I’m still trying to get Ted to eat less meat.  I know… for all you meat lovers you ask “Why?!!” The answer is simple:  because it would make cooking meals easier FOR ME.  No more planning a recipe for meat and another for meat-less.  It would be one recipe, one meal, one pot to clean.  This recipe does just that.  One bowl to mix and one pan to cook.  Did Ted like it?  Read on…

Italian Meatlessballs in Squash3

Italian Meatlessballs in Squash1

Serves 4 to 6

  • 1 package (14 oz) Meatless crumbles (I used Lightlife Gimme Lean Beef)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs *season with 1 tsp Italian seasoning and a pinch of pepper
  • 2 TBS soy milk or water
  • 2 TBS finely chopped onion
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 TBS ketchup
  • 1 large egg, slightly beaten
  • pinch of garlic powder
  • 2 TBS grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large squash
  • 1/2 a jar of your favorite pasta sauce

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Place the squash on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 6 minutes.  Remove and cut off top to remove seeds  *when it is cool enough to touch.  Cut out some of the squash “meat” and cut into chunks. Put 1/2 of the chunks on the bottom of the “gutted” squash. Hold rest to use with the meatlessballs. Set on a foil lined large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together all meatless ball ingredients from the crumbles to the parmesan cheese.  Form into balls, about 2 inch diameter. Gently place half of the balls into the squash and top with more of the squash chunks. 

Add a little pasta sauce to the foil at the side of the squash and place the remaining meatlessballs on top of the sauce.  Place any more remaining squash chunks next to balls. Top with more sauce and top the balls and squash chunks inside the squash with sauce. 

Italian Meatlessballs in Squash4

Bake for 30 – 35 minutes.

Italian Meatlessballs in Squash2

As for Ted, he did have 3 servings.  I thought “Success!” until he muttered something after dinner. I replied “You had 3 servings, you must have enjoyed the meatless meat balls?  I thought they turned out really good – just like ground meat.”  His response:  “Oh poor you.  You forgot what real meat tastes like.”  Confused smile 

A.  He DID have 3 servings … and

B.  Don’t ever think I will stop tryingWinking smile

How well are your meatless recipes received in your house?

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