Spaghetti Dinner-Paleo Style!

If there is one thing I have really missed eating Paleo... it is our pasta dinners, which use to be such a staple in our diet. This dinner was a perfect remedy, and one of my new favorites! I can honestly say this spaghetti squash dinner hit the spot!! I was so pleased... and it made a lot! YES... leftovers!

Okay... the hardest thing about putting this dinner together was cutting the darn spaghetti squash! I couldn't believe it... I CrossFit and I couldn't slice a squash in half??? So humiliating. I was about ready to get out the ax, when I decided to, reluctantly, call Scott for help. I was slightly pleased to see that it was difficult for him, too! Once cut, remove the pulp and seeds...

Bake squash on a baking sheet, rind side up, at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. When it's done, you just have to scrape it out into a bowl using a fork or spoon! It looks and acts like pasta!

I later found out that you can cook the whole squash in the oven without cutting it first! Advantage... it cuts easier! Downside... it takes longer to cook, and is super hot! You have to be really careful when cutting it open, and scraping out the HOT seeds and pulp. Also be sure to pierce several holes in it first, to let out the steam. You can also boil it for about 20 minutes to soften it up a bit. All that being said... it is sooooo worth it! I promise! :)

While the squash is cooking... make your sauce!

This was delicious. I used extra lean ground pork. It is lower in fat than lean ground beef or ground turkey... and has a great flavor!

Ingredients:

1 lb (or so) extra lean ground pork

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce, no added salt

1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, no added salt

2 T Italian seasoning

1/2 cup red wine

1/4 to 1/2 C water (added to get to desired consistency)

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

fresh cracked pepper

Brown ground pork in skillet. Add garlic and onions. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, and then simmer, uncovered, until the squash is ready.

Bon Appetit!

Yield: about 6, 1C servings.

Zone blocks: 1F, 4P, 2C ... Have a side salad to balance out blocks! It's a little low in fat, so add some sliced almonds or avocado to your salad! Enjoy...