If you love pasta, but you are on a mission to lose weight, we have a proposition for you – try spaghetti squash. Squash is a yellow-orange vegetable and is also known as the noodle alternative. When preparing, you can tear the inside of the squash into long strands, just like noodles.
It doesn’t taste like pasta, but with the right sauce, it makes a healthy and deciduous substitute. This low-calorie dish has a delicate texture, making it an excellent base for all kinds of sauces.
How to Make Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is rich in vitamins including A, B, D, E, and K. While a cup of Italian spaghetti pasta has 200 calories, a cup of squash has only 30 calories.
At the same time, it is effortless to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 1 – spaghetti squash
- 1 – teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and pepper
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lining a baking sheet for easier cleanup is recommended.
Step 2: Slice the bottom and top inch off the squash. Some decide to leave the top on. Next, slice the spaghetti squash in half. Use the largest knife in your kitchen and go slow. Keep in mind that it might take a few minutes.
Step 3: Grab a spoon and scrape out all the stringy flesh and seeds. Add virgin oil and place the pieces down on the baking sheet.
Step 4: Roast 30-40 minutes until you notice the squash is cooked through. Turn off the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Use a fork to scrape the noodles out.
For those who want to use a microwave instead – it takes 10-15 minutes to cook a delicious meal of spaghetti squash.
Use a knife to score a line lengthwise around the squash. Use a fork to poke a few holes to ventilate. Turn on the microwave and cook the squash for 5 minutes.
Remove squash and slice it in half. Scoop out the seeds and add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the squash face down in a dish and fill it with water (about 1-inch water). Cook it in the microwave for 5 minutes.
Remove from microwave and scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles. You can serve the noodles with tomato sauce or topped cheese.
Why We Love Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is a healthy, nutritious vegetable that contains beta-carotene, lots of fiber, and folate. It offers a spaghetti-like texture and is super easy to prepare. It is an excellent alternative to pasta and plays nicely with lots of flavors. It goes well with tomatoes and tomato sauce, garlic and onions, parmesan and other cheeses, basil, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, and balsamic vinegar.
Another fantastic thing about squash is that their flavors help you lose weight. Other than being a low-calorie food, squash is inexpensive and a rich source of anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Whether it is combined with tomato sauce or topped with cheese sauce, squash is an excellent addition to your weight loss plan.