Butternut Squash Noodles with tomato sauce are a healthy alternative to spaghetti and meatballs. This easy lean and green recipe only takes 10 minutes and is a delicious low calorie meal.
Butternut Squash Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Meatballs
Recently, I have been adjusting my diet to be more low carb and gluten-free. I thought this would be challenging, but I have really enjoyed creating new recipes that are healthy and light. These “noodles” are a delicious and healthy alternative to pasta.
Who doesn’t need more nutritious vegetable servings in their diet? This butternut squash recipe with tomato sauce is a great way to up your vegetable servings.
What You’ll Need for this Easy One Pot Skillet Recipe
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Fresh Basil
- Butternut Squash Noodles: You can make your own noodles, but now there are so many great pre-made options. I love this brand of Butternut squash noodles best.
- Pasta Sauce: I use Whole Food’s Tomato Basil Sauce. It only has 60 calories a serving and no sugar. Rao’s Marinara Sauce is another good option.
- Meatballs: To save time, I made my dinner with gluten-free and dairy free frozen meatballs. My favorite brand is Cooked Perfect. Here’s a great gluten-free homemade meatball recipe if you prefer to make them from scratch.
- Olives: Any kind of Greek olive tastes great in this recipe.
How Many Calories Are in Butternut Squash Noodles?
Butternut squash has about 63 calories per cup! Plus, it is high in fiber and vitamins. Did you know butternut squash is high in potassium? I didn’t! This healthy alternative to pasta is a great way to cut calories.
How to Cook Butternut Squash Noodles
The key to getting the best tasting pasta from noodles made from squash is to pan fry them in olive oil and garlic before mixing the other ingredients. I like mine to still maintain some crunch while also being soft enough to resemble the texture of pasta.
Cook in your pan for at least 2-3 minutes keeping the pan covered with a lid. Toss after about a minute and continue to let them cook.
Next, add your tomato sauce along with any other ingredients and cook for another 2 minutes. Before serving, taste test to make sure the squash is the texture you like. Continue to cook if you prefer softer noodles.
Can you Freeze Fresh Butternut Squash Noodles?
Fresh butternut squash can be frozen! Simply place the noodles in a freezer-friendly zip lock bag and store them for up to three months. It might be tempting to freeze this dish after cooking, but I don’t recommend freezing once cooked. When it thaws the texture will become mushy.
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- Olive Oil Hearts of Palm Pasta
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- Greek Tzatziki Sauce with Vegetable Platter
- Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Vegetables
- Peanut Hearts of Palm Pasta
- Flower Jarcuterie
Butternut Squash Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 10 oz Prepared butternut squash noodles
- 1.5 cup Tomato basil pasta sauce, or marinara
- 5 oz Frozen meatballs (4-6 meatballs)
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil chopped
- 2 tbsp Chopped Kalamata Olives optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet with a lid, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Saute the minced garlic for about one minute, until fragrant.
- Add butternut squash noodles to the skillet and cover. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the noodles start to soften. Uncover and toss the noodles. Continue to let them cook, uncovered, for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the pasta sauce to the skillet and toss into the noodles. Cook the noodles with the pasta sauce until they are as soft as you like them.
- Stir in the chopped basil and olives.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with whole basil leaves (optional).
Thanks for sharing outstanding tasty recipe content.
I really love tasty noodles.
Thanks for sharing such a tasty recipe.
Thanks for sharing valuable content.
The kids won’t be able to eat them if they have chili.
Adding this to my regular rotation. So nice to have quick healthy options for dinner.
This was so good together! I didn’t even miss the actual pasta!
I love to use squash and zucchini noodles this way! Thanks for the new ideas looking forward to trying it this week
Blown AWAY!! This is so good and now a family favorite!