Healthy Crock Pot Ideas

First off I found this idea on www.verywell.com/creatives-ways-to-use-your-slow-cooker-1087872 written by Lisa Lillien aka - Hungry Girl on 4 creative ways to use your slow cooker. I personally am interested in the cooking entire spaghetti squash and the cook up crust less pie. Besides the crock pot she gives some other ways to cook up the spaghetti squash (see article below). I am going to try two different methods as I bought two of these vegetables over the weekend (must have been ESP or something). One of the methods will be the slow cooker and the other may be the microwave. I am so looking forward to giving these a try. I would love to hear if any of you have cooked the spaghetti squash and used for noodles utilizing one of these methods below.

y Lisa Lillien, a.k.a. Hungry Girl
Updated June 20, 2016Spaghetti squash is the perfect pasta swap that's completely natural. Once cooked, you can scrape out the noodle-like strands, which are remarkably similar in color, width, and texture to regular spaghetti. It can be a little daunting to prepare, though, so I’m giving you a step-by-step guide to making healthy meals with spaghetti squash. Trust me, it’s worth it.
First Things First: Why Spaghetti Squash? The biggest advantage to using spaghetti squash instead of regular pasta?
It’s much lower in calories. One cup of cooked spaghetti has about 210 calories. The same amount of cooked spaghetti squash strands, on the other hand, has just 42 calories. Add a cup of spaghetti squash to a cup of spaghetti, and you'll double your portion but add only around 40 calories. Or you could have three cups of spaghetti squash for just over 120 calories.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not.
P.S. Cauliflower is another good starch swap/meal expander.
Step 1: Choose a Cooking Method
Before you turn your squash into noodles, you’ve gotta cook it until the inside is tender. Most people cook spaghetti squash in the oven, but I've also got a fast microwave method and an easy slow-cooker method.
Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Microwave squash for 6 minutes, or until it’s soft enough to cut. Once cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard seeds.
Then, fill a large baking pan with half an inch of water, and place squash halves in the pan, cut sides down. Bake squash until tender, about 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s finished when you can easily pierce a fork all the way through the flesh. Be careful not to overcook — if you do, the texture will be off.


Microwave instructions: Microwave squash for 6 minutes, or until it’s soft enough to cut. Once it’s cool enough to handle, halve lengthwise, then scoop out and discard seeds. Place half the squash in an extra-large microwave-safe bowl, cut side down and add 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook for 7 minutes, or until soft. Repeat with other half.
Slow cooker instructions: Prefer to set it and forget it? Use a slow cooker. Place the whole squash in a slow cooker (4-qt. capacity is best), and add half a cup of water. Cover and cook on high for 2 and a half hours, or until squash is tender (check on the squash after 2 hours — if it’s small, it might be finished). Then, cut it in half, and scoop out and discard seeds.
Step 2: Turn the Squash into Spaghetti Noodles
Once cooked, use a fork to scrape out the spaghetti strands from the squash halves. Place in a strainer to drain excess moisture. Thoroughly blot dry — there will be a lot of moisture. The more liquid you remove, the better your pasta swap will taste.


Don't forget to experiment with other low-carb pasta swaps.
Step 3: Make it into a Meal
While you can definitely use spaghetti squash as a side dish (just add a bit of light butter and salt!), it makes an amazing main attraction. Here's one Hungry Girl favorite:
Spaghetti Swap & Meatballs. Let’s start with a classic! You can’t go wrong with homemade spaghetti sauce, lean meatballs, and a big mound of noodles.
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I did end up trying the microwave and the crock pot tonight. First the crock pot is definitely easier and I think it works better but in a pinch the microwave will work too. For the microwave I put it in whole around 6 to 7 minutes, cut it in 1/2 & then upside down in water / flavored oil to try and add flavor. I then cooked each 1/2 by themselves for another 5 minutes.

The first two photos are from the microwave version and the 3rd picture is from the crock pot. They are both very, very hot so handle with caution.

The final picture is the yummy meal I made with spaghetti squash. Scallions in a white wine & Parmesan reduction sauce.