I LOVE pasta! Unfortunately pasta does not love me in return. I always feel bloated and heavy after indulging in my Italian favorites. Zucchini noodles are my go to when I want pasta but not feeling like dealing with the effects. This meal is so very easy and leaves me satisfied and guilt free.
Shopping List:
1 pound of ground meat (I used hamburger for the meal pictured)
1 pound of spiraled zucchini (or 2 large zucchinis if you would like to spiral yourself)
1 jar of pasta sauce
cooking oil (I use olive oil)
8 slices of wheat bread (for optional crouton topping)
Italian seasoning (for optional crouton topping)
Prep Time: None*
Cook Time: about 15 minutes
Instructions:
Start by browning the meat over medium heat. Once cooked through, drain the fat and place back in the pan over low heat. Add the pasta sauce of your choice and let simmer.
Next cook the zucchini noodles over medium heat in a sauce pan. Sauté the zoodles in about a tablespoon of oil for 7 to 10 minutes or until the zoodles are cooked to your desired firmness. Drain any excess water before plating.
*If you are preparing your own spiraled zucchini, you will need to plan on prepping that. You will also need to look into a spiraling tool. My brother uses this Veggetti, and I have this Spiral Slicer for when I feel like spiraling my own zoodles.
Optional Crouton Topping
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Instructions:
These Italian seasoned croutons are the perfect addition to a zoodle bowl. As a carb lover, I can't quit garlic bread cold turkey. These croutons offer just enough of the seasoned goodness I am looking for in an Italian dish side. Plus if you have a loaf of bread that is about to go bad, this is a perfect way to avoid wasting it!
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prep the bread by cutting the slices into cubes. You can go as small or large as you would like; I prefer to cut each piece into 9 cubes. Toss the bread in cooking oil. You will want to use enough to cover the bread but not soak it in oil. (It sounds odd, but I just cover my hands in oil then toss the bread around. This technique pretty evenly covers the cubes.) Spread the oiled bread cubes on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and sprinkle Italian seasoning over the batch. Bake for 10 minutes, flipping the croutons halfway through. Depending on your oven, you might need more or less time, so keep an eye as to not burn the bread.
Top the zoodles with the pasta meat sauce and the croutons. I told you this meal is super easy!
My bowl comes in at just about 400 calories:
the entire cooked pound of zucchini noodles
1 cup of the meat pasta sauce
1 ounce of the cooked croutons
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