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Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash

February 2, 2015 · by Ari · 1 Comment

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Bold, rich, nutty parmesan garlic brown butter spaghetti squash is the perfect comforting side dish. Tons of nutty, garlic-y flavor, low carb, gluten-free, and just 4 ingredients (+ salt and pepper)!

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Welcome to the last week of my twenties. So I’m totally that person that is obsessed with my birthday. Like, on my whiteboard at school, there has been a countdown for about two weeks. I love to be celebrated, and I shamelessly love to be the center of attention. I feel like as long as I don’t become one of those people that needs any kind of attention (you know, the poor me, I’ll act crazy so people notice me types?), I refuse to become someone who feels ashamed of loving attention. Why do you think I majored in musical theatre? 😉

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

But have I mentioned how I’m spending the day of the big 3-0? Oh, you know, waking up at 3:30 am to leave on a 4am bus to a musical theatre competition in California with my students. I know. Luckily I love them, and I know it will be a fun trip, but I’d rather be drinking multiple old fashioneds with Steve and having a super sentimental birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Ooooh, orrrrrr eating a big steak (Steve is the grill master) and a huge pile of this spaghetti squash at home. Because this dish is so freaking good, it is definitely  birthday dinner worthy. In fact, it was totally fight over the leftovers worthy, and goes down in history as a tie for my favorite thing I have ever made with spaghetti squash.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

I know, I know, with butter in the title and shots of literally pouring butter onto the food, this hardly seems like a healthy recipe, but honestly for the amount of butter per serving, it’s really not too shabby, and it is so, so, so worth it. The flavor of browned butter is so bold that a little bit goes a long way. It doesn’t hurt that the garlic is cooked in the browned butter. I diiiiie.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

This was my first time using browned butter in a savory recipe. Actually, I just used it for the first time, like at all, a couple of months ago and, well, now I get it. As a recovering butter hater, let me just say: It’s totally worth it.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

So dive in. Embrace the browned butter. It comes with a vegetable. 😉

Print
Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash
Author: Ari Ziskin
Recipe type: Appetizer
Prep time:  10 mins
Cook time:  50 mins
Total time:  1 hour
Serves: 8
 
Bold, rich, nutty parmesan garlic brown butter spaghetti squash is the perfect comforting side dish. Tons of nutty, garlic-y flavor, low carb, gluten-free, and just 4 ingredients (+ salt and pepper)!
Ingredients
  • 1 extra large (or 2 small) spaghetti squash, halved, seeded and scraped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Rub spaghetti squash with olive oil and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until fork tender--the spaghetti squash should easily come out when scraped with a fork, about 40-60 minutes, depending on size.
  2. To brown the butter melt in a medium pan over medium heat. Once butter is melted add garlic. Whisk constantly. The butter will start to foam first, then develop golden brown specs. Once you see the brown specs, turn off the heat and continue to whisk for an other 30 seconds, until butter is a nice amber color. Place on a cool surface to avoid continuing to cook and burning. The butter can burn very easily.
  3. Once spaghetti squash has finished cooking, remove the inner flesh (the spaghetti-like part) and place in a large bowl. Toss with browned butter (I recommend not adding it all at once--you may not need it all), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
3.2.2885

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dinner, Fall, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Low Carb, savory, Side Dish, Vegetarian, Winter · Tagged: brown butter, browned butter, butter, garlic, garlic browned butter, gluten free, gluten free spaghetti squash, low carb, parmesan, side dish, spaghetti squash, vegetarian

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

September 29, 2013 · by Ari · 51 Comments

All the flavor and comfort of hearty lasagna in a healthy, gluten-free spaghetti squash dish that will have everyone asking for seconds! Looking for more spaghetti squash recipes? I have lots!

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash #glutenfree

Today Mean Green and I had our first fight. We’ll call it the new stop sign’s fault, but Steve stopped short, I ran into his bike and flew off mine. Luckily I didn’t slide so I just walked away with some bruises, and Mean Green is a tough cookie–she barely got scraped! It was scary, but it had to happen sometime, and I’m glad it happened when the street wasn’t busy (ummm I ended up in the middle of it laying on the ground–traffic could have been a very bad thing), and when my husband was there to pick me back up.

