BAKED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

I’m always looking for easy weeknight dinners that are healthy and delicious. This Recipe is filled with healthy carbs, fats & a tomato sauce filled with veggies. ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium Spaghetti squash

1 small onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

8 oz, mushrooms chopped

1 TBSP dried basil & oregano

2 garlic cloves, minced

14oz Jar tomato sauce or diced tomatoes blended into a sauce

5 pieces bacon

shredded mozzarella cheese or any other cheese of your choice

Salt & Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut squash in half lengthwise, at this point most recipes tell you to take the seeds out that are in the middle of the squash, but I find it much easier to take out the seeds after the squash is baked. Place squash upside down onto a cake pan. I put just enough water the cover the bottom of the pan, the steam helps bake the spaghetti squash slightly faster, also then the juices from the squash doesn’t burn onto the bottom of the pan. Bake squash for approximately 45min, it’s done when a fork will pierce through the skin & squash easily. At the same time you can bake 5-6 pieces of bacon.

While the squash is baking, make your pasta sauce. You may always use pre made pasta sauce, but homemade is always better. Sauté chopped pepper, onion in either butter, EVOO, or coconut oil. I use combination of butter & coconut oil because the coconut oil helps prevent the butter from burning in higher heat. Sauté until veggies are soft, add chopped mushrooms, minced garlic & cook on low heat for another 2-3 minutes. Garlic burns very easily so stir veggies frequently & keep heat low to prevent it from burning. Place tomato sauce into small sauce pan, add the veggie mixture, oregano, basil. Simmer for a few minutes to help the herb flavors disperse throughout the sauce. Lastly add salt & black pepper to taste.

Once squash is done, take the seeds out if you haven’t already. Pour pasta sauce into the middle of the spaghetti squash halves. Place shredded cheese and crumbled bacon on tap of the sauce. Place back in oven & bake until cheese is melted & slightly brown, usually takes about 10 minutes. Eat with a side salad of leafy green salad, which makes for a very healthy, balanced dinner.   ENJOY!