SPAGHETTI SQUASH FOR DINNER – RECIPES
Trying to eat ‘healthy’ and getting rid of carbs in the diet and that means pasta has to go. Pasta is so good and makes any dish great, is there any substitute to use that is good? The answer is the simple Spaghetti Squash!
The first dinner will be somewhat detailed for you to follow along and the others will be for more ideas to try on your own! the trick to the spaghetti squash is to plan ahead and cook it in the oven and season it before you get started! The best time I have found is 1 hour at 375 degrees and use a room temperature squash too.
The first dish is going to be a Turkey and Mushroom Alfredo and Spaghetti Squash dinner. Creamy and savory dinner for us.
Ingredients
1 Large Spaghetti Squash
1 lb of Ground Turkey
1/2 lb of Mushrooms
12 oz of Alfredo Sauce
1 bunch of Parsley
Prep Time 1 hour, Cook Time 20 minutes, Serves 2 with leftovers.
To prepare the Spaghetti Squash just cut it in half and season as needed; salt, pepper and olive oil. Put in the pre-heated oven at 375 for one hour.
Lets get started, the spaghetti squash is already in the oven and it’s time to multitask and cook the turkey and mushrooms. I cooked them separate to make sure the mushrooms are cooked and the turkey is browned but they can be cooked together which I did the following night for a repeat dinner. Once cooked mix in the Alfredo sauce and let is simmer for the next 10 minutes.
The squash is now ready to be used. With a fork you can pull on the “meat” of the squash to break away the fibers which are your “healthy” noodles! Every bit of the Spaghetti Squash on the inside can be used and eaten, so scrape away and just leave the hard skin left. Each half piece is a serving for an adult so it is easy to prep and serve. Time to put in a bowl and bring to the table. In a medium sized bowl I placed the Spaghetti Squash in and left the center open to hold the Turkey and Mushroom topping.
With a sprinkling of fresh-cut parsley and a drizzle of truffle oil, the dinner is ready. The truffle oil is not needed but in nice to enhance the flavors. The parsley adds a great fresh taste to balance out the creamy savory taste in the dish. The bowls had the entire Spaghetti Squash split and there was plenty of the turkey and mushroom topping left over for seconds. This turned out great and I made it again the following night. The recipe is really up to what you like and want but not using a carb-loaded pasta it is not a heavy dinner. Check out the other dishes I made to change it up but still use the Spaghetti Squash.
Wanting to go a more Asian route for the Spaghetti Squash theme I used Shrimp. Getting started with Red Onions and Jalapenos to cook and soften them just a little. Adding shrimp and the other soft items to finish it all off.
Ingredients
2 Large Spaghetti Squash
1 lb of Shrimp
1 Red Onion
2 Jalapenos
10 oz of sweet corn
1 bundle of Green Onions
2 Limes
Prep Time 1 hour, Cook Time 20 minutes, Serves 4 with leftovers
With the veggies and shrimp all cooked and mixed together it is ready to serve up on top of the squash noodles and ready to eat! Using the Spaghetti Squash as the noodles the main vegetables and meat of the dinner can be present and not buried in a pasta sauce or carb loaded meal. With a little seasoning of salt and pepper and olive oil the squash has flavor and mixes great with anything!
Served up and ready to eat, again using half a squash per person as a serving and topped the noodles with the veggies and shrimp with freshly squeezed lime juice on top!
Health Benefits of Spaghetti Squash
Comparing the regular pasta and spaghetti squash without your sauces you have low amounts of fiber, sodium, and fat. Looking at the calories the pasta is at 100 and the spaghetti squash is at a super low 20 calories and much lower carbs than the pasta. The squash is rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.
Making another dinner again using the magical Spaghetti Squash with a Curry theme. Using onions, potatoes, and chicken to cook it down and make a hearty curry. Instead of rice, the squash was used. This turned out to be a great dinner and with plenty of yummy leftovers. This is just another example of how the spaghetti squash can be used in just about any meal you can think of. This makes you think of what and how you would use the squash in your next meal or diet but that is up to you. Please SHARE this with your friends that are looking to eat healthily and need some ideas!
Written by Brian Holt
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