“Spaghetti” with Classic Tomato Sauce is bursting with simple and beautiful Italian flavours! This guilt-free & healthy dish will be your new go-to on pasta night…guaranteed!
Do you feel bloated or ‘heavy’ after eating a bowl of pasta?
What if you could enjoy the flavours of a classic and heart warming Italian dish without having to worry about the negative impact it might have on your body?
What if you could find a replacement that is naturally rich in nutrients, low in carbohydrates and even looks like the spaghetti noodle?
Might you be convinced to try it?
Drum roll please ….
… I present to you, The Spaghetti Squash!
Before you shake your head and say – “I’ll never give up my favourite pasta dish for sauce on squash” – hear me out…
I’m sure most Italians would agree that the magic in a bowl of pasta comes from the sauce. Nonna’s sauce tastes amazing on just about anything!
So my theory is, if you have the perfect sauce, the noodle just doesn’t matter as much.
We’ve all tasted a not so good tomato sauce at one point or another. Bottom line is, if the sauce ain’t good, the pasta ain’t good, no matter how perfect the noddle.
That doesn’t mean we should put less attention on the noodle, but it does mean we have a little room for play instead.
So now that I have you half convinced, let’s move forward to cooking the perfect spaghetti squash. The trick here is simple – don’t overcook it! This will ensure that you maintain the traditional ‘al dente’ texture of the noodle. See my instructions on cooking spaghetti squash below.
Now for the magic. I love to keep my tomato sauce simple and classic – as the smell fills my home with memories of my grandparent’s kitchen growing up.
What you need for “Spaghetti” with Classic Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti squash
Pureed tomatoes
Garlic
Basil
Extra virgin olive oil
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"Spaghetti" with Classic Tomato Sauce is bursting with simple and beautiful Italian flavours! This guilt-free dish will be your new go-to on pasta night. Gluten free, plant-based, paleo & low-carb.
1600-700 ml can or jarpureed tomatoes, (tomato passata)
2garlic cloves, crushed
2-3fresh basil leaves, or 1/2 tsp dried basil
1tbspextra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper , to taste
Instructions
Spaghetti Squash
Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and remove seeds with spoon.
Bake at 400F for 30-40 min (first 10 min bake with flesh down, then turn so skin is down for remaining time). Fork should pierce skin easily when squash is cooked. See notes below.
Use a fork to scrape out the strands of squash.
Classic Tomato Sauce
In a sauce pan, sauté garlic and basil in olive oil over medium heat until garlic becomes fragrant. If you are using fresh basil, add basil leaves in after step 2.
Add tomatoes and bring to a light boil for 5 min. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Bring to medium-low heat and let simmer for 45 min.
Add tomato sauce on top of cooked squash noodles and enjoy!
Notes
Cooking time varies depending on the size of the squash. Check regularly to avoid overcooking the squash. You want the noodles to be ‘al dente’.
Time your spaghetti squash so that it’s done cooking around the same time as your sauce, so your noodles don’t cool.
Are you looking for a low-carb and gut friendly alternative to grains like rice, quinoa and couscous? Look no further than Cauliflower “Rice”! This nutrient-dense vegetable is a perfect substitute for grains and will leave you feeling satisfied. It’s extremely versatile and can be used as a base or side for so many dishes.
A few great ways to add Cauliflower “Rice” to your menu …
Are you looking for a low-carb and gut friendly alternative to grains like rice, quinoa and couscous? Look no further than Cauliflower "Rice"! This nutrient-dense vegetable is a perfect substitute for grains and will leave you feeling satisfied. It's extremely versatile and can be used as a base or side for so many dishes.
This Bacon & Egg Muffin recipe is the perfect way to prepare eggs for the entire family! It’s an easy and super cool method that will have you wondering why you’ve been fussing with a frying pan all this time. Only 2 whole food ingredients needed for this fun and delicious breakfast recipe. Get crackin’!
DID YOU KNOW? Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. One egg provides 13 essential nutrients, which are found all in the yolk! #eattheyolk
Check out this easy and fun way to prepare eggs for the entire family without feeling the need to throw your frying pan across the kitchen!
Bacon & Egg Muffins are the perfect way to prepare eggs for the entire family! This easy and super cool method will have you wondering why you've been fussing with a frying pan all this time. Only 2 simple and whole food ingredients needed for this fun and delicious breakfast recipe. Get crackin'!
1. Place eggs in a pot and cover with cool water by an inch. 2. Bring water to a boil over high heat. 3. Once water begins to boil, remove pot from burner and allow eggs to cook in the pot of hot water for 8-10 minutes. 4. Drain water and immediately run cold water over eggs until cooled. 5. Peel and enjoy in your favourite recipe or on its own.
Make your hard boiled eggs mouth popping good by adding your favourite spices, oil and sea salt. Give my Turmeric Basil Hard Boiled Eggs a try!
Serve these eggs alongside sliced tomato and avocado for breakfast OR add them to a salad for a healthy lunch
INGREDIENTS: (serves 1)
2 hard boiled eggs
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut eggs in half lengthwise.
2. Drizzle olive oil over eggs then add spices and sea salt on top.
This Lemon Scallop Salad is a light and fresh salad recipe! It’s easy and quick to prepare with simple ingredients like scallops, arugula and lemon. Enjoy this delicious AIP, paleo & keto salad for lunch or dinner.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between raw extra virgin coconut oil and expeller-pressed coconut oil?
The main difference is that expeller-pressed coconut oilis more heat stable making it safer for cooking at medium to high temperatures. It’s also flavourless and odorless, so you won’t get a coconut taste or smell infused into your food.
I usually recommend expeller-pressed coconut oil for cooking and baking. Raw extra virgin coconut oil is best used in smoothies, raw/no-bake desserts and snacks.
DID YOU KNOW? The MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) in coconut oil boost your metabolism and help your body use fat for energy, which can lead to weight loss, an increase in energy, accelerated healing and improved immunity.
This Lemon Scallop Salad is a light and fresh salad recipe! It's easy and quick to prepare with simple ingredients like scallops, arugula and lemon. Enjoy this delicious AIP, paleo & keto salad for lunch or dinner.
Arugula & Avocado Salad is fresh, creamy and super healthy! With simple ingredients like arugula, avocado, sprouts, and spices (or fresh herbs if you have them on hand), you can enjoy this fresh bitter green salad in just 5-minutes! Pair this salad with meat or fish for a complete and healthy meal. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto.
DID YOU KNOW? Arugula is higher in antioxidants than most green lettuces, including dark green leafy varieties. Not to mention its ability to help your body detoxify due to the bitter properties found in this powerful green plant.
How to store arugula
Store arugula in cold and moist environment, 32°-40°F (0°-5°C) and 95 percent relative humidity.
Wrap leaves in a cloth or paper towel and place them in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator.
Arugula will keep in the refrigerator for about 10 days, but it will be most flavorful if used before 6 days.
Arugula leaves that are stored too cold or too long will begin to wilt, and develop yellow and brown spots.
Arugula & Avocado Salad is fresh, creamy and super healthy! With simple ingredients like arugula, avocado, sprouts, and spices (or fresh herbs if you have them on hand), you can enjoy this fresh bitter green salad in just 5-minutes! Pair this salad with meat or fish for a complete and healthy meal. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto.
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.
