Budget-Friendly Spaghetti Squash & Homemade Meatballs
This Spaghetti Squash & Homemade Meatballs dinner proves that eating a little healthier doesn't have to mean buying expensive ingredients. We're swapping traditional pasta for roasted spaghetti squash, making the meatballs from scratch, and topping everything with spaghetti sauce for a filling, budget-friendly dinner.
My homemade meatball recipe is actually based on my mom's meatloaf recipe. I typically use all ground beef, although occasionally my husband wins and we use half ground beef and half ground sausage!
💰 DINNER WITH DURF BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Serves: 4
Estimated meal cost: $11.62
Cost per serving: $2.91
Budget Bonus: I made the meatballs using 2 pounds of ground beef and froze half of the batch for another meal. That means one round of meal prep gives us two dinners!
Cost is based on the amount of each ingredient used for this meal. Grocery prices will vary by store and location.
Ingredients
For the Spaghetti Squash
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Homemade Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground beef OR 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons ketchup — I use our homemade ketchup
- ½–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
To Finish the Meal
- 2–3 cups spaghetti sauce — I use our homemade canned spaghetti sauce
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Step 1: Get the Spaghetti Squash Going
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and stringy center.
Lightly drizzle the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the halves cut-side down on a lined baking sheet.
Roast for approximately 30–40 minutes. We like ours a little al dente, so I start checking it around 30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Homemade Meatballs
While the spaghetti squash is roasting, it's the perfect time to make the meatballs.
Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg, salt, pepper, ketchup, and cayenne pepper if you want a little kick.
Add 2 tablespoons of Italian breadcrumbs and gently combine everything. If the mixture feels too wet to hold its shape, add a little more breadcrumbs.
Use a meatball scoop to make evenly sized meatballs.
Budget Tip: Check the price per pound when you're shopping. Sometimes all ground beef will be the less expensive option, while other weeks a beef-and-sausage combination may be the better buy.
Step 3: Cook the Meatballs
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
Add the meatballs and turn them regularly so they brown evenly on all sides. like to use a basting cover to help hold in the heat while they cook because I've found it helps the centers cook more evenly.
Check the center with a digital meat thermometer and cook until the meatballs reach 160°F.
Step 4: Warm the Sauce
While the meatballs finish cooking, warm your spaghetti sauce over medium-low heat.
I use our homemade canned spaghetti sauce, but an inexpensive store-brand marinara is an easy budget-friendly substitute.
Step 5: Put It All Together
Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Use a fork to scrape the inside into spaghetti-like strands.
Divide the squash among four plates or bowls, add the homemade meatballs, and spoon warm spaghetti sauce over the top.
Add a sprinkle of Parmesan if you have some on hand.
Why This Meal Works on a Budget
This is the kind of Dinner with Durf recipe I love because we're using simple ingredients and making them work harder.
Ground beef bought on sale can be stretched into a large batch of meatballs. Spaghetti squash replaces pasta while adding another vegetable to dinner. Homemade sauce and ketchup can help use ingredients you've already preserved, and pantry staples like breadcrumbs and seasonings cost very little per recipe.
Better yet, two pounds of meat should make more meatballs than you need for four servings. That means tonight's dinner can help pay for another meal later in the week.
Dinner with Durf Tip: Don't think about your grocery budget one meal at a time. If an ingredient you buy for tonight's dinner also gives you lunch tomorrow or part of another dinner, you're getting more from those grocery dollars.
Make It Healthy. Keep It Simple. Stay on Budget.
Eating healthier doesn't require expensive specialty foods. This dinner is made with ingredients you can find at an everyday grocery store and can easily be adjusted based on what's on sale.
That's what Dinner with Durf is all about:
Real food. Simple ingredients. A budget that works.
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