Do you ever get stuck in a rut when it comes to coming up with fresh new ideas for healthy weeknight dinners? Me too! I think we all do sometimes, because it’s so easy to rely on the same “tried & true” dinners week after week. But I sure do love it when I find a moment of weeknight inspiration and end up with something super healthy and satisfying that the whole family enjoys! Sound like an impossible combination? Check out this recipe for Zoodle Bolognese. My husband loved it, my girls gobbled it up, and I smiled the whole time knowing that this dinner was made from 100% whole food ingredients, LOADED with veggies, low in carbs, high in protein, and only took me about 20 minutes to prepare. Zoodles for the WIN!

Oh, and one more super secret mom tip for you if you think your kids may turn their noses up at zucchini noodles…enlist their help with spiralizing the zucchini! Kids are much more likely to be excited about trying new things if they’ve helped to prepare them, especially if it involves the spiralizer! Spiralizing is super fun…just turn the crank and these gorgeous, long noodle shaped pieces come pouring out. My kids actually aren’t huge zucchini fans in general, but when we turn it into zoodles (zucchini noodles), I often catch them snacking on the raw zoodles while they’re helping me in the kitchen. And, they’re usually excited to see their creation in the final product as well, thus, more likely to try the dinner!

Don’t have a spiralizer yet? It has to be one of my most favorite kitchen tools (next to my blender), and is such a fun way to create healthier versions of some favorite comfort foods, like Spaghetti Bolognese! It is an inexpensive tool (about $30 on Amazon) that you will absolutely love!

Zoodle Bolognese
Cook and Prep Time: About 20 Min
Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 TBSP olive oil, divided

1 C diced yellow onion (about ½ med. onion)

4 cloves minced garlic, divided

1 lb ground turkey

1 pkg frozen chopped spinach (defrosted and squeezed dry)

4 medium zucchini

1 jar organic marinara sauce

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet
2. Add diced onion and 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté until translucent
3. Add ground turkey and season with salt and pepper. Cook this mixture until turkey is browned and cooked through.
4. While turkey is browning (stirring occasionally), prepare zoodles by spiralizing all 4 zucchini, and set aside.
5. When turkey is browned, add the spinach and mix to combine. Make sure the spinach has been squeezed dry before adding to the skillet.
6. Pour marinara sauce into the turkey mixture and bring to a simmer
7. In a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and add remaining garlic.
8. Add zoodles to the oil and garlic, and cook (using tongs to toss and coat the zoodles with the oil and garlic) for about 2-3 min, or until the zoodles are just tender.
9. Season zoodles with salt and pepper
10. Place zoodles in 4 pasta bowls, top with Bolognese sauce, and enjoy!