Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

 

I'm not usually one for mixing up my spaghetti traditions.  I like the good old fashioned noodles and Original Ragu sauce.  Yum.  So when weight Watchers suggested I swap out the pasta for the squash, I was skeptical.  I had tried a squash recipe before and was not thrilled.  But, in an effort to do well on my 6 week summer challenge, I made another go of it.  And, wouldn't you know, it was tasty.  :)  LOW in points and very filling.  Downside, it does take some know-before-you-eat planning to cook the squash.

So - here you go.

Ingredients:
Spaghetti squash. (plan on about 1.3 lbs a person. Don't worry, you will not have to eat 1.3 lbs of squash yourself! It cooks down)
1 LB ground turkey
1 cup Spaghetti sauce of your choice (plus extra if desired)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp sage
1/2 tsp salt
pepper

Directions:
Heat oven to 375.  Cut squash in half, scrape out seeds, and put in oven for 45-60 mins or until soft.
--after that's been cooking a while, start the sauce --

Mix all herbs together with ground turkey.  Cook turkey until done.  Add 1 cup of sauce to turkey.  Heat up the rest of the sauce separately if you desire a more saucy pasta.

When squash is done, remove from oven and use a fork to pull squash away from sides.  The squash will naturally separate into a "noodle" like consistency.

Serve "noodles" with meat and sauce immediately, with a loaf of bread or a side of broccoli.  A little parmesan cheese can add some additional flavor too!

Squash = 0 Plus Points
Ragu Sauce = 3 points for 1/2 cup
Turkey = 3 points for 4 oz

One Pan Chicken, Beans & Tots

This was a very quick meal that I found on Pinterest and made last minute.  And, to my delight, it was scrumptious.  Easy and Scrumptious? Now that is my kind of dinner.

Ingredients: You'll want to judge your quantities based on how many you are cooking for. My family of 2 eaters isn't a good measurement.

Ingredients
Chicken pieces
Green Beans (canned or fresh)
Potatoes
4 TBS Butter (less if you're watching your calories)
Italian Dressing Seasoning Packet

Directions
Pre Heat oven to 350 degrees

Place raw chicken in center of a greased 9x13 pan.  Wash and cut potatoes and place on one side. (Peeling is optional, as you can see, I didn't). Dump the beans on the other side.

Melt butter and pour over everything. The recipe actually asks for a whole stick, but I used half.  I'm sure even less would have been fine.

Sprinkle the seasoning packet over the meal.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour or until chicken and potatoes are done.

Serve immediately with a roll and/or Rice. Yummo!