Naturally Gluten Free & Delicious Alternatives to Pasta

 

 

As fall approaches and the season for having Spaghetti Squash begins... I have found that I am thinking about this Gluten Free pasta alternative more often.  There are actually quite a few brands that make amazing Gluten Free pasta like Tinkyada Pasta or Quinoa Pasta but if you are up for something new, delicious, and a bit more healthy you should give "Spaghetti Squash" a try!  My newest favorite way to eat Spaghetti Squash (albeit unehealthy) is with a Vodka Cream Sauce.  Classico has a pretty inexpensive version of this sauce that is delicious. Pair the store bought Classico sauce with ground beef sauteed with onions, garlic,  and proscuitto or chorizo and oh my!!! It's delicious!

Spaghetti Squash with Meaty Vodka Cream Sauce: 

 

Ingredients:

- 2-3lb Spaghetti Squash
- Classico Vodka Cream Sauce
- 1lb Ground Beef (Preferably Grass Fed)
- 1/2 Onion, Chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced (can substitute 1/2 tsp. garlic powder or add garlic powder to   give additional flavour).
- salt and pepper to taste (I generally start with 1/4 tsp. and then add more depending on taste)
- 2 tsp. olive oil 
- 3 Slices of Prosciutto, chopped (optional)
- 8 Small Round Slices of Chorizo* Cut into Quarters (optional)

* Please not that all chorizos are not the same.  Please look for a Chorizo from Spain. Like the brand Palacios.  If you find something else you risk the loss of falvour and an undesirable spiciness added as well.

Directions:
 
1. Preheat Oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Slice the Spaghetti Squash in half lengthwise.

3.Scoop out seeds.

4. Place open face downward on a cookie sheet (you can line the pan with aluminum foil and oil or not I didn't notice a difference).

5. Bake for 20-30 minutes until squash can be pierced with a fork and is tender.  

6. Meanwhile add olive oil, chopped onion, and minced garlic into a saute pan over medium heat.

7. Once onions are slightly wilted, add ground beef and pruscuitto or chorizo (be careful not to let onions and garlic burn before adding beef).

8.  Remove Spaghetti Squash from oven and using a fork, scrape out the "squash pasta."

9. Combine the Spaghetti Squash with the meaty pasta sauce, adjust flavour with salt and pepper if neccesary and enjoy!!!