Roasted Spaghetti Squash & Paleo Lamb Meatballs

Kyra Williams for The Upside Blog

by | Updated: October 20th, 2017

There’s no reason to avoid the foods you love. Indulging in a savory plate of pasta once in a blue moon will not result in weight gain. However, if your love for these heavenly noodles are as strong as ours, your cravings may become difficult to ignore. But there’s no need to deprive yourself!

This tasty recipe takes the carb out of carbonara by swapping traditional pasta noodles with spaghetti squash. Not into meatballs? That’s OK. Try these seasoned-to-perfection vegan walnut “meatballs” instead!

Homemade Paleo Lamb Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash | Vitacost.com/Blog

Yields 12 meatballs

Ingredients

Noodles
1 whole spaghetti squash
1 bunch asparagus, ends cut
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. Vitacost Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 egg yolk, optional
1-2 oz. grated Romano cheese, optional
1 Tbsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts, optional

Meatballs
1 lb. ground lamb
1 egg, beaten
3 tsp. tomato paste
1-1/2 minced garlic cloves
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. dried mint
1 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Pink Salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Prepare cacio e pepe: Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Use fork to pierce spaghetti squash (all over). Roast for one hour. Cut open lengthwise, let cool, then spoon out seeds.
  2. In skillet on medium-high, heat butter and olive oil. Starting at one end, use fork to scrape out squash into skillet. Add asparagus. Use wooden spoon to separate squash into “noodles” and coat in butter and oil. Add salt and pepper. Cook asparagus until desired consistency and remove from heat.
  3. Prepare the meatballs: Preheat oven 350 degrees F. In mixing bowl, using your hands, thoroughly combine meatball ingredients. Mold mixture into 12 balls, place on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
  4. Scoop noodles onto plate, creating a well for egg yolk (if using). Pour egg yolk into well while veggies are still hot to somewhat cook. Serve with meatballs and top with cheese and pine nuts.

For more paleo-friendly recipes, download our FREE paleo recipe e-book.

Kyra Williams

Kyra Williams hasn’t always been fit. She used to be quite the opposite, in fact. During her college years, she lived on pizza and beer and packed on an unhealthy amount of pounds, due to total inactivity. One day, something clicked, and Kyra knew it was time to lose the weight. Since that time, she’s fallen so in love with fitness that she’s made it her life’s work to help others to make the changes they need to become fit, active and healthy.

Kyra is a self-employed, NASM-certified online personal trainer and nutrition expert, Crossfit Level One Trainer, USA Weightlifting and USA Powerlifting Coach, and she’s helped women all over the world through her online training services and training programs. For more info or to connect with Kyra, visit kyrawilliamsfitness.com.