Recipe: Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce (microwave)

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH MEAT SAUCE

1 spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds)
1 pound pork sausage meat
1 small onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 (14 1/2 to 16 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon basil
salt (to taste)
fresh basil leaves for garnish

TO COOK THE SQUASH:
With fork, pierce squash in several places. On microwave oven floor, place a double thickness of paper towels. Place squash on top. Cook squash on HIGH (100%) power 12 - 15 minutes, until flesh is tender when pieced with tip of sharp knife, turning over half way through cooking. Wrap in foil. Let stand while preparing sauce.

TO PREPARE THE SAUCE:
In baking dish, place sausage meat and onion. Cook, covered with paper towels on HIGH 5-7 minutes, until meat is no longer pink, stirring often to break up lumps.

To sausage mixture add green pepper, tomatoes, tomato paste, and basil. Stir to mix. Cook on HIGH 15-18 minutes, until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. Season with salt.

TO SERVE:
Split squash lengthwise in half. Discard seeds. With 2 forks, lift up flesh of squash to form spaghetti like strands and transfer to warmed large serving platter. Spoon spicy meat sauce over spaghetti squash. Garnish with shredded basil leaves.

Servings: 4
Source: Good Housekeeping Illustrated Microwave Cookbook