Yummy Spaghetti Squash w/Ground Turkey & Goat Cheese

We are excited to share one of our favorite healthy recipes which is a great pasta alternative, spaghetti squash. We usually make this dish once a week. We have tweaked the recipe a few times to make it just right. If you have never tried spaghetti squash you are in for a treat! It's affordable, easy to prepare and tastes even better the next day. Whether you are cooking for two or a large party, this recipe is a simple one that will make everyone happy.

This dish will surely satisfy your appetite and do so without loading you up on carbs (not great to eat before bed). Trust us when we say even the biggest pasta fans love this recipe.

Shopping List (Whenever possible, buy organic):

1 Medium Spaghetti Squash

1 Medium Sweet Onion

1 Medium Bell Pepper (Red, Green or Yellow)

2 Cloves of Garlic

1 Jar (about 25 oz) of Organic Pasta Sauce/Marinara (Tomato Basil or Herb)

Extra Virgin Oil Oil (EVOO) or Coconut Oil (Organic, Unrefined, Cold-Pressed)

Salt & Pepper

Crushed Red Pepper

1 lb of Organic, Lean White Meat Ground Turkey

1 Small Log or Brick (about 4-6 oz) of Goat Cheese (A little goes a long way)

Pots and Pans Needed:

1 Medium Pot (Heat Up Pasta Sauce)

1 Small-Medium Sauce Pan/Skillet (Cook Veggies)

1 Large Sauce Pan/Skillet (Ground Turkey and Combining Everything Together)

Prep:

Pre-Heat Oven to 375 Degrees

While Oven Pre-Heats, Prep the Veggies

• 2 Cups of Sweet Onion (Diced)

• 1 Medium Bell Pepper (Diced)

• 2 Cloves of Garlic (Finely Diced or Minced)

Since the spaghetti squash will be cooking for 40-50 minutes, this allows you to easily prep, cook the veggies and ground turkey and clean up all the pots and pans before the squash is out of the oven. Clean as you go, it makes cooking at home a lot more enjoyable and saves you a lot of time.

Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise in half.

• Scrape out center part completely like you are cleaning a pumpkin.

• Lightly brush the entire inside of the spaghetti squash with EVOO or Coconut Oil.

• Lightly salt & pepper both inside halves of the spaghetti squash.

• Put spaghetti squash halves open side/face down on a baking sheet.

• Bake 40-50 minutes depending on size of spaghetti squash. While squash is in the oven, you will be cooking the ground turkey, veggies and heating the sauce. To test if the squash is done, stick a fork in the top of the squash through the skin. If it easily pierces the skin after 40 minutes, it's done.

In a medium pot, pour pasta sauce/marinara and set to simmer (stir occasionally).

In large sauce pan/skillet, add 2 Tbsp of EVOO or Coconut Oil on medium heat. Add 1 lb of ground turkey and cook thoroughly (no pink). Once completely browned, turn off heat, leave in pan.

In a small-medium sauce pan/skillet, add 2 Tbsp of EVOO or Coconut Oil on medium heat. Add 2 Cups of Sweet Onion (Diced) and 1 Medium Bell Pepper (Diced). Cook approximately 8-10 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add 2 Cloves of Garlic (Finely Diced or Minced). Cook 3-4 minutes, until garlic becomes fragrant, be sure to not burn the garlic.

Once all veggies are cooked, combine them with the ground turkey in the large sauce pan/skillet. Then, add the pasta sauce to the large skillet of turkey and veggies and set to low heat.

Now is the time to clean those used pots and pans, cutting board and knives you used! This is also a good time to set the table.

Once spaghetti squash is cooked through, remove from oven and set aside to cool for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn them over and using a fork, scrape the inside of the squash, it should easily come out and resemble spaghetti. You can scrape it directly into the large pan/skillet. After scraping the inside of both halves, combine all ingredients together, gently toss until sauce and turkey lightly coats the squash.

You are ready to plate, time to get the goat cheese!

After portioning out the spaghetti squash on each plate, lightly crumble or shred goat cheese on the top. A little goes a long way, plus, you want to keep it as healthy as possible. If you want a little spice to it, try sprinkling some crushed red pepper on top.

Yummy...enjoy!!

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