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash #glutenfree

In other exciting and much happier news, I attended and spoke at Blended Conference this weekend! It was a total blast, and I learned a TON! Maureen gave a great presentation on the business of blogging. Christine gave an incredible presentation (literally so.much.information) on Pinterest. Kimberley gave an awesome presentation on building an Instagram community. Nicole and I spoke again on video blogging (to a truly incredible response!), then there were break out discussions, and the day ended with a panel led by Wendy, Nicole, Christine and me on food photography/how to get exposure on sights such as Foodgawker and Tastespotting. I also finally got to meet Stephanie who I’ve known through our blogs and her gooooorgeous food for quite a while now. It was a whirlwind, but I had a really amazing time! Wendy & Wendy did an incredible job putting everything together!

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash #glutenfree

So that was my eventful weekend. After all of that, I just kind of feel like doing absolutely nothing except for lounging on the couch watching Orange is the New Black (just started it, and I, like, REALLY love it!), and eating comfort food. Fall and winter are all about comfort foods for me, and comfort food always includes cheese. Duh.

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash #glutenfree

I always thought lasagna was super intimidating, but my bestie and college roommate Heather taught me how to make it, and I used a lightened up version of her recipe for years. It’s simple, easy, great to freeze in bulk and always a hit. I wanted to change it up a little bit, and I was looking for a new way to use my beloved spaghetti squash, so I stuffed it with lasagna filling. Seriously people, I don’t know why I ever bothered with real noodles.

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash #glutenfree

Between the spicy turkey sausage, the bold meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and brown and bubbly (yes, it went back in the oven for extra love half way through the shoot) mozzarella cheese, I promise you don’t miss the noodles at all. In fact, I prefer the spaghetti squash texture, and I love getting a huge serving of veggies without having to cook them up as a side dish. You guys will love this new twist on lasagna–all the bold flavors you love while eating comfort food you can feel good about eating!

Print
Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 squash half

Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Hearty, comforting lasagna in a light, satisfying and veggie-packed dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium spaghetti squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 20 oz 99% lean ground turkey breast (you can also use the 93-94% or 96% lean ground beef)
  • 1/4 lb chicken or turkey sausage, sliced
  • 1 lb can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons dried or finely chopped fresh oregano, divided
  • 2 teaspoons dried or finely chopped fresh basil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese
  • 1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Slice spaghetti squash length wise and scrape out the seeds. Rub 1/4 tbsp olive oil into each squash half and season with salt and pepper. Place each spaghetti squash half face down in a large baking dish and bake for 40-60 min. When squash is done, middle will be tender and pull apart easily.
  2. In a large pan, sautee onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add ground turkey. Season with a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook until browned. Add sausage, crushed tomato and 1 teaspoon each basil and oregano. When sauce starts to bubble, reduce heat to a simmer until thickened (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. Meanwhile, combine ricotta and cottage cheese in a medium bowl. Season with 1 teaspoon each basil and oregano. Add a pinch each of salt and pepper. Lightly mix until combined.
  4. When spaghetti squash is fully cooked, flip in the baking dish so that it is now skin side down. Evenly divide ricotta mixture between each squash half. Repeat with meat sauce. Top each half with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
  5. Turn oven to broil, and cook for an other 2 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbling. This happens very quickly–make sure to watch closely, otherwise it can burn easily. Serve immediately. Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

Notes

The sauce is very forgiving. Add/subtract whatever spices you like to get your desired flavor. I used a spicy (pre-cooked) chicken sausage, but you can use whatever flavor you like.

3.1
http://www.arismenu.com/lasagna-stuffed-spaghetti-squash/

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Low Carb, Pasta, Popular Posts · Tagged: dinner, gluten free, grain free, italian, lasagna, recipe, spaghetti squash

“Spaghetti” & Meatballs {gluten-free}

April 29, 2013 · by Ari · 19 Comments

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

So, we all know by now that I have a slight obsession with spaghetti squash. The truth is, I probably won’t give it up until I have created every noodle-y dish known to man using this fabulous vegetable. And even then, I will probably go back to the beginning and make them all again, because it just never.gets.old.

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

I was raised on Italian food. My dad doesn’t cook and he loves pasta, so it was normal for us to go out to fancy Italian dinners multiple nights per week. Sure, there are some healthy options when you go to an Italian restaurant, but let’s be honest–we really want pasta. All of the pasta. And then more pasta.

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

Well, you guys know I AM ALL ABOUT THE SAUCE. Pasta is a vehicle. A mostly tasteless way to get to some alfredo sauce or spicy marinara. Or pesto. Or…MEATBALLS.

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

Honestly, when you have huge delicious meatballs, do you even need spaghetti??? Well, I like a side of spaghetti with my meatballs. A nice side of spaghetti squash to hold onto some sauce, give me some texture, and fill out the rest of my bowl because, let’s be honest, I am always looking for the maximum amount of food possible, and veggies are the way to get there. Bonus points for them being better than “real” pasta.

