Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese: A Wholesome Low-Carb Family Favorite

Welcome to a recipe that promises to be both hearty and light, incredibly delicious, and universally loved by everyone at your table: Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese. This dish is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of wholesome ingredients transformed into a comforting classic, offering a fantastic low-carb and low-calorie alternative to traditional pasta. We’re especially thrilled to share this particular recipe, as it comes from the renowned The Skinnytaste Cookbook, penned by the incredibly talented Gina Homolka herself.

For years, Skinnytaste has been a beacon for healthy eating, inspiring countless home cooks with recipes that are not only nutritious but also bursting with flavor. Gina Homolka has mastered the art of making healthy food accessible, delicious, and easy to prepare, even on the busiest weeknights. Her philosophy revolves around using wholesome, real ingredients—an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains—which perfectly aligns with our vision of what healthy eating truly embodies. It’s food that nourishes the body without compromising on taste, making it a staple in many kitchens, including ours.

Why Spaghetti Squash is Your New Favorite Pasta Alternative

If you’re looking for a clever way to reduce carbs and calories while still enjoying the comforting experience of a pasta dish, spaghetti squash is your culinary hero. Affectionately nicknamed “Squashta” by some, this versatile winter squash offers a unique, stringy texture that mimics traditional spaghetti strands once cooked and scraped with a fork. It’s incredibly mild in flavor, which makes it an ideal canvas for robust sauces like a rich turkey bolognese. Beyond its carb-friendly profile, spaghetti squash is packed with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, fiber, and manganese, making it a fantastic addition to a balanced diet.

Many people hesitate to try spaghetti squash, often wondering if it truly tastes like pasta. Let me assure you, while its texture provides a wonderful pasta-like experience, its flavor is distinctly that of a mild, earthy squash. This is precisely why it pairs so beautifully with a hearty, flavorful sauce. The squash absorbs the delicious essence of the bolognese, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies deep cravings without the heaviness of traditional pasta. For me, discovering spaghetti squash several years ago was a game-changer, especially when I was focusing on healthier eating habits and weight loss. It quickly became my go-to for satisfying those pasta cravings in a guilt-free way.

Tips for Cooking Spaghetti Squash Perfectly

The first hurdle for many newcomers to spaghetti squash is often figuring out the best way to cook it. While there are several methods, the goal is always tender, easily shreddable strands. Here are a few popular and effective ways:

• Microwave Method (Quick & Easy): This is the method used in the Skinnytaste recipe and is fantastic for speed. Pierce the squash several times, then microwave it whole, turning halfway through, until the shell yields to pressure. This makes it much easier to cut and scoop.
• Baking/Roasting Method (Enhanced Flavor): Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast cut-side down on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 30-45 minutes, or until tender. This method can deepen the squash’s natural flavor.
• Instant Pot Method (Fast & Steamed): Cut the squash in half (or rings), remove seeds, add a cup of water to your Instant Pot, place squash on a trivet, and cook on high pressure for 7-10 minutes, followed by a natural release.

Once cooked and cooled slightly, simply use a fork to scrape the flesh from the shell, and voilà—you have beautiful, spaghetti-like strands ready for your sauce!

Crafting the Perfect Turkey Bolognese: Flavor Without the Guilt

The star of this dish, alongside the spaghetti squash, is undoubtedly the rich and savory Turkey Bolognese. Unlike traditional bolognese, which often uses fattier cuts of meat and can be quite heavy, Gina Homolka’s version utilizes lean ground turkey, making it significantly lighter without sacrificing any of the comforting depth of flavor. The inclusion of pancetta adds a fantastic initial layer of savory richness, while a classic soffritto base of onion, celery, and carrots builds a robust foundation for the sauce.

The process of building this bolognese is simple yet effective:

1. Sautéing the Aromatics: Starting with pancetta, then butter, and slowly cooking down the onion, celery, and carrot ensures a sweet and aromatic base.
2. Browning the Turkey: Lean ground turkey is browned and seasoned, adding essential protein and flavor. Breaking it up finely helps integrate it seamlessly into the sauce.
3. Deglazing and Simmering: White wine deglazes the pan, capturing all the flavorful bits. Tomato paste, milk, crushed tomatoes, and a bay leaf are then added, creating a rich liquid that will simmer into a luscious sauce. The slow simmer is crucial here, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully.

