Mondays are rough, aren’t they?
Who wants to get up at zero dark thirty after a lovely weekend of sleeping in until the sun actually rises?
Not me!
Taco Casserole
Nevertheless, here I am on Monday morning at 5:00 am writing this blog post, and contemplating how much time I need to get to work on time.
Mexican Spaghetti Squash
When I return home where it will be just as dark as it was when I left, it’s a good thing I have this easy taco casserole waiting for dinner.
Ground Beef
All it takes to make this spicy casserole  is a container of pico de gallo, a spaghetti squash you’ve cooked in the microwave, and a package of lean ground beef.
(If you’re not a spaghetti squash fan, try some cooked nutty brown rice instead. )
Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
I’ll sprinkle a little sharp cheddar cheese over my bowl and plop a dollop of sour cream on top, then I can recover from having to start another work week.
Do you have a favorite Monday meal? Be sure and leave a comment. I need all the help I can get on Mondays.
Happy, healthy cooking!
Ingredients
- 6 cups spaghetti squash, cooked
- ½ tablespoon Mexican seasoning
- 1 ½ cup pico de gallo, store purchased
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ cup cilantro, minced
- 8 tablespoons low fat cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons low fat sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly spray a square baking dish with cooking spray. Combine squash and Mexican seasoning and spread over the bottom of the dish.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat add meat, 1 cup pico de gallo and cumin. Cook until meat is cooked through - about 10 minutes. Drain off fat and liquid.
- Spread meat over the squash and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Top the casserole with remaining 1/2 cup pico and cilantro. Serve with 2 teaspoons sour cream each.
Notes
Calories: 278kcal Weight Watchers PointsPlus 7 Saturated fatty acids: 4.05g Monounsaturated fatty acids: 3.16g Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.76g Total fat: 7.97g Calories from fat: 71 Cholesterol: 76mg Carbohydrate, by difference: 21.94g Total dietary fiber: 4.52g Protein: 28.76g
If you’re looking for more healthy and low calorie Weight Watchers recipes, check out my Recipe page. You’ll find hundreds of recipes that include nutrition information and Weight Watchers points.
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Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to  me that I provide you with accurate information.
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Waking up at 5 a.m. to write a blog post and share an easy recipe with us? Kudos to you! I’m always looking for something easy to make on Mondays.
Me too – Monday’s are rough. Thank you for visiting. Have a good week.
Kristi, your are writing at 5 am… wow you are so dedicated. I remember those days when I use to work in cold New England, left to work and came back without seeing the sunlight. To know a casserole like this waits for you at home is something to look forward to, with or without sunlight.
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Mari @ Mari’s Cakes recently posted…Ensalada de Pollo Braseado, Tomate Rosado y Aderezo de Naranja
I’m such a morning person, I even get up by 6 on the weekends. Crazy!
It is starting to get lighter just a bit earlier but man, does it stay dark here in the Winter. It is tough! Great dish – I love anything with spaghetti squash
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted…GrubKit Giveaway!
I’m not a winter fan. It’s rough going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.
You are writing this at 5 am :-S Well indeed you will have a great dinner at least to look forward too. This is a nice way to use spaghetti squash. Leftovers are great on Mondays for me
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz recently posted…Cheesepalooza: Farmhouse Cheddar
I’m a recent convert to spaghetti squash since were cutting down on the bread and refined carbs. It’s pretty good stuff.
I have no regular any type of meal so I can’t be any help, sorry. But I’d be more than happy to include this dish on our menu at some point. It looks and sounds delicious.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time recently posted…Maple-Pecan Sticky Buns from Southern Living Magazine, January 2013
It was certainly easy enough. Purchasing a container of pico de gallo is on my list from now on. I didn’t have to chop and drop, and it wasn’t in the least bit expensive. Have a good week.
Monday is painful!
I cooked up a Trader Joes mahi mahi burger for dinner and had it with some avocado and veggies. Simple but filling! Your casserole looks delicious.
Rhonda recently posted…Street Eats Food Truck Fest
Don’t you just love Trader Joes? I wish we had one nearby, but whenever I get a chance to take a short trip I stock up. They have an orange chicken I love!
You might not believe, but I was up at 510am monday morning
)
Your casserole looks really delicious and comforting…perfect for the snowy weather we have over here..
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Beluga Lentil Bread with Pickled Bell Pepper
I’m such a morning person. Sounds like you are too. We managed to skip the snow this year, at least so far. Stay warm!
Reading this now at 6:50, and I’m still tired…last few minutes before I get the kids up for school and the daily madness begins
. Love this simple dish, and my kids would love it too, minus the spaghetti squash! Favorite Monday meal is probably spaghetti w/ mea sauce, steamed broccoli or salad, and fresh fruit. Everybody loves it and super easy to make. Have a wonderful week!
EA-The Spicy RD recently posted…Winter Panzanella Salad with Kale, Carrots & Watermelon Radishes
The difference is that my kids are grown and gone, and so is the madness. I can’t say I miss it because I’m loving watching them as adults starting their own families, and waiting to be a grandma and help them with the madness! You can’t beat spaghetti to please a family. We lived on it. I could make a huge batch and freeze it for quick meals. Thanks for the reminder.
I am still on my last dream at 5 AM…and you are already busy?
This dish looks delicious, love the spaghetti squash mixed with the ground beef, what a nice meal.
Have a great week Kristi!
I drive my husband crazy. He loves to sleep in.
Kristi, you are my hero. I’m trying to get up at 7 am and it’s difficult sometimes. I like your blog even more now.
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted…Cups with veggies, pesto and mozzarella
Thank you Marta, but this awake at the crack of dawn can be exhausting.
I love spaghetti squash. This looks awesome!
Andrea@WellnessNotes recently posted…Fitbit Zip Review and Cleaning Things Up
5 AM? I’m impressed. That’s dedication! And this is one impressive looking recipe. Loads of good flavor, and a way to use spaghetti squash that I hadn’t thought of. Good stuff – thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted…Braised Fennel
Thanks John. I’m either dedicated or completely off my rocker. Probably a bit of both. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Oh wow…writing your blog post at 5am!!! You are one amazing woman! Beautiful dish. Looks healthy and delicious. My simple quick meal is always rice, mixed vegetable stir fry and fish as fish is very quick to cook.
MaryMoh recently posted…My Best Sambal Ikan Bilis
We don’t eat enough fish in this house. You are reminding me of how important it is – but even more – it’s totally delicious! Have a wonderful Sunday Mary!
This is super easy and looks super tasty Kristi! I am a working mother and wife and I need such types of recipes!
Katerina recently posted…Spetsofae
It certainly makes getting a health dinner on the table when you use simple ingredients, doesn’t it?
This is great Kristi! I feel you on Mondays, it’s even harder when it’s a holiday that my husband is off for but I’m not! Simple but tasty and something I could throw together while bleary eyed lol, it doesn’t get better than that.
Food Jaunts recently posted…Southwest Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Chipotle Lime Veggies
We have just the opposite in our house. I work for a school district so I get all the holidays off. It drives my husband nuts!
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