A savory blend of rich flavors, combining the goodness of ground meat, creamy coconut milk, and the natural sweetness of spaghetti squash. Start by browning 1 pound each of ground turkey or chicken and grass-fed beef in a pan until fully cooked.
In a saucepan, combine the browned meat with a jar of marinara sauce and add half a can of well-shaken coconut milk. Stir in a small chopped onion, sliced mushrooms (optional), fresh or frozen spinach (optional), and minced garlic or garlic powder. Season the sauce with 1/2 teaspoon each of pepper and salt, along with 1 teaspoon each of oregano and dried basil. Simmer the sauce on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
In the meantime, prepare a whole spaghetti squash by cutting it in half and roasting or microwaving until tender. Use a fork to scrape the cooked squash into strands.
Serve the Tomato Cream Sauce & Squash by ladling the rich sauce over the spaghetti squash strands, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal that marries the robust taste of the sauce with the light sweetness of the squash. Enjoy this comforting dish that's as delightful as it is nourishing!
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground turkey or chicken
1 lb ground grass-fed beef
1 jar marinara
1/2 can coconut milk (shake well)
1 small onion, chopped
1 pkg sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 c fresh or frozen spinach (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each pepper & salt
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dried basil
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1 whole spaghetti squash
STEPS
Slow cooker: Brown meat in skillet and place in the slow cooker. Add sauce, coconut milk, veggies, & seasonings on top of meat in a slow cooker. Nestle spaghetti squash cut-side down into sauce. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
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Instant pot: Use sauté mode and brown meat. Add sauce, coconut milk, veggies, & seasonings on top of meat in the instant pot. Nestle spaghetti squash cut-side down into sauce. Put on manual high 8 minutes and quick release. Remove squash & loosen strands with fork. Top with tomato cream meat sauce, fresh basil, & parm or any cheese if desired. You can also mix all the spaghetti squash strands in the sauce and it makes a soup, similar to minestrone. Both ways a winner.
Notes: I boiled my kids regular noodles and they had the meat sauce on top.
Tomato Cream Sauce & Squash
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- 1 lb ground grass-fed beef
- 1 jar marinara
- 1/2 can coconut milk (shake well)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 pkg sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 c fresh or frozen spinach (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp each pepper & salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
Steps
- Slow Cooker: Brown meat in skillet and place in the slow cooker. Add sauce, coconut milk, veggies, & seasonings on top of meat in a slow cooker. Nestle spaghetti squash cut-side down into sauce. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Instant Pot: Use sauté mode and brown meat. Add sauce, coconut milk, veggies, & seasonings on top of meat in the instant pot. Nestle spaghetti squash cut-side down into sauce. Put on manual high 8 minutes and quick release.
PROTEIN all the meat
FAT beef
FIBER spaghetti squash, veggies
STARCH none