Quick and Easy Spaghetti Squash Paleo Dinner

Last week I told you about my new lifestyle change using the Real Life Paleo book. In just one short week, I’ve lost 3 pounds! It’s been relatively easy. After three days of no grains, dairy or sugar, I did have a few headaches, but I just upped my water intake (with lemon or grapefruit essential oil) and I was good to go! I also had fun coming up with my Paleo dinner each day.

About my Paleo Dinner

With my new lifestyle change, I am starting to eat things I’ve never made or eaten before. One of those things is spaghetti squash. It’s always been one of those things that I thought was rather weird. However, my family really likes to eat spaghetti and well…on my new lifestyle change, I can’t eat pasta noodles. So I decided to make a swap…spaghetti squash for pasta.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Quickly

Since I had never cooked spaghetti squash before, I watched a few YouTube videos and asked my friends for the best way to make spaghetti squash. I got a bunch of different ways that used the oven. But then I came across a YouTube video that talked about making it in the microwave. That was right up my alley (though next time I do want to make it in the oven).

Steps

1. Pick up your spaghetti squash at the store. I learned, throughout all of my spaghetti squash research, that you want a spaghetti squash that is heavy and when you knock on it, it’s loud. <–I will say, they all sound the same to me!
2. Peel off the stickers. Don’t do what I did the first time I made the spaghetti squash!
3. Make 8-10 slits in the squash with a knife. DO THIS! You do NOT want to clean up your microwave after a spaghetti squash explodes inside of it!
4. Put the squash into a microwave safe dish and cover it with microwave safe plastic wrap. On high, cook the spaghetti squash for 6 minutes. After those 6 minutes, carefully unwrap the plastic wrap (there will be A LOT of steam), flip the squash back over, recover and cook for another 6 minutes. If the spaghetti squash slightly dents in when you touch it, it’s ready. If not, cook for an additional minute or two.
5. Remove the spaghetti squash from the microwave and let it sit for a minute before cutting the end with the stem off. Then, using a sharp knife, slice the spaghetti squash in half, long ways (hot dot style…remember that from elementary school?!?).
6. Gently scoop out the seeds and then using a fork, start at one end of the squash and pull towards you. You will start to see long, stringy pieces starting to form.

Everyone told me that you need to heavily season it, etc…I personally don’t think you do. I like it the way it is or with a little salt and pepper. You can use this squash in a variety of ways. Eat it as is, use it in place of pasta noodles, in stir-fry, etc.

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I’m pretty excited about this new lifestyle change. The Real Life Paleo book has a lot of different recipes that I am excited to try. But most of all, I am so happy that I no longer feel bloated after meals. Definitely check out that book!!

What is your favorite Paleo dinner?