Guilt Free Pasta
I don’t crave burgers or ribs. I’m not super keen on steak. I could take or leave sushi. Fried clams, no thank you. But I am a carb addict.
There we go. I admit it. If I’m upset, or even if I’m not, I could happily eat one of those loaves of bread smeared in butter from Joe’s American Bar and Grill. My favorite meal is my mom’s chicken cutlets with spaghetti. Whenever I’m blue or need a pick me up my go to is pasta. I love seafood fra diavolo, spag bol (which I’ve shared with you before), mac & cheese and I almost always get shrimp scampi when we’re eating out.
This carb addict is trying to rehab. If you love carbs as much as me, but want less carb and more nutrients I have a little secret for you:
spaghetti squash
Have you heard it? Have you tried it?
Simply roast in the oven or microwave. This site has some ways of cooking it. Then simply take a fork and shred:
For our Guilt Free Pasta dinner I made some ratatouille. I thought extra vegetables would add more nutrients to our already healthy pasta.
Ratatouille
Ingredients:
Onion (Chopped)
2 Carrots (Chopped)
2 Celery ribs (Chopped)
Eggplant (Sliced)
Garlic (1 clove, crushed)
Tomato Sauce (whatever is your favorite)
Capers (a dash for some salt and tang)
Cannellini Beans (optional)
Herbs – parsley, basil, pepper, fennel seeds, oregano
1 tblsp. EVOO
Method:
Ratatouille is such fun, easy peasant food. You really can just put whatever veggies in you have on hand. I often like to add zucchini or summer squash but didn’t have any when I was making this. In a heavy bottomed pan, add olive oil and heat to medium high. Add in chopped onion, carrots, celery and garlic, stir occasionally. Once softened. Add eggplant. Cook until softened.
Add tomato sauce, spices and capers. Also add beans if you using them.
Simmer on low to medium heat until the sauce comes together. Like this:
Serve on top of spaghetti squash right out of the oven. You won’t even know this isn’t real spaghetti!!!
Doesn’t it look just like the real thing?!? What are you waiting for? Grab a fork!
Fellow carb addict here….I love spaghetti squash. Don’t make it much but it is a good way to substitute! Let me know if you find a replacement for warm bread and butter….
This looks great! I am a pasta-aholic too 🙂
I could easily go meat free…but don’t take away my carbs! I’m the same way!
I made some spaghetti squash not too long ago; does yours end up with a bit of crunch? Mine did so I ended up boiling it like crazy…any thoughts? How long do you roast yours?