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

OMG and can we talk about these meatballs???? They are ridiculous. I’d actually never made meatballs before, but I went with a combination of spicy turkey sausage and lean ground turkey. I added some chopped garlic, some onions to keep them juicy, and some oats to help keep them together. Fun fact–did you know you can sub oats for breadcrumbs in recipes like meatballs and meatloaf? I always do, and it always comes out great!

"Spaghetti" & Meatballs #glutenfree via arismenu.com

Sometimes using lean turkey can cause dishes to come out dry, but between the turkey sausage and the onions (my friend Kristi gave me the onion tip!), these meatballs were perfectly juicy and tender.

Print
“Spaghetti” & Meatballs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 6-8 servings

The classic comfort of spaghetti and meatballs with a lightened up, gluten-free and grain-free twist. Served with spicy Italian meatballs and spicy marinara sauce.

Ingredients

    For the spaghetti squash:
  • 1 large spaghetti squash, halved
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • pinch each salt and pepper
  • For the meatballs:
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% or higher)
  • 1 lb spicy turkey sausage
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 egg. lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup oats (use gluten-free if that's important to you)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasonings (preferably homemade)
  • small pinch cayenne pepper
  • For the sauce:
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasonings
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper (more or less depending on desired spiciness)
  • pinch each salt and pepper
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. To make the spaghetti squash, preheat oven to 400. Scrape the seeds and stringy center from the spaghetti squash. Drizzle each half with 1 tsp olive oil. Use your fingers to rub oil into squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Lay each half face down in a large baking dish and cook until tender, about an hour.
  2. To make the meatballs, place a wire rack inside a large cookie sheet. Spray with nonstick spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, gently combine all your meatball ingredients.. Do not over mix, just combine. Roll into approx 2" balls (or however large or small you like them). Transfer to prepared wire baking sheet. Bake at 400 (you can throw them in at the same time as your squash!) until cooked throughout, about 25 minutes.
  3. To make the sauce sauté onion and garlic in 1 tbs olive oil over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add crushed tomato and remaining spices. When sauce starts to bubble, reduce heat to a simmer until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. To plate, scrape the insides of the spaghetti squash. The squash when fully cooked will come out easily in spaghetti-like noodles. Top with sauce and add meatballs. Serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
3.1
http://www.arismenu.com/spaghetti-meatballs-gluten-free/

Looking for more spaghetti squash recipes?

“Spaghetti” & Spicy Meat Sauce

Spaghetti Squash Boats

Skinnified “Fettucine”  Alfredo

Noodleless Chicken “Pad” Thai

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Pasta, savory · Tagged: dinner, gluten free, italian, meatballs, recipe, spaghetti, spaghetti squash, spicy

Noodleless Chicken “Pad” Thai

January 7, 2013 · by Ari · 16 Comments

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

My vacation is over. Wahhhhh. It’s been so incredibly nice having the last two weeks almost completely off. I’ve actually been cooking dinner again! You may have noticed that I actually post recipes of “real food” instead of just cookies lately (although, if you ask me, cookies are totally a suitable dinner). This is because I finally have time to cook dinner, and I haven’t been living off Chipotle and those Trader Joe’s frozen black bean and corn enchiladas. It’s been awesome.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

I think Steve has been enjoying it too. In fact, I’ve been all kinds of domestic. Last week, I took out the entire contents of my kitchen and pantry, and then reorganized and cleaned ALL OF IT. If you haven’t been to my house, it’s possible you don’t understand what I project that was. Also, if you don’t know me, and know how much I HATE cleaning, this may not seem that odd, but it was completely out of character.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Steve came into the kitchen and the first words out of his mouth were “Where are you hiding the crack?” If by crack you mean coffee, then it’s on the counter….

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

So I cracked out on my kitchen, and I cooked things. It was a pretty productive two weeks for me. Also, there’s something else you need to know about me: I almost never make a meal twice. If I do, it’s either super ridiculously easy, or one of my very favorites, or both. I make this one a lot. In fact, the recipe has been up here for a while, but it’s an oldie that needed a serious update.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Chicken Pad Thai is one of my very favorite meals in the world. I know I’ve told you guys about how I used to think I hated Thai food, then discovered I loved it and someone told me that it was “healthy” so I believed them, and ate it like 4 x per week, but then I realized how calorie dense it is, and never ate it anymore. It was so sad. Don’t worry though, my story has a happy ending!

