SPAGHETTI SQUASH MARINARA WITH TURKEY BURGER

Kimberly Cameron, Valencia, CA -
My Healthy Recipe Blog
It's time to slim down for summer!!!!!

This is really yummy & an excellent replacement for pasta. It's a bit crunchier, but delicious! My mom can be a really picky eater, but she loves this recipe!!

Low-Fat, Low-Calorie, Low-Carb

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (but cook time can be reduced by 35 minutes if you microwave the squash)
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (unless you choose the microwave method to bake the squash)

Ingredients:
1 Spaghetti Squash
1 lb Lean Turkey Burger
Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic
8 ozs Favorite Pasta Marinara Sauce
2 ozs Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tspn Dried Basil

Directions:
Step 1 - Cook Spaghetti Squash:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Cut squash in half, length-wise, and scrape out seeds.
3) Prick skin all over with a fork/knife.
4) Place squash, face-side down, on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
5) Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Note: you may want to try microwaving the squash. It only takes 10-15 minutes when you cook it this way!! Check out this website: http://www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash-two-different-ways-in-the-microwave-or-in-the-oven/

Step 2 - Cook Turkey Burger:
1) Sauté turkey burger until almost done, or slightly pink (do not cook completely).
2) Drain fat/liquid.
3) Place turkey burger in the bottom of a baking dish and let cool while squash continues baking.

Step 3 - Sauté Squash & Bake Everything Together:
1) Once the squash is cooked, drain all liquid.
2) Using a fork, break apart the squash. 

If needed, press excess water out using a colander/strainer and pot lid. Stir/fluff the squash and then press again, so as to remove as much liquid as possible. 

NOTE: The last time I made this dish, I found this step unnecessary, but if you find that your squash is extra moist, remove the excess water.

3) Saute garlic in oil until golden. Add cooked squash, and dried basil. Turn several times, for about 5-10 minutes.
NOTE: this step helps take the "squeak" out of the squash.
4) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5) Add the squash to the baking dish. Top with pasta sauce (you probably won't need more than 1/2 a jar depending on the size of the squash), and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.
6) Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Step 4 – Almost Done!
1) After baked, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
2) Scoop out a corner of the squash.
3) Carefully drain excess liquid.
4) Serve with extra pasta sauce and enjoy!

Kim Cameron Valencia CA
My Healthy Recipe Blog