lb squash)

• 2 - Organic Onions

• 1 - Package or Bundle of Organic Spinach (5 oz)

• 2 - 8 oz Organic Cremini or Baby Bella Mushrooms (16 oz total)

• 1 - Organic Garlic Bulb

• 2 - Packages of Organic Ground Turkey (16 oz each)

• 2 - Cans of Organic Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes, Drained (14.5 oz each)

• 1 – Can or Tube Organic Tomato Paste, no added salt (7 Tbsp needed)

• 1 – Bottle of Rao’s Marinara Sauce (24 oz) – 2 Cups– This is a preferred brand as there is no added sugar.

• 2 – Packages of Organic Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (16 oz each)

• 6 TBSP - Organic Italian Seasoning – We used Simply Organic with the following ingredients: Oregano, Marjoram, Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, Sage. If you have a preferred brand, please make sure there are no additional ingredients or add them onto the label of the donated container.

• Kosher Salt, Pepper

• Olive Oil

Tools and Utensils You'll Need:

-        2 Casserole Dishes

-        1 Baking Tray

-        Parchment Paper

-        Mixing Bowls

-        Cutting Board

-        Knife

-        Metal Spatula or Spoon

- Oven Mitts

Instructions for 2 Spaghetti Squash Casseroles

1.        Cook the Spaghetti Squash. There are a couple of different methods to cook the squash, I think this is the easiest.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR PARENTS HELP CUT THE SQUASH, IT IS NOT EASY.

a.        Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

b.        Wash squash.

c.        Put squash on a lined tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

d.        Prick holes all over the squash with a fork, about 10 pricks.

e.        Due to it being circular, the squash will role. Here is a trick:

·      Bring the squash and pan near oven.

·      Get oven mitts on both hands.

·      Hold tray with one hand and put your other hand on top of the squash to stabilize it.

·      Put tray and squash in oven.

·      Remember, the oven is hot, you may need your parents to help.

f.         Cook for 15 minutes, or until it is soft enough to cut.

g.        Let cool for 5 minutes then cut squash lengthwise with your parents.

h.        Scoop out seeds with spoon. Discard seeds.

i.         Drizzle a bit of olive oil and kosher salt on the inside of the squash.

j.         Flip upside-down, so the skin is facing up, and cook for 30 more minutes.

2. While the squash is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Remember, you are making 2 dinners, so you can keep each ingredient separate,

or combine and halve later. 

3.        Dice 2 onions

4.        Mince 4 garlic cloves.

5.        Wash and dice the mushrooms.

6.        In 2 large sauce pans or one large pot, coat the bottom with

a thin layer of olive oil.

7.        On medium heat, cook the turkey, onions, garlic and

mushrooms until turkey is cooked through (no pink).

Make sure you break up the turkey. You can cover the pot for

a few minutes for a quicker cook.

8. Drain liquid out of diced tomatoes and add diced tomatoes, 7 Tbsp of tomato paste, 2 cups of marinara sauce, 5 Tbsps of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp of kosher salt, and 2 tsp of ground pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until most of the liquid is cooked off.

9.        Add 5 oz of washed spinach and cook for 1 more minute.

10.      Turn off stove.

11.      Once squash is cooked, remove from oven, flip over and let cool for 5 minutes.

12.      Scrape out the inside of the squash using a fork. It should look like spaghetti. Add to pot.

13.      Mix ingredients and split into two casserole dishes.

14.      Top with shredded mozzarella. Make sure it is distributed evenly across the top of casserole.

15.      For your family’s casserole, you can do the following:

a.        To eat immediately, place casserole in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

b.        Cover, refrigerate for up to 3 days, and follow instructions above.

c.        Cover, freeze, then defrost and follow the instructions above when you are ready to eat it.

16.        For donated casserole, you can do the following:

a.        Cover, write the "date prepared ____" on label and freeze.

b.        If there are any additional ingredients added to your casserole not listed on the label, please add for people with allergies.

c.        Please deliver casserole frozen to the school on date provided on Signup Genius.