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

No, not that kind of happy ending. Or maybe your brain didn’t even go there? Sorry, mine did. Anyway….ever since I first made this dish, I’ve been in love. Everything you love about the bold flavors of chicken pad Thai–spicy with a slight sweetness, peanut sauce with lime and cilantro–perfection. This dish proves the true magical powers of spaghetti squash. Seriously, any meal you love that includes noodles or pasta, just sub in some spaghetti squash, and you will be hooked!

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Obviously, I am.

 

Noodleless Chicken “Pad” Thai

  • 1 large spaghetti squash, split length wise and seeds removed
  • 2 tsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 zucchinis, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbs reduced sodium soy sauce (if you don’t eat gluten, use gluten-free)
  • 1 1/2-2 tsp chili paste
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small bunch green onion, sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Sriracha for topping (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Drizzle inside of spaghetti squash with 1 tsp olive oil and rub in with fingers. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer face down to a large roasting pan. Roast spaghetti squash for 45-60 minutes until tender.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large wok pan over medium heat, drizzle remaining 1 tsp olive oil and add yellow onion, garlic, zucchini, red pepper and snow peas. Cook 5-10 minutes until tender.  Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until all pieces of chicken are cooked throughout.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, and lime juice. Set aside.
  4. Use a fork to remove the insides of cooked spaghetti squash and transfer into wok pan. Pour sauce into pan, add lime juice and cilantro and toss all ingredients together for 2-3 minutes. Serve and top with green onions and Sriracha if desired. And if you’re like me, add even more cilantro 😉

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Paleo · Tagged: chicken, chicken pad thai, dairy free, dinner, gluten free, healthy, low carb, pad thai, recipe, spaghetti squash, thai

Spaghetti Squash Boats

December 27, 2012 · by Ari · 21 Comments

Spaghetti Squash Boats: All the flavor of hearty, comforting spaghetti and meat sauce, in a healthy, low-carb option.

 

Warm, comforting and cheesy spaghetti squash boats give you all the flavor of spaghetti and meat sauce, in a healthy spaghetti squash topped with melty mozzarella cheese.

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

I have a confession. I kind of secretly dislike all of those “Get Back On Track After The Holidays” posts that go up. I know, I know…. And the thing is, I know that the best way to get back to feeling great after a period of eating less than great is to fill up on good healthy food and remind myself that contrary to recent events, I do actually love vegetables.

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

It just seems so….cliche. However, I know there’s always this big “problem” of WHAT DO WE EAT BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS??? Family is in town, you’re sick of leftovers, and every restaurant in town seems to have a two hour wait.

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

*Insert mandatory cliche about how this dish will help you stay healthy during the holidays*

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

Okay, but seriously, how can your family not enjoy these super cute spaghetti squash boats??? Everyone gets their own individual “boat”, and it looks so much fancier than it actually is! In fact, the only real time spent on this recipe is the time it takes to roast the squash. Then you just whip up a quick meat sauce, and you’re good to go! That leaves you with less time in the kitchen, and more time to relax and spend time with the people in your life.

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

Ever since I discovered spaghetti squash, I almost never go back to real pasta. It’s probably my favorite discovery in healthy cooking. I mean let’s be real here, we eat pasta to get to the sauce. No one orders plain spaghetti with no sauce. The pasta is merely the vehicle, and this squash is, in my opinion, a MORE delicious vehicle. It may not take the place of a gnocchi or ravioli,  but when it comes to noodles, I find it more delicious, and as someone who loves to eat, I love the fact that I can load my plate up and still feel great afterwards! It’s the perfect way to sneak in veggies.

Spaghetti Squash Boats #glutenfree

I used a spicy meat sauce, although you could use regular if you don’t like spicy, and loaded it up into each squash, then topped each boat with a little mozzarella cheese that I broiled until brown and crispy–just how I like my cheese! I served it up to a group of friends, and there was not a single bite left at the end of the evening. If you’re on the fence about the pasta swap, trust me, this is the way to try it!

