Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Squash Ragù

(1)

A twist on a Bolognese sauce, this ragù with spaghetti squash simmers in a slow cooker for a hearty, hands-off meal.

Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Squash Ragù Served in White Bowl, a Block of Parmesan Cheese and Grater on the Side
Photo: Caitlin Bensel
Hands On Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
6 hrs 15 mins
Yield:
4 serves

A slow cooker makes easy work of a Bolognese-inspired sauce, thanks to its gentle approach to cooking the ingredients, which infuses each bite with deep, rich flavor. But the genius part of this recipe is cooking the spaghetti squash at the same time in the slow cooker. It’s an easy, hands-off dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor, despite being gluten- and dairy-free (unless you shower it with cheese, of course).

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground fennel or fennel seeds

  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 1 3-lb. spaghetti squash, halved crosswise and seeded

  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add beef and cook, stirring often, until browned and crumbled, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.

  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, fennel, and crushed red pepper. Nestle spaghetti squash halves, cut sides down, into tomato mixture.

  3. Cover and cook on low until squash is fork-tender, about 6 hours; remove lid for the last hour of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. Remove squash halves from slow cooker. Using a fork, gently scrape squash flesh into strands and place in a serving bowl. Serve sauce over squash. Top with cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

386 Calories
17g Fat
35g Carbs
29g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Calories 386
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 910mg 40%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 29g

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Articles