Easy, fast, meatless meal!

Tonight, dinner was a success. This is not always the case due to the small amount of time I have to make dinner between class and SF going to work, but tonight I made it work. Here's how:

I decided to make an all vegetable version of the classic spaghetti and meatballs using spaghetti squash, some marinara I had in the fridge, mushrooms, and some frozen veggie meatballs. Thinking back now, I wish I had taken pictures of the process as I went along, but I only had about 30 minutes to make dinner and get it on the table so I'm lucky I got a picture of the final product.

Spaghetti Squash and Meat(less)balls with Mushroom Marinara:

 Makes 2 servings:
Large spaghetti squash
Cooking spray
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Frozen veggie meatballs
1 clove garlic, minced
4 or 5 medium/large baby bella mushrooms, sliced
About 1/2 cup of marinara or whatever red sauce you have on hand
Parmesan cheese
Herbs for garnish (I didn't have any but it would have looked nice!)

1. Cut a large spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Drizzle the squash halves with olive oil and lightly season with salt and pepper. Place halves FACE DOWN on baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until inside flesh is tender.
3. Cook frozen meat(less)balls according to directions on package. Mine suggested using the oven so I just adjusted the oven temp when it was time to cook the meat(less)balls and timed accordingly with the squash.
4. While squash and meat(less)balls are cooking, heat a small pan with a tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat and sautee the mushrooms and garlic until golden brown and soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add marinara to the same pan with the mushrooms and turn on low to let the sauce warm up and pick up the mushroom flavor.
6. Once squash and meat(less)balls are done, turn squash halves over and scrape out inner flesh with a fork. It will come out looking like spaghetti noodles (hence the name!). Scoop the "noodles" into a bowl and top with the mushroom marinara mixture. Add desired number of meat(less)balls and top with Parmesan cheese.
7. Add fresh herbs for garnish if you have them or if you are really trying to impress!

My food photography skills need some work, but don't let the picture deceive you, this meal was delish! I felt so satisfied and even forgot that I was eating a "fake" version of spaghetti and meatballs! This would make a great "meatless Monday" meal or any night when you need a veggie boost.

Happy cooking!