Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop the seeds with a spoon.
Brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
Roast 30-40 minutes or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Once cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape out the strands of squash into a bowl.
Cooking the Sauce:
While the squash is roasting, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned (about 5-7 minutes).
Drain any excess fat if needed.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the marinara sauce. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat and stir in the ricotta cheese until well combined.
Assembling the Dish:
Place 1 ½ cups of spaghetti squash on a plate or bowl.
Top with about 1 cup of the beef marinara sauce.
Serve warm alongside the side salad.
Notes
More Carbs: Use half pasta instead of spaghetti squash.
More Veggies: Add sautéed bell peppers and mushrooms to the sauce.
Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce for heat.
Protein content: With 3 servings, ~ 37 g per serving, with 4 servings, ~ 28 g per serving.