Wild Game Spaghetti with Zucchini Noodles

2017-07-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

I love to cook. But there are some nights where we're just plain busy. Or, honestly, I don't feel like putting forth that much effort. When my husband is home, there aren't as many nights like that. He helps a lot. He doesn't mind getting dinner started for me if there's something going on. But when he's gone... they're much more frequent.
Last night was one of those nights. I got asked to play in a slow pitch game; which if you know me, I can't say no to. I had thought our season was finished, but to my excitement, and dinner's dismay, there was a game right at dinner time.
I don't prefer to ear prior, so I like to be able to make something quick after. One of my son, Hunter's, favorite quick dinners is (insert wild game) spaghetti. I make another version, with homemade meatballs, and the occasional homemade sauce. But on nights like these, we shoot for convenience.

Enter: Elk Spaghetti with "Zoodles"

Trust me when I say: it tastes a lot better than it looks. Plus it's no only quick, it's also a great way to have a filling meal without all the weight of the noodles. The first time I cooked with "zoodles" instead of actual noodles, I was admittedly scared. How good could "zucchini noodles" really taste?! The truth is, you hardly notice. The best part about all of it is how easy they really are.

All you need is:

One larger zucchini (shoutout to my brother for giving me one from his garden!)
Your favorite pasta sauce
Half of an onion; diced
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh ground pepper- to taste
Sea salt- to taste
1 lb of lean ground meat (we used elk in this version)
Mandolin slicer with Julienne attachment (or something similar; you could even cut the zucchini yourself)

In a pan, place approximately a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and your diced onion. Sauté the onions in oil for a few minutes, then add your choice of meat.

Whole yourbinions and meat cook, slice your zucchini into "spaghetti" slices. This is where a mandolin slicer is so incredibly hand! I just love using it. It has so many other little handy uses, and for someone who loooves uniform slices, it's the best.

Once you've sliced your desired amount of "zoodles" add them to a pan with a dash of extra virgin olive oil cooking on a low/medium heat- I like doing this just to tender them up a bit prior to adding the sauce + meat mixture in.

While your "zoodles" soften up, check on your ground meat. If it's done, add in your sauce, and let that continue to simmer.

Once your sauce + meat mixture is done, and your "zoodles" are softened, add everything together. It's important to not let your zucchini get TOO soft prior to incorporating the sauce. The best result is when you're able to let the zucchini finish cooking in the meat + sauce mixture.

Once you've added everything together (your meat + sauce + "zoodles") let them simmer together until your zucchini reaches your desired tenderness. After that, viola! Quick healthy dinner ready in 30 minutes or less. If you don't own a mandolin slicer, or something similar, this may take longer. I had originally thought that owning one meant it would sit in my cupboard, begging to be used but never finding many opportunities. However, I've been pleasantly wrong!

There's another awesome pasta replacement you can use zucchini for, called lasagna roll ups. As fall approaches and zucchinis become ample, I'll be sure to put that up as well.

Thanks for stopping by!

#momchronicles

A first for everything.

2017-07-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome!
If you've chosen to view my blog, then thank you. Whether it was the expectation of good food, or whitty words, I appreciate you stopping by.
Let's be honest: I am technologically... lacking. Ha! So this will be an adventure for me, and a way for me to stretch outside my comfort zone. It will also allow me to post shamelessly about my kids and food. Win, win in my book! The life of a working mom of two, and the wife of an active duty sailor pulls me into many different directions. As well as many different versions of myself. We are constantly on the move- in many different senses of the word.
So follow me on an this adventure; there are sure to be many hills, speed bumps, laughter, and learning curves.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Kathy P

TheMomChronicles

Wild Game Spaghetti with Zucchini Noodles

A first for everything.