Spaghetti Squash with Chicken Meatballs

This is such a low-cal delicious recipe.  Easy to make and very good.   This is one of my favorite low-cal meals.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH CHICKEN MEATBALLS

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

*1 small spaghetti squash

*1/2 cup water

*1 pound ground chicken

*1 egg white

*1 teaspoon italian seasoning

*1 tablespoon red bell pepper, finely chopped

*1 tablespoon green bell pepper, finely chopped

*1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped

*1 teaspoon garlic, minced

*1/4 cup italian bread crumbs

*1 tablespoon skim milk

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon black pepper*1 onion, chopped

*1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

*1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

*3 garlic cloves, minced

*1 carrot, peeled & sliced

*1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped

*1 large tomato, diced

*1 quart stewed tomates

*1/2 teaspoon leaf oregano

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon pepper

*1/8-1/4 hot pepper flakes (optional)

*1 tablespoon italian seasoning

*2 bay leafs

Directions:

~Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.

~Place spaghetti squash, cut side down, in a baking dish.

~Add water to the baking dish.

~Cover and bake spaghetti squash in a 375 degree oven.

~Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the spaghetti is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

~Remove from oven.

~When cool enough to handle, scoop out squash, separating strands with a fork, and set aside.

~Turn oven down to 350 degrees.

~Spray a cookie sheet with a cooking spray.

~In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, egg white, bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon green & red peppers, 1tablespoon onion, 1 teaspoon italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt & milk, until well mixed.

~Roll chicken mixture into 1 inch meatballs.

~Place meatballs on cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

~Remove from oven and set aside.

~Spray a large skillet with a cooking spray.

~Sauté green & red bell peppers, onion, garlic, mushrooms & carrot for about 5-8 minutes, over medium heat.

~Add chopped tomato and cook for 2 minutes.

~Add stewed tomatoes, oregano, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, bay leafs, salt & pepper.

~Continue to cook and stir for abut 2 minutes.

~Add chicken meatballs into tomato mixture, turn heat down and simmer for 20 minutes.

~Remove bay leafs.

~Stir in spaghetti squash & serve.

Variations:

`Substitute stewed tomatoes with spaghetti sauce.

`Substitute ground chicken with ground turkey.

`Substitute ground chicken with ground beef.

`Add 1/4 grated parmesan cheese to meatball mixture.

`Add 1 cup shredded sharp cheese to mixture after adding spaghetti squash.