Is there a way to install Ubuntu stripped down without desktop applications?

As far as I know there isn't such a distribution, but you could install ubuntu-minimal using the alternate installer, or use the alternate installer to customize what you want installed on your system.

After installing ubuntu-minimal you would be left with a command line install, but all you would have to do is run apt-get install gnome-desktop monodevelop to get what you are looking for.

The ubuntu minimal cd's are available and can be found here
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/MinimalCD

Installing the gnome-core package should get you a pretty minimal environment. I would start from a server installation. You may also need to install xorg to get x-windows running and gdm to get a login screen.