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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Published: Oct 7, 2014 · Updated: Oct 7, 2014

    Spaghetti "Squashta" with Turkey Bolognese from Skinnytaste Cookbook & GIVEAWAY

    spaghetti squashta with turkey bolognese

    I have been a long time fan of Gina's site Skinnytaste. It is even hard for me to describe how much I owe this wonderful woman who changed my view on healthy food back in 2009 when I first discovered her blog. I was in college living in a tiny apartment and needed a better and healthier way to make food in my tiny kitchen. And then I found the treasure trove which is Skinnytaste. I can honestly say I have tried at least 50 of her recipes since then and have LOVED every single one! From her Crockpot Italian Sloppy Joes to her Baked Chicken Nuggets. They are ALL amazing. So I cooked her recipes all through college and continue to this day to make her recipes a weekly staple in my meal plans to keep me on track! And her cookbook phrase says it all " Light on calories, big on flavor" couldn't sum up her recipes better than that blurp.

    I look up to her so much and it would be such an honor to meet her someday let alone have a blog that inspires as many people as she does!

    spaghetti squashta with turkey bolognese 4

    So, yes when I heard she was coming out with her first cookbook I preordered mine right away back in April! And it's even better than I could have hoped! I plan on trying all of these recipes in her cookbook too! And I wanted to share with you the one that stood out first to me and came out delicious. Spaghetti "Squashta" with Turkey Bolognese. I LOVE Italian cuisine and Gina has a knack for coming up with great Italian recipes! I knew I had to make this sauce. And yes, I did take a spoonful or two straight from the pot. How could I not?

    spaghetti squashta with turkey bolognese 2

    And it uses one of my favorite low carb options- the spaghetti squash. I have always roasted mine in the oven but Gina makes it even easier with microwave instructions! My dinner was whipped up in no time at all!

    The sauce came out so flavorful and if you are an Italian food junky like me, then this will satisfy your cravings without the huge calorie intake from eating a big bowl of pasta. Instead you have a meal filled with veggies, protein, and enough "pasta" to fill you up for hours!

    skinnytaste cookbook

    And because I LOVE  The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor so much I had to buy another copy to share with one of you! Because once you get a copy you need to buy 5 more to give as presents this year for Christmas. I know I am! See below for giveaway details.

    spaghetti squashta with turkey bolognese 3

    You Need:

    2 oz of pancetta, chopped

    ½ tbs unsalted butter

    ½ cup chopped ( 1 small) onion

    1 celery stalk, minced

    1 medium carrot, minced

    1.3 lbs 93% lean ground turkey

    kosher salt

    fresh cracked pepper

    ¼ cup white wine

    ½ tbs tomato paste

    ¾ cup 1% milk

    1 ( 28-oz) can od crushed tomatoes

    1 bay leaf

    2 medium spaghetti squash

    ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

    Directions:

    In a large Dutch oven, saute the pancetta over medium heat until the fat melts ( 3 minutes)

    Reduce the heat to medium low

    Add butter, carrot, onion, celery, and cook until soft ( 5 minutes)

    Increase heat to medium high and add the turkey and salt and pepper

    Cook turkey until no longer pink, ( 8 minutes), Break the meat up with wooden spoon as it cooks

    Add the tomato paste, milk, tomatoes, and bay leaf

    Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes stirring occasionally

    While the sauce simmers, using a sharp kinfe pierce the spaghetti squash  about 8-9 times

    Microwave on high for 6 minutes

    Turn and microwave for an additional 8 minutes/

    Let squash cool for 5 minutes

    Halve the squash lengthwise

    Remove the seeds and use a fork to scrape out the "spaghetti"

    Remove and discard bay leaf, stir in basil.

    To serve, put 1 cup spaghetti squash in 6 serving bowls and top with a generous ¾ cup os bolognese

    Enjoy!

    Recipe by The Skinny Cookbook by Gina Homolka

    spaghetti squashta with turkey bolognese 5

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

     

     

     *The cookbook link I used above is an Amazon affiliate link

    ** To qualify for this giveaway you must live in the US

    *** If you do not win this giveaway I still encourage you to buy a copy of this book! You won't regret it!

     

    « Crockpot Lemon Rosemary Whole Chicken
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina@Skinnytaste says

      November 07, 2014 at 3:09 pm

      Beautiful photos, so happy you enjoyed it and the book!! Thanks for doing this!

      Reply
    2. kellysparklesshoes says

      October 14, 2014 at 10:40 pm

      I don't have a family, at least not in NYC, but I love making baked cauliflower!

      xx Kelly
      Sparkles and Shoes

      Reply
    3. carolina says

      October 14, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      I would love to win this book!

      Reply
    4. mary valadez says

      October 14, 2014 at 8:32 pm

      Love Skinnytaste recipes! Always been a fan! Would love to make this recipe for hubby!

