“OMG Juli. Spaghetti isn’t allowed on the paleo diet. Pasta is the devil.” Yes reader, yes it is. Spawn of satan that dough in noodle form is. That’s why it tastes so good and you feel instantly sick after you eat it. I miss “make your own pasta” at Macaroni Grill. Holy balls could I get down with that back in the day. And I would eat like 3 loaves of their fantastic bread before my doughy noodles even hit my dinner table. And I would have dessert. Lordy.
These aren’t real noodles. These are spaghetti squash noodles. And I love them.
Guess what happened today?! I tried to act like I knew what I was doing in kickball, reached my arms out for a ball coming “right at me”, and completely missed the ball. I mean, it wasn’t really even near me. I have no sense of how to catch things. Or where a flying object is in space. Or how to catch a ball, really. But then I caught the ball later, and redeemed myself. Thanks gosh. I think my team still kinda likes me.
I think I’m going to play in the park this weekend. And when I say play, I mean read in the park. I want to read “Catching Fire” and get through the entire book. It won’t happen because I’m a very slow reader and very easily distracted by the half naked bodies galloping through the park, but I will try my best.
I also want to bake a cake. Not just any cake though. I want this cake to have bacon in it. Don’t tell me you just said ew. If so, you’re dumb. Because it will be beautiful. I just know it.
Spaghetti and Meatball Bites
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed
- 1lb Tropical Traditions Grass Fed Ground Beef
- 1 (14oz) can tomato sauce
- 3 egg whites, whisked
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fat of choice (I used bacon fat)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, use a spoon to remove the seeds and excess threads.
- Place spaghetti squash cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Make sure not to overcook!!
- Add your ground beef to a large bowl and add 1/2 tablespoon of parsley, basil, and thyme and a bit of salt and pepper. Combine.
- Make your ground beef into small bite-sized meatballs.
- Now place a large skillet under medium heat, add your fat then small meatballs.
- Then add your can of tomato sauce, extra herbs, and salt and pepper.
- After meatballs have cooked for about 3-4 minutes, flip them and let them simmer in the sauce.
- While the meatballs are cooking through, remove your spaghetti squash from oven and use a fork to dethread the squash.
- Turn oven down to 350 degrees.
- Place silicone cups in your muffin tin then add your spaghetti squash threads to eat silicone cup, pressing down in the middle of the cup for the meatball to sit.
- Once the meatballs are done cooking, remove them from the sauce, and place each one in a muffin tin.
- Now pour just a little bit of beaten egg white on top of each muffin, spaghetti squash and the meatball.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until egg is completely cooked through.
- Add extra sauce to a bowl and dip your spaghetti and meatball bites in the sauce! BOOM!
Notes
You may have some leftover meatballs depending what size you make them. I just ate them while my other bites cooked. Obviously.
OMGosh I am so excited to make these tonight. It looks so kid friendly I think the kiddos will love them. Im even more excited to make the Coconut Bites for my Mr. Amazing this weekend. I plan on having my desserts first 🙂 BTW you are hysterical. Keep up the great reads!
This looks awesome! Do you think these would freeze well. I’m doing some extra cooking for my parents at the moment and need good freezable recipes. Thanks!
I’m not sure…might as well try!
I made these today. OMG are they good.
Love these lil things, there so delic! I used a marinara sauce I made from scratch – YUM!
My first paleo meal and it was delicious! I even ate the leftovers which is something I never do.
Love. Love. LOVE THESE!!! Juli, you are amazing. Love your blog!! 🙂
umm…. AH-MAAZZING! Just made these are they are soooo Good!
A healthy & FUN dish for the entire family. My girls (age 9) helped with the entire process. We had 3 tins leftover, so our 3 dogs ate Paleo, too, tonight! 🙂
OMG meatballs!! These are awesome. Me and my fellow crossfitters at crossfit surge absolutely love the OMG menu! (we are having a get together and nearly all of us are using your recipes to contribute to the spread).
To be honest, these were really fun to make. I used to bake a lot before I went paleo and I’ve missed it until today. Julie, you’ve inspired me to find ways to make all of my paleo prep more like the traditional baking experience. You’re awesome!
-Steph
Hey Juli. The silicone mufffins cups in this recipe… are they mini’s or regular size? I’m trying to order them and I want to make sure I buy the right item. Thanks.