Print
Spaghetti Squash Boats
Author: Ari Ziskin
Recipe type: Entree
Prep time:  10 mins
Cook time:  60 mins
Total time:  1 hour 10 mins
Serves: 4
 
Warm, comforting and cheesy spaghetti squash boats give you all the flavor of spaghetti and meat sauce, in a healthy spaghetti squash topped with melty mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
  • 2 medium spaghetti squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 20 oz 99% lean ground turkey breast (you can also use the 93-94% or 96% lean ground beef)
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fresh or dried basil
  • 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more or less depending on desired spiciness), optional
  • 1 cup freshly grated part skim mozzarella cheese (you can use pre-grated if necessary)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Slice spaghetti squash length wise and scrape out the seeds. Rub ¼ tablespoon olive oil into squash half and season with salt and pepper. Place spaghetti squash face down in a large baking dish and bake for 40-60 min. When squash is done, middle will be tender and pull apart easily.
  2. In a large pan, sautee onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned. Add crushed tomato and remaining spices. When sauce starts to bubble, reduce heat to a simmer until thickened (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. When spaghetti squash is fully cooked, flip in the baking dish so that it is now skin side down. Evenly divide sauce between each squash half. Top each "boat" with ¼ cup cheese. Turn oven to broil, and cook for an other 2 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbling. This happens very quickly--make sure to watch closely, otherwise it can burn easily.
3.4.3177

 

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Pasta · Tagged: dinner, gluten free, italian, recipe, spaghetti, spaghetti squash

Spicy “Spaghetti” & Meat Sauce

November 13, 2012 · by Ari · 7 Comments

Have you ever met those people that say they don’t like spicy food? I don’t understand them. Maybe it’s because I live in Arizona, and Mexican restaurants are more prominent than Starbucks.

Or maybe it’s because I’m one of those people who needs food with a LOT of flavor. I have friends that like their food plain as can be. No sauces, no condiments. I just don’t get it! I’m that person in the kitchen grabbing every spice off the rack, and then still adding more once I plate my food. I love bold flavors, and I’m easily bored by foods other people seem to love.

Like mozzarella sticks. I just don’t get it. They just taste like frying oil and cheese, and while I love cheese, I think mozzarella (unless you buy the really good stuff) is pretty boring. Now a fried goat cheese stick would be an other story. Or bleu cheese. mmmmmm. I know most people hate bleu cheese, but it is the most flavorful cheese! Strong, bold and delicious–just the way I like it!

Okay, but back to this “spaghetti”. Let me tell you, I freaking LOVE spaghetti squash. It’s bordering on an obsession. Every time I think “I need to carb load, I’ll make pasta” the next thought that comes to mind is “OOOHH! I’ll use spaghetti squash!” Then I realize that kind of defeats the purpose. The thing is, pasta is really just a vehicle to get to sauce. You don’t really taste the pasta and think “MMMM this spaghetti is delicious and full of flavor! I could eat it by itself!” We just need something to get us to the sauce, like how you eat a carrot to get to the hummus! Spaghetti squash is the perfect vehicle, and cuts down the calories exponentially!

Honestly, if you’re on the fence, I dare you to try it. I promise you will never look back! Here, my favorite pasta vehicle takes you to a perfectly zesty and spicy meat sauce. I would choose this over an Italian restaurant any day of the week. I always leave pasta dinners feeling overly full or just kind of disappointed. This dinner is so filling and satisfying while still leaving you feeling awesome! And, it’s just lean protein and veggies, so it’s a great excuse to eat some garlic bread, or have dessert after 😉

 

Spicy “Spaghetti” & Meat Sauce

yield 4-6 servings

  • 1 large spaghetti squash
  • 1 1/2 tbs olive oil, divided
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 20 oz 99% lean ground turkey breast (you can also use the 93-94% or 96% lean ground beef)
  • 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp fresh or dried basil
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper (more or less depending on desired spiciness)
  • salt and pepper
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Slice spaghetti squash length wise and scrape out the seeds. Rub 1/2 tbs olive oil into squash and season with salt and pepper. Place spaghetti squash face down in a large baking dish and bake for approx 1 hour. Check at 40 minutes. When squash is done, middle will be tender and pull apart easily.
  2. In a large pan, sautee onion and garlic in 1 tbs olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned. Add crushed tomato and remaining spices. When sauce starts to bubble, reduce heat to a simmer until thickened (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. When spaghetti squash is fully cooked, scrape out insides with a fork and serve topped with spicy meat sauce and parmesan cheese.

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Paleo, Pasta · Tagged: dinner, italian, recipe, spaghetti, spaghetti squash, spicy

Skinnified Sunday: “Fettuccine” Alfredo

April 29, 2012 · by Ari · 20 Comments

My family loves Italian food. In fact, our birthday celebration of choice happens every year at Avanti–the best Italian restaurant in Phoenix, in my humble opinion. They have a 3 way pasta combination that is ridiculous. There is always a set 3 things on it, but they always let us modify it and order it however we want. My pasta plate of choice: gnocchi cardinale, angel hair fried diablo, and of course fettuccine alfredo. Their alfredo sauce is thick, creamy and buttery. It sticks to the fettuccine perfectly so in every bite you get maximum sauce, and a little bit of heaven.

