I recently learned that I need to become gluten free. Being dairy free and sugar free were also highly recommended. I gave it a solid try for 6 weeks and it did make a pretty big difference in the way I felt. However, here’s the problem. Meijer has a limited quantity of foods that are dairy/sugar/gluten free, that also do not have artificial colors and preservatives and that don’t cost an arm and a leg. The larger problem might also be that I’m not a cook. Stouffer’s mac-n-cheese with some bacon, steamed spinach, and fresh diced tomatoes is was a go to dish for me. Turns out mac-n-cheese is not so much with the dairy and gluten free. Oh yes, and “regular” bacon has something called nitrates in it. When I went to gluten free blogs my brain exploded. I only have like 2 of the 10 ingredients listed!? So I decided to stop the mad research and start tiptoeing through this new land that is cooking.
And hey, 3 ingredients, 30 minutes, and a meal for 4? Easy and gluten/dairy/sugar free…hooray! So here it is…a simple Friday night dinner 
Ingredients: Spaghetti squash, jar of pasta sauce, ground turkey
I discovered that it is very, very difficult to find spaghetti sauce that doesn’t have sugar in it. I would have preferred organic, but they all had sugar in them. I know because I read ALL the labels. So “natural” sugar free it is! I also sometimes substitute ground chicken for the turkey.
1. Get a big knife. No wussy knives can be used here.
2. Cut the squash in two. Please ignore how unevenly I cut mine. Paul was watching (probably waiting for me to cut off a finger) and I got nervous.
3. Scoop all the seeds out…or guts as I call it. It’s the only kind of guts I’ll scoop.
4. Place in the oven at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
5. Don’t forget to put a bit of water in the bottom of the tray! I always forget. Then the squash sticks and I have a sad face.
6. Brown your meat and then add your sauce to simmer while the squash finishes cooking.
7. Test your squash with a fork. It should break into strands easily, but not be mushy.
8. Spaghetti! Well, sort of.
9. Plate. Take a picture of Paul’s plate. I’m not the dainty eater in this household.
10. The dressing we used. Also one of the very few “mainstream” dairy/sugar free brands I’ve been able to find. Plus, it’s for a good cause, right?
11. Post gratutitous photo of Izzy’s crazy ears.
12. EAT!
This is one of my favorite meals!! I love to can my spaghetti sauce in the fall so I know what’s in it. I never make enough though. I can’t wait until we start getting our fresh farm veggies!