Spaghetti Squash with Bolognese Sauce

When I started eating Paleo, I got a little depressed because I had to give up my beloved pasta. Being Italian, it has been a staple in my diet my entire life. I remember my grandmother telling me that "pasta makes you strong" when you are feeling sick or run down, and I truly believe this. When I told her I don't eat pasta very much anymore, she looked at me like I stabbed her in the heart. She asked my boyfriend if I was still cooking for him and that if he needed any pasta just to tell her. I wish I was joking...

This Spaghetti Squash with Bolognese Sauce is about as close as I can get. Don't expect an exact match to pasta; the texture is different,  it tastes nuttier and more rich, but is a great comfort food on cold nights and is packed with vitamins.

Bolognese Sauce

•  one teaspoon of coconut oil
• medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped
• 1 lb of ground beef (can also sub ground bison, turkey, chicken, or pork)
• Small jar of your favorite tomato sauce (way quicker than making your own on a weeknight plus I can't tell you mine :) )
• 1 can of diced tomatoes (no salt added)
• crushed red pepper flakes to taste

• Heat a pot on medium high for 3 minutes and add coconut oil
• Add the onions and cook until translucent
• Crumble the meat into the pot with your hands and brown
• Once the meat is cooked, stir in the fresh garlic
• Drain the fat (I line a pasta strainer with paper towels)
• Add the sauce and diced tomatoes, simmer for about 30 minutes (while your squash is cooking) and the sauce will reduce and thicken

Spaghetti Squash

• Preheat oven to 400
• Cut the squash in half (lengthwise) and remove the seeds
• Place cut down on a cookie sheet and sprinkle the pan and squash with a little water
• Bake for 30-40 minutes depending on the size
• When finished, remove from oven and carefully flip the squash over to cool
• Once it is cool enough to touch, run a fork through the squash and it will come out "noodle-like"



Serve the sauce over the squash. If you are feeling really crazy, serve it all on a bed of spinach. Veggie power!

Good luck to everyone competing in the Garage Games this weekend!

Nighty night lovers.