If I didn't know any better, I would think my husband had an Italian heritage. He doesn't. But if he were in charge of feeding our family, I am pretty confident he would feed us pasta...every night. And our waist lines would be significantly larger, good thing I am in charge! 😉 To stay in good graces with my hubby, we do still have Italian food on a regular basis, but it is sans traditional pasta. Standing in for the carb-heavy pasta are delicious, refreshing and healthy zoodles (zucchini noodles)! They are super simple to make with a spiralizer...add a healthy sauce on top and you have a quick, simple, tasty Italian dinner AND a happy husband.
Zucchini Noodles "Zoodles" with Sauce
Ingredients:
1lb ground turkey (I prefer White Oak Pastures or the organic one Whole Foods carries if needed in a pinch)
2 cups shiitake mushrooms (optional)
1 jar Rao's Homemade Artichoke Sauce Pasta (or your fav sauce, look for one that meets the requirements below)
2-4 zucchini squash, spiralized
Directions:
1. Brown turkey in large pot over medium heat. I like to use a dutch oven.
2. If utilizing mushrooms, add to pot, cover and continue to cook for 4 more minutes.
3. Add sauce and reduce heat to low, cover. Simmer until sauce is heated through, approximately 8-10 minutes.
4. While sauce is warming, spiralize zucchini utilizing spiralizer.
5. Place zoodles on plate and top with sauce.
Notes:
Sub Out the Turkey - if you prefer, use grass fed ground beef OR skip the meat all together and make it a vegan dish.
Sauce - when selecting a sauce, try to choose one with only a few ingredients you can pronounce and less than 6g of sugar per serving. A few of my favorites are:
Rao's Homemade Artichoke (there are several other flavors that are good)
Muir Glen Portabello Mushroom Pasta Sauce
Whole Foods 365 Roasted Red Pepper
Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti with Mushrooms
Zoodles - I like my zoodles raw, my husband likes them slightly sautéed. You can lightly sauté the zoodles if you would prefer by heating a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and zucchini noodles. Cook 4 minutes, tossing frequently.
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