PALEO PESTO SPAGHETTI SQUASH

I am always drooling over pasta recipes that are all over Pinterest but I also know I have a wedding dress to fit in, in 7 months. So with that being said, I was on the mission for a good spaghetti squash recipe that would involve my favorite herb, basil! I luckily just stumbled on this recipe on the blog, bigeatslittlekitchen.  I don’t necessarily follow the Paleo diet but I think this recipe is fabulous!

              Paleo Pesto Spaghetti Squash

                                                                                               adapted from BigEatsLittleKitchen

           (makes 5 servings)

   2 packs of Chicken Sausage ( I used Basil Pesto and sundried tomato 

                                   from Trader Joes)

            2 small spaghetti squash

   

                        20 or so Grape Tomatoes, left whole

         ½ cup cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes or more

               Onion

           Mushrooms

                                                Package of basil

                        Parmesan Cheese (optional and makes it not pale)

                                                          Salt

  

                                                       Paprika

                                                   Red Pepper

                                                      Fennel

                                                

                                                 Black Pepper

                                                           The ingredients

Before placing the spaghetti squash in the microwave, you must poke holes all over the squash. I usually place the spaghetti squash in the oven for about 10 minutes. I know it is ready if it is soft to the touch. Then BE EXTREMELY careful because this is one HOT Squash! I usually let it sit for 10 minutes or so before I cut into it. 

While the squash is in the microwave I begin cooking the chicken sausage. About one link is a serving size. 

Then I start with my vegetables. I like to really sauté these veggies together! I usually dice up the garlic and spray the pan first. After I add the onions, sauté a little, then add the mushrooms and tomatoes!

Now that everything is cooking, it is time to make this deliciously creamy pesto sauce. I had previously soaked the cashews for about 30 minutes. Then I add the cashews to the blender. I pour it with the water it has been soaking with. My blender is not the best! Then I add red pepper, LOTS of basil, pepper, salt, paprika, and if you'd like 1 tbsp of oil. If you want to skip the oil, you can add a tbsp of water instead! I happened to have Basil Olive Oil from this cute little oil shop in Old Town Alexandria called Olio! It is adorable! I think this oil is delicious!

Blend everything together and taste the sauce. You may need to adjust spices accordingly! I had to add my dash of salt here.

Now back to the chicken sausage. I love that charred taste on my sausage so what I like to do is I cook the sausage until it is almost done. Take it off the stove and then cut it into pieces. This helps to ensure that delicious grill taste! I did sprinkle a dash of fennel here.

Then when I have cooked both the squashes in the microwave, I let it sit for about 10 minutes. I cut the squash lengthwise. I scoop out all the seeds and then scrape the "spaghetti" out of the squash. 

Place all the ingredients in one big pot that is big enough to mix everything together. 

After I add the sauce and mix everything together.  Doesn't that look yummy!!

I'm Italian so I think everything that is even close to being pasta related needs to be garnished with parmesan cheese. However, this does make this dish not Paleo. So, if you're trying to stick to the Paleo lifestyle, then I wouldn't add the cheese! 

This dish is one of my new favorites! Paul even gave it the thumbs up too! 

Enjoy,

xoxo Lyss