
Vegetarian · Italian-American · 40 min
Pork Sausage Ragù with Zucchini, Spinach & Basil over Spaghetti Squash
- 40 min
- 2–6 servings
- 693 kcal / serving
A pork sausage ragù with zucchini, spinach, and basil sits atop tender spaghetti squash, creating a hearty but light weeknight dish. The savory meat, bright herbs, and greens balance the squash for a satisfying meal.
Free on iPhone · servings scaled, grocery list written for you.
Ingredients
- ½ (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
- ½ small pkgfresh basil
- 2 clovesgarlic
- ½ lbground pork sausage
- 1 ozParmesan cheese
- 1 mediumspaghetti squash
- 1tomato
- 1 (8 oz) cantomato sauce
- 1 mediumzucchini squash
- tomatoes
From the pantry: black pepper, crushed red pepper, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, dried, salt
Cookware
aluminum foil · baking sheet pan · can opener · chef's knife · colander · cutting board · garlic press (optional) · grater · measuring spoons · medium saucepan · mixing bowls · oven mitts · stirring spoon
Kitchen help: cups to grams · tablespoons to cups · oven temperatures · butter conversions · what each cooking tool is for · ingredient substitutes
More recipes with: zucchini
More dinner ideas: easy dinners
Shopping list by aisle
Produce
- ½ (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
- ½ small pkgfresh basil
- 2 clovesgarlic
- 1 mediumspaghetti squash
- 1tomato
- 1 mediumzucchini squash
- tomatoes
Meat & seafood
- ½ lbground pork sausage
Dairy, eggs & chilled
- 1 ozParmesan cheese
Pantry & dry goods
- 1 (8 oz) cantomato sauce
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Ingredients for 2, 4 and 6 servings
| Ingredient | 2 servings | 4 servings | 6 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| baby spinach | ½ (5 oz) pkg | 1 (5 oz) pkg | 1 ½ (5 oz) pkgs |
| fresh basil | ½ small pkg | 1 small pkg | 1 small pkg |
| garlic | 2 cloves | 4 cloves | 6 cloves |
| ground pork sausage | ½ lb | 1 lb | 1 ½ lb |
| Parmesan cheese | 1 oz | 2 oz | 3 oz |
| spaghetti squash | 1 medium | 2 medium | 3 medium |
| tomato | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| tomato sauce | 1 (8 oz) can | 2 (8 oz) cans | 3 (8 oz) cans |
| zucchini squash | 1 medium | 2 medium | 3 medium |
Quantities in US units. Any other household size: MealPot scales the recipe and the grocery list for you.
Directions
- Roast the spaghetti squash: heat the oven and place a rack in the center. Halve the squash, scoop out the seeds, brush the flesh with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Put the halves cut side down on a lined baking sheet.
- Roast until the squash is tender and a knife slides through easily, about 20–25 minutes, then remove and let cool briefly.
- While the squash roasts, heat a medium pan over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil to coat the bottom.
- Add the ground pork sausage to the pan and crumble it with a spoon, cooking until browned and crumbly, about 4–5 minutes.
- While the sausage cooks, peel and mince the garlic and place it in a bowl. Dice the zucchini and small dice the tomato, then add both to the garlic bowl.
- When the pork is browned, stir in the zucchini and tomato and cook for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Roughly chop the spinach and slice the basil into ribbons; add them to the sausage sauce in portions, letting each handful wilt before adding the next.
- Finish the sauce by turning off the heat, then season as needed and keep warm.
- Scrape the inside of the cooled spaghetti squash with a fork to create strands. Plate the squash and ladle the ragù over it, then grate Parmesan over the top and serve.
Two tips
- Prep ahead by washing produce earlier in the day and chopping the zucchini and tomato in advance. Keep the squash stored separately until ready to serve.
- Swap in extra basil or spinach leftovers to add freshness, or serve the ragù over other low-carb vegetables when spaghetti squash isn’t available.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 693 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 64 g
- Fat
- 40 g
- Fiber
- 14 g
- Sodium
- 1082 mg
Estimates from the recipe's published nutrition data; they change with the version you pick above.
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Ingredient quantities, timing and nutrition follow the original Mealime recipe ↗ (captured 2026-09-12). The photo is MealPot's AI-rendered illustration of the finished dish; the description, directions, aisle list and serving table are MealPot's.