Spaghetti Squash and Ground Turkey Delight–Low Carb Pasta Alternative

• Spaghetti Squash
• Pasta Sauce
• Ground Turkey or Ground Beef
• Veggies of your Choice (ex: mushrooms, spinach, garlic, onions)
• Zip-Loc baggies

A while back I made the decision to cut out many of the "bad" carbs, opting for a clean eating lifestyle. Even if you do eat noodles, spaghetti squash is a delightful alternative to traditional pasta. It may look scary the first time around. I remember when my college roommate first introduced me to it, I thought it would be hard work to prepare, but you can toss it in the microwave or cook in the oven for yummy pasta. I'd venture to say this nutrient-packed pasta has prevented a couple bad hang-overs! You be the judge!

Microwaving Spaghetti Squash

For some reason I only like to microwave when I'm desperate. I have something against microwaves. But I have done it when extremely in a hurry and it does taste just as yummy!

-Take out any frustrations on your spaghetti squash and pierce with a knife about 5-7 times all around

-Place a paper towel under the squash- you don't want any accidental messes

-Microwave 10-12 minutes (until you can cut into the squash) and make sure to rotate the squash every few minutes. Pay attention to avoid any squash explosions.

Baking the Spaghetti Squash

-As with microwaving, pierce the squash about 5-7 times all over to prevent explosions

-Bake at 375 for 45-75 minutes (be sure to check up on it; it will be ready when you can cut through the squash easily)

Opening the Spaghetti Squash

-Toss out the seeds and some gunk (or keep the seeds and bake for a nice snack)

-String through the squash with a fork to get the noodles

Preparing the Pasta

Pasta preparation is up to your pleasing now that you have your noodles ready. I personally enjoy cooking spaghetti squash this way:

1. Cook chopped onions and garlic in skillet over oil
2. Throw in your ground meat. I do turkey regularly and ground beef is my boyfriend's absolute favorite.
3. Start cooking your veggies. You can do the ones I mentioned above or choose your own. Bell peppers, kale, and broccoli are some other variations that come to mind.
4. Throw in your pasta sauce of choice. You can also skip the sauce all together and season with an herb like parsley if you are adhering to a strict Paleo or clean eating diet. I personally love Trade Joe's vodka sauce since I am not adhering to any kind of strict regimen.

A single person can only eat so much spaghetti squash in one night. The first time I tried to freeze my leftovers, I made a big mess because it all lumped together and it was nearly impossible to defrost just an individual portion.

Now, I take the leftovers and put single servings into individual Zip-Loc bags. Then I pop them in the freezer. Whenever I want another serving of spagetti squash I just defrost the noodles a bit in the microwave before heating it up in the pan and preparing my meal.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the recipe and experiment on your own. Although squash does not taste at all like actual noodles, I find it a wonderful and healthy alternative that will leave you feeling satisfied. You can do anything with these guys and they are very affordable.