      Reply
    5. Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:01 am

      Need to get that book!

      Reply
    6. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

      October 09, 2014 at 2:01 pm

      squashta made me giggle. This book is very near the top of my wishlist.

      Reply
    7. Back for Seconds says

      October 09, 2014 at 10:12 am

      Oh this looks so good! I love making a skinny thai shrimp pasta - yum!

      Reply
    8. TheSuburbanSoapbox says

      October 09, 2014 at 9:56 am

      I love SkinnyTaste...she has the best recipes without making you feel deprived. This recipe is divine!

      Reply
    9. Angela {Mind Over Batter} says

      October 08, 2014 at 10:23 pm

      Skinny Taste rocks so hard. I can't wait to get her cookbook. This spaghetti squash looks delicious! And that sauce?! Mmm...

      Reply
    10. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says

      October 08, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      I love, love, love spaghetti squash with bolognese. Mmmm!

      Reply
    11. sweetasacookie says

      October 08, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      I can't wait to check out her cookbook. A copy just got delivered to our local library so I'll be going to check it out real soon.

      Reply
    12. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

      October 08, 2014 at 9:59 am

      What a beautiful recipe. I happen to have tons of spaghetti squash from our garden just waiting to be used. This recipe is just what I needed. Love the ground turkey too. YUM!

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        October 08, 2014 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks Renee!!

        Reply
    13. Crystal Barrett says

      October 08, 2014 at 9:44 am

      Can you believe I've never had spaghetti squash? It seems to be growing in popularity! I need to get on the squashta train soon! This looks better than regular spaghetti!

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        October 08, 2014 at 9:47 am

        I had my first one a few years ago and couldn't believe how similar it tastes to real spaghetti!

        Reply
    14. Paula - bell'alimento says

      October 08, 2014 at 9:20 am

      Love this. I need to get my hands on a copy of Gina's book. It looks awesome.

      Reply
    15. Martha @ A Family Feast says

      October 08, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Love this recipe - and I really must get that cookbook!

      Reply
    16. Amy @Very Culinary says

      October 08, 2014 at 9:16 am

      I make spaghetti squash a lot with just butter, pancetta, and parmesan, but I know a lot of people prepare it this way. Always sounds great!

      Reply
    17. cake duchess says

      October 08, 2014 at 6:14 am

      I made spaghetti squash last night...one of my kids loves it! Great recipe and will have to try very soon!!

      Reply
    18. Ginny McMeans says

      October 07, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      I agree! Skinnytaste has some wonderful recipes. It is very exciting that she has out a cookbook too. I am looking forward to seeing it!

      Reply
    19. savoryexperiments says

      October 07, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      This cookbook looks right up my alley! I want to make squashta too!

      Reply
    20. christine (@foodyschmoody) says

      October 07, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      I like to swap turkey in place of beef in burgers and meatloaf to lighten things up

      Reply
    21. LaurenKellyNutrition says

      October 07, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      This looks so yummy! I love Skinnytaste recipes 🙂

      Reply
    22. Ashley Bree Perez says

      October 07, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      I have entered and would love to win! (: I would love to start eating healthy and losing weight(:

      Reply
    23. Jen Bradley says

      October 07, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      This looks so good!!!

      Reply
    24. Dinnermom says

      October 07, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      The Skinny Taste site is a favorite of mine...and this recipe is fantastic! Love using spaghetti squash in place of pasta noodle. 🙂

      Reply
    25. Heather | girlichef (@girlichef) says

      October 07, 2014 at 4:49 pm

      Mmmm...this is one of my favorite kind of meals once Spaghetti Squash starts hangin' out everywhere. It's time, it's time! Adding to my to-try list, thanks 🙂

      Reply
    26. foodwanderings says

      October 07, 2014 at 4:28 pm

      At first I read Turkey like in the country not the poultry. 🙂 Love this recipe and a great cookbook giveaway!

      Reply
    27. lanaann says

      October 07, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Skinnytaste does have great recipes that lower calories without reducing satisfaction. Great to see her new cookbook available for purchase! I don't have a copy yet, but if all the recipes are as great as this one, it'll definitely be a best seller.

      Reply
    28. Wanda Osborne says

      October 07, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      I absolutely love skinnytaste recipes they have helped me lose almost 35 pounds in 3 months

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        October 07, 2014 at 3:38 pm

        That's amazing! She too has helped me lose a lot of weight! She rocks!

        Reply
        • Wanda Osborne says

          October 07, 2014 at 3:42 pm

          Besides the recipes are delicious and informative gives serving size, calories and all nutritional facts pictures help too. I found her on instagram

          Reply

    Trackbacks

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      April 21, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      […] Spaghetti “Squashta” with Turkey Bolognese […]

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      April 14, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      […]   […]

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      February 25, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      […] L: Spaghetti Squash […]

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