We have been trying to improve our health by reducing fats and refined foods in our diet.
Tonight’s dinner did both and tasted wonderful—Italian meat sauce over zucchini pasta!
I started by browning a pound of chicken Italian sausage in my cast iron skillet.
By using seasoned cast iron, I don’t have to add fat to the pan like I do with my other pans.
Just before adding chopped the chopped vegetables,
I deglaze the pan with a couple tablespoons of chicken broth.
I always have onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in my pantry or fridge
so that is what I chopped and added to the sausage.
The veggies have enough moisture in them that I can lower the temperature,
put a lid on the pan and they will steam until tender.
When the carrots are tender, add a can of drained diced tomatoes and a can of tomato sauce.
Stir in herbs. I add dried basil, oregano, marjoram, and parsley as well as salt and pepper.
Cover and let simmer for at least 15 minutes or longer until the rest of dinner is ready.
I have seen a lot of advertisements for the tools that will make your veggies into pasta,
and last week I found one in the store. This particular one is called a Veggetti.
I used it to turn zucchini into pasta.
I washed the zucchini and trimmed the ends. Then using the Veggetti according to the directions,
I spiral cut the zucchini into pasta strings. After I had cut three 6-inch zucchini,
I rinsed them in cold water and then blanched them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Drain the zucchini in the colander just like you would pasta.
Place the zucchini in a pasta bowl or on a plate, cover with meat sauce and garnish,
if desired, with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Here is my recipe for this dish:
Italian Meat Sauce with Zucchini Pasta
1 pound bulk chicken Italian sausage
Chicken broth, to deglaze pan
1 large onion,diced
1/4 pound baby carrots, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 – 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 – 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon each dried basil, dried oregano, dried marjoram, and dried parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cook as directed above and enjoy!
I love cooking good food for my family and
being able to make healthy food that tastes good is really important to me.
I hope you will try this recipe!
Good food (and the recipes) is a wonderful way to share my heart for home!
Pam