Slow Cooker Spinach Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash

And the slow cooker makes a solid comeback for the fall school semester.  We're using our slow cooker 1-2 times per week and usually get 2-3 rounds of meals from it.  We're getting pretty good at substituting noodles with spaghetti squash or some nights I have the spaghetti squash and hubby has regular pasta, which makes us both happy.  The nice thing about the slow cooker is there's really only one extra pot that gets dirty in making some old fashioned pasta.

This turkey meatballs got a solid A at the dinner table with a request to repeat, so that must be a sign of goodness.

Pasta Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 small red onion - chopped
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 zucchini squash - chopped (optional, in season, added nutrition)
• 1 ~15 oz can italian style stewed tomatoes
• 1 large can diced tomatoes with garlic
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano

Turkey Meatball Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup chopped baby spinach
• 1/2 chopped red onion
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup dairy free mozzarella cheese
• 3 Tbsp liquid egg or 1 egg
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano

Slow Cooker - Additional Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash, chopped in have and scooped out

Pasta Sauce Directions

1) Place a medium pot over medium high heat and add extra virgin olive oil

2) Once oil is hot, add in the onion and garlic, stir for about a minute.  Should start to become translucent.  

3) Add in the zucchini squash and let it cook for about 5 minutes.

4) Last step in the sauce, add in the two cans of tomatoes and spices, then lower the heat to low-medium.  Let the sauce simmer while preparing the turkey meatballs.

Turkey Meatball Directions

1) Mix all ingredients in a bowl and roll into small balls, about 1.5" in diameter.. or whatever size you like meatballs.

2) Heat a skillet over medium heat and add cooking spray or extra virgin olive oil.  Place meatballs in skillet and brown around sides.  The browning will keep the meatballs together.  If you use ground beef instead of turkey, you can likely skip this step since the meat has a higher fat content and will bind together.

Slow Cooker Instructions

1) Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds

2) Place the spaghetti squash open face down in the slow cooker.  Pour in the simmering pasta sauce.  Then add in the turkey meatballs.  At this point, should look like it does below.  A few of the meatballs may be "extra browned" (oops)

3) Place the slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. 

4) 8-10 hours later, take the spaghetti squash out of the slow cooker and scoop out the strands.  Serve the squash as you would spaghetti on a plate.  Then top off with meatballs and sauce.  Serve warm and enjoy a plate or bowl of comfort food without the guilt.