Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is quite simple! For those of you who are health conscious or just want to try something different than your typical spaghetti dish, this is a wonderful light meal that is shockingly similar in flavor to any pasta under meat sauce. 

Truthfully, I had been reading about spaghetti squash on a lot of blogs recently, and for some reason I wrote it off as being one of those substitute dishes that wouldn't even compare to the original, but I was totally wrong. Even my step dad, Greg, who keep in mind LOVES pasta, said he actually preferred it. WHAT?! Yes that's right. My step dad prefers spaghetti squash to pasta. If that isn't an incentive to test it out, then I don't know what is.

Spaghetti squash can be prepared in a multitude of ways, such as baked, sauteed, boiled or even microwaved. If you want you can even add extra veggies like mushrooms, squash, zuchinni, or asparagus etc. to add substance. 

I chose to microwave the spaghetti squash for about 8-10 minutes until the outside skin started to become soft. Once the squash cools down, cut in half and discard the center section with the seeds. Then begin to fork the inside edges of the vegetable and you will see how easy the strands really do fall off!

Place the squash strands in a bowl and set aside while you begin the turkey meat sauce.

Over medium-high heat, saute the ground lean turkey meat (or any meat you prefer) and cook until it turns brown.

Pour the marinara sauce into the pan with the ground Turkey (I used Trader Joe's Basil Marinara Sauce) and reduce to medium heat. Add a little water to the mixture because over time the sauce with reduce. Season to your liking with salt, pepper, garlic powder etc. I didn't because the marinara sauce I used was already pretty flavorful.

While the Turkey is absorbing the marinara sauce ingredients, place the spaghetti squash in a medium sized pan and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the squash has released it's water and become more tender.

Once the spaghetti squash is finished, remove from the stove and serve on plates. Top with the ground turkey and marinara sauce to complete!

 

 Serves 4

 Ingredients:

2 Spaghetti Squash

Pepper

 Salt

 Lean Ground Turkey

2 tbs. Parmesan Cheese

Marinara Sauce

Directions:

Microwave the spaghetti squash for 8-10 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Slice in half. Then discard the seeds and center of the vegetable. Begin to fork the sides, releasing the strands. Place the spaghetti squash in a side bowl; set aside.

Saute the ground turkey in a medium-sixed pan over medium-high heat. Toss regularly. Once the meat browns, add the marinara sauce. Reduce to medium-low and let the meat sit to absorb all the flavors or the tomato sauce. Depending on what brand of sauce you use, season to your liking.

Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Add the spaghetti squash noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the moisture releases and the strands become tender.

Finally, serve the strands on a plate and top with warm turkey marinara sauce. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top to complete!

Bon Appetit!