This careful layering of ingredients results in a bolognese that is incredibly satisfying, full of umami, and wonderfully balanced. It’s a sauce that clings perfectly to the delicate strands of spaghetti squash, ensuring every bite is packed with deliciousness.

The Skinnytaste Philosophy: Making Healthy Eating a Joy

Gina Homolka’s Skinnytaste blog and The Skinnytaste Cookbook have revolutionized how many of us approach healthy cooking. What sets Skinnytaste apart is its unwavering commitment to lightened-up versions of comfort food classics, never compromising on taste or satisfaction. Gina proves that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or feeling deprived. Instead, it’s about making smart swaps, incorporating more vegetables, and using lean proteins, all while ensuring the end result is something truly delicious that the whole family will love.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend exploring The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor. It’s an invaluable resource filled with recipes that are perfect for everyday meals, offering innovative ways to enjoy your favorite foods in a healthier way. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, Gina’s recipes are designed to fit seamlessly into a healthy lifestyle without feeling restrictive.

A Family-Friendly Meal: Even the Little Ones Approve!

One of the best tests for any recipe is its appeal to children. I’m delighted to report that this Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese passes with flying colors! My little one absolutely loved it, which is always a joy to see, especially when introducing new and healthy foods. It’s at this fun age that children are often more open to trying different textures and flavors, and the combination of mild spaghetti squash with a rich, slightly sweet bolognese proved to be a winner.

This recipe truly is a keeper, one that I will be making again and again for my family. The balance of flavor, texture, and nutritional value makes it an ideal weeknight meal that everyone can look forward to. And the versatility of spaghetti squash means it can be adapted to many other sauces and flavor profiles, as I’ve explored in the past with recipes like Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Vegetable Ragu, Turkey Spinach Meatballs, and even a unique Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash recipe. The possibilities are truly endless once you master this wonderful vegetable.

Beyond Bolognese: Exploring More Skinnytaste Delights

When I first received Gina’s cookbook, deciding on which recipe to try first was genuinely a delightful challenge. The book is brimming with so many tantalizing options that cater to every craving and dietary need. After making this fantastic Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese, my appetite for more Skinnytaste creations has only grown. I’m already eager to dive into other mouth-watering dishes like Corny Banana Blueberry Pancakes, Chicken Marsala on the Lighter Side, and Bangin’ Good Shrimp and Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls. These are just a few examples of the culinary treasures awaiting discovery within its pages, each promising a light yet flavor-packed experience.

This recipe for Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese has certainly earned its spot as a permanent fixture in our meal rotation. It perfectly encapsulates everything we love about healthy home cooking: it’s satisfying, nutritious, and incredibly tasty. It’s a testament to the fact that eating well can be an enjoyable and flavorful journey.

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Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese {Cookbook Giveaway}

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  Author: Aggie’s Kitchen
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  Yield: serves 6
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  Category: Ground Turkey
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  Method: Stove/Oven

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Skinnytaste Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese is hearty, light and delicious and will be loved by everyone at your table.

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Ingredients

• 2 ounces pancetta, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 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
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3/4 cup 1% milk
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 medium spaghetti squash
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven, saute the pancetta over medium heat until the fat melts, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the butter, onion, celery and carrot and cook until soft, 5-6 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the turkey and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Cook until no longer pink, 7-8 minutes, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon. Add the wine and cook until reduced, 2-3 minutes. Add the tomato paste, milk, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile using a sharp knife, pierce the squash 8 or 9 time. Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Turn the squash and cook until the shell is tender, 5-8 minutes depending on the size. Let cool for 5 minutes. Half the squash lengthwise. (There should be no resistance, but if there is, microwave it a few more minutes.) Remove the seeds and use a fork to scrape out the spaghetti-like strands of squash.
3. Remove and discard bay leaf; stir in the basil. To serve, put 1 cup spaghetti squash in each of 6 serving bowls and top each with a generous 3/4 cup of sauce.

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Notes

Nutrition information per 1 cup squash + 3/4 cup sauce serving:  301 calories / 12g fat / 23g carbohydrate / 5g fiber / 25g protein / 9g sugars

Recipe from The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Homolka

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