There are some things I just don’t eat these days, regardless of the occasion. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t. I’m just saying, for me, it doesn’t seem worth it. But you know what does seem worth it? Recreating my own that is just as delicious (seriously!) with a fraction of the calories.

Okay, seriously. I did not expect my first go at this to be a success. I kept tasting the sauce as I was cooking and shouting to Steve “Oh my gosh!!! It tastes like alfredo sauce!!!!!”

“Isn’t that the point?” He didn’t seem to get my amazement that it actually worked. I made legit tasting fettuccine alfredo. My days of drooling over creamy alfredo sauce are back my friends and they don’t leave me feeling the gross heaviness in my stomach!

Also, did I mention it’s gluten free? Carolyn, wanna come over for dinner?

 

Skinnified “Fettuccine” Alfredo’

yield 4 servings

  • 1 large spaghetti squash, split lengthwise and seeded
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 3-4 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2-1 tbs light whipped butter
  • 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/3 cup white wine (optional, otherwise sub more almond milk)
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Drizzle the center of each half of split and seeded spaghetti squash with 1 tsp olive oil. Using your fingers, rub oil evenly into squash. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Place spaghetti squash in a large baking dish center down, and bake for 1 hour.
  3. About 40 minutes into baking, begin your sauce. Place minced garlic and butter in a large pan with fairly high edges over medium heat. Cook for 3 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Add cream cheese, milk, wine, and parmesan cheese. Using a whisk, stir constantly. Add salt and pepper.
  4. When spaghetti squash is finished (center should be tender and come apart when scraped lightly with a fork), use a fork to scrape out the insides. They will come out looking just like spaghetti.
  5. Make sure all sauce ingredients are thoroughly combined, and transfer the squash “noodles” to your sauce. Use cooking tongs to toss and coat squash thoroughly.
  6. When thoroughly combined, serve and top with fresh parsley.

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Pasta, Vegetarian · Tagged: dinner, fettuccine alfredo, gluten free, italian, recipe, skinnified, spaghetti squash, vegetarian

Skinnified “Spaghetti” and Meat Sauce

November 3, 2011 · by Ari · Leave a Comment

AKA Spaghetti and Meat Sauce gets a huge make over!

Normal Spaghetti and Meat Sauce:

  • thick starchy carb loaded spaghetti noodles
  • fatty ground beef and pork
  • bland tamatoey sauce

My swaps are simple, and they make a HUGE difference in this recipe nutrition wise, but do not lack any of the flavor or comfort of the original dish. Here they are:

  • Spaghetti squash for spaghetti (-TONS of calories, +vitamins and other good stuff)
  • 99% lean ground turkey for beef/pork (-fat, -almost HALF the calories)
  • Extra spicy seasonings to give a diablo flair (+yum)

“Spaghetti” and Meat Sauce

yield 5

  • 2 large spaghetti squash, cut length wise and seeded
  • 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 6oz can tomato paste
  • 1 packet spaghetti sauce seasonings
  • 1 1/4 lb 99% lean ground turkey
  • cayenne pepper (or any spicy seasoning), Italian seasonings, salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese (opt)

Directions:

1. Rub olive oil evenly between 4 squash halves.
2. Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasonings.
3. Place face down in sprayed baking dish and roast for 40-50 minutes @ 375.
4. Brown turkey in large sauce pan.
5. Add tomato paste, seasonings and water (see packet for water measurements).
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened and squash is fully cooked.
7. Remove squash from oven and using a fork, scrape out “spaghetti” strings.
8. Add “spaghetti” to sauce, stir well.
9. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired.
10. Enjoy!

**Some words on spaghetti squash**

  • When the squash is done, the spaghetti like strings will easily come out when scraped with a fork.
  • The texture is not the same as regular spaghetti, so if you’re expecting soft, melt in your mouth noodles, I’m sorry, it just isn’t so. It’s more like an al dente pasta–a little crisper, but the taste is seriously amazing.
  • I made this dish for an all male audience and one of them (Hermano) is 14 and picky. They all loved it.
  • Just TRY the spaghetti squash–this entire meal cost about $15 and has about 250 calories a serving. A FILLING serving. Just try it!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: cooking, food, recipe, skinnified, spaghetti squash

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