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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Quick Turkey Bolognese with Spaghetti Squash

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Have you tried spaghetti squash yet? The squash that peels off in strands, much like spaghetti?! Ryan loves the stuff, so I do pick them up from time to time to serve in place of rice or pasta, or to make Greek stuffed spaghetti squash.However, because spaghetti squash seems to be less popular than other squashes, it's rare that I come across a recipe featuring it. When I saw this recipe for turkey bolognese with spaghetti squash in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine,  I knew I had to try it!

As the title suggests, it is easy. I actually threw the sauce together one night AFTER dinner (while roasting the squash), so that when we got home the next evening I'd only have to reheat to get dinner on the table. Time management at its finest! For consisting of such basic ingredients, I was impressed by how flavorful this was. Ground turkey makes it lower in fat than traditional bolognese sauce, yet it still felt hearty and meaty, likely to convert any 'beef-only' fans.
Do you have a favorite use for spaghetti squash? Do share!

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Quick Turkey Bolognese with Spaghetti Squash
from Everyday Food Jan/Feb 2012


Ingredients:
-3 bacon slices, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
-1 medium yellow onion, diced small
-2 large carrots, diced small
-3 stalks of celery, diced small
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1 lb ground turkey breast
-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
-red pepper flakes
-coarse salt and ground pepper
-6 cups roasted spaghetti squash
-grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:
1. To roast the spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise and place, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast at 400F for 35-45 minutes, until squash is tender and can be scraped out of the peel with a fork. Remove strands of squash with a fork and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium until crisp (about 8 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add 1 tbsp of oil to the skillet. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, cooking until vegetables are tender (about 15 minutes). Remove vegetables and place in a bowl.
3. Add additional 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan with the turkey. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until almost cooked through (about 5 minutes). Add bacon, vegetables, tomatoes, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to skillet. Bring mixture to a skillet and continue to cook until turkey is cooked through and sauce is thickened (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve sauce over spaghetti squash and sprinkle with Parmesan.