A fun twist on traditional spaghetti

[su_expanding_quote alignment=”right” source_author=”Dr. Joel Fuhrman (author of Super Immunity and Eat to Live)” source_title=”DrFuhrman.com” affiliate_link=”http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/fight_breast_cancer_with_gbombs.aspx” full_quote=”In one recent Chinese study, women who ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day (which equates to about one button mushroom per day) had a 64% decreased risk of breast cancer! All types of mushrooms have anti-cancer properties. Plus, mushrooms are unique in that they contain aromatase inhibitors—compounds that can block the production of estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors are thought to be largely responsible for mushrooms’ preventive effects against breast cancer. Even the most commonly eaten mushrooms (white, cremini, and Portobello) have high anti-aromatase activity.” short_quote=”In one recent Chinese study, women who ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day had a 64% decreased risk of breast cancer”]

There are two categories of squash: summer and winter, identified by the time of year each is at its peak in flavor. Spaghetti squash, with its flesh that can be fluffed into pasta-like threads, fits in the winter category. All squash are in the pumpkin family, identified as a super food because of their high nutritional value.

[su_expanding_quote alignment=”full” source_author=”” source_title=”Food Facts” affiliate_link=”http://foodfacts.mercola.com/spaghetti-squash.html” full_quote=”Spaghetti squash contains about 457 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 52 percent of vitamin C, which can help prevent free radical damage to cells. Other antioxidants found in this squash variety are beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which are all linked to healthy vision and optimal eye health.

Spaghetti squash is also rich in the B vitamins riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin, which promote optimal cellular function. Potassium, a mineral that maintains proper muscle and nerve function, is also present in spaghetti squash, making it helpful for people with high blood pressure. Manganese, a mineral that assists in bone and tissue heath, metabolism, calcium absorption, and nerve function, is another key component. Spaghetti squash also contains the essential minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.” short_quote=”Spaghetti squash contains about 457 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 52 percent of vitamin C”]

Spaghetti Squash Marinara Bowls
Print Recipe
This is a fun twist on traditional spaghetti.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Spaghetti Squash Marinara Bowls
Print Recipe
This is a fun twist on traditional spaghetti.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Roasted spaghetti squash
Meat sauce
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
Roast spaghetti squash
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Brush spaghetti squash with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
  3. Roast, skin side up in oven until tender, about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, cool slightly and fluff with fork, scraping away from skin and making a “bowl” of the spaghetti squash.
Meat sauce
  1. While the squash is roasting, heat 2 tablespoon canola oil in a medium sauce; cook the turkey, mixing occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove turkey from skillet and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in the same sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook until onion is translucent and mushrooms brown—about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, another 2 – 3 minutes.
  3. Add the turkey, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and red pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low , cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Mix Parmesan and Mozzarella in a small bowl.
  5. Scoop meat sauce into spaghetti squash “bowls.” Spread cheese on top.
  6. Bake at 450 for 6 – 8 minutes until cheese is melted.
Recipe Notes

Variations

  • For a vegetarian meal, skip the ground turkey, or replace it with 1 cup cooked lentils.
  • Replace ground turkey with grass-fed ground beef, ground bison or turkey sausage.
  • You can leave out the mushrooms; I include mushrooms whenever I can because they have proven cancer-fighting properties.

A Color My Food Original Recipe

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A Hearty Wild Rice Dish

I like the texture and colors of a wild rice blend, but also use brown rice instead.

The chicken broth enhances the flavor (and nutrients); use vegetable broth instead for vegan guests, or even simply use water.

As a side dish it also pairs nicely with grilled chicken, broiled fish brushed with extra-virgin olive oil and crushed garlic, or roasted pork tenderloin.

It is even robust and nutritious enough to be a main entrée, try one of the below variations. It easily dresses up for guests served on a bed of spinach or baby kale tossed in lime vinaigrette. Serve it with crusty bread with a pesto dip. And for dessert, the Mango Yogurt Mousse.

Variations:

  1. Add 1 chopped avocado, 1 chopped mango and 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  2. Add a 1 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped basil
  3. Add 1 cup of black beans, and 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro.
  4. Add 1 chopped cucumber and 1/2 cup chopped mint
Wild Rice, Quinoa and Corn
Print Recipe
Servings
8
Servings
8
Wild Rice, Quinoa and Corn
Print Recipe
Servings
8
Servings
8
Ingredients
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. Place the wild rice in a saucepan and toast it over medium heat until the translucent grains of the white rice look white. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to simmer and cook approximately 45 minutes or until rice is tender.
  2. In another saucepan, toast the quinoa. When it begins to make little popping sounds, add the water, bring it to a boil. Immediately turn heat down to simmer and cover the quinoa. Cook 25 minutes. Do NOT salt the quinoa until after it cooks or the seeds (technically they are seeds rather than grains) will not pop open.
  3. Mix the wild rice with the quinoa, add the corn and green onion and mix.
  4. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with 1–2 tablespoons olive oil and mix one more time.
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