New Year, Healthy Recipe

I must confess.  I'm a big fan of pasta.  And not just a little bowl.  A big bowl.  One of the changes that I'm making in the new year is to reduce my portion sizes.  That's a good way to still enjoy the foods that you love but not pack on the extra weight.  I came across this recipe in the February OXYGEN magazine and just had to try it.  It's a recipe for one of my favorite kind of meals -- you know -- the 'stick to the ribs' kind of recipe -- Spaghetti Bolognese.  Except this recipe has NO PASTA!  I was skeptical but I tried this recipe two weekends ago and loved it!  So here's the recipe:

SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOLOGNESE

(Ready in 30 minutes - 4 servings)

1 medium (2lb) spaghetti squash

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1.5 lbs. extra-lean ground turkey

1 jar (or can) of spaghetti sauce

1.  Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds.  Place upside down in a microwave-safe baking dish, add about 1/4 inch of water and cover with plastic wrap.  Microwave for about 8 to 10 minutes or until a knife slips easily into squash.

2.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet add oil and onion and let sweat over medium heat until onion turns translucent.  Add turkey and let cook, periodically chopping into crumbles with spatula.  Add spaghetti sauce and heat through.

3.  To serve, use a fork to scrape spaghetti squash out of shell and pour meat mixture over it.

440 calories per serving.

I substituted fresh mushrooms for the onions and also added some of my favorite spices and the recipe was delicious!  I found that it didn't leave me feeling bloated the way pasta often does.  This is a recipe that I know I will make again.  Hope you like it!

Enjoy!