Quick Meat Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

So a few weeks ago Autumn and I went to a farmer’s market a few miles away from my dad’s house, where we are staying. We picked up a few things, but the big hit of the day was the honey we picked up.

She sampled a few kinds and picked out the kind that liked the most and every few days I give her a big spoonful of the local honey. It’s a special, healthy treat that is great for preventing allergies here.

Well, last night she asked for ‘her bear’ and I gave her a bit of the honey on a spoon. She asked for a bit more and I gave in since the first bit was not that much. And then trouble happened. She started to lose some off the side of the spoon, but she caught it in her hand. She was so proud of herself! And then while she licked it off her hand, she spilled it on the floor, and as the dog pounced to lick it up, she continued to spill it on their heads.

So the dogs enjoyed the honey off the floor and off each other’s heads. le sigh

And that just about summaries my life.

In other news, we are about half way done with Whole30 and it’s been great. I mean, I’ve eaten too many Lara Bars for my own good but no cheating yet so ya know, whatever.

My dad has been enjoying all the food that I have been making so much that he has been taking pictures of it and sharing the meals on FB. It’s cute/awesome.

One of the meals that he dove into before taking a photo of was this faux pasta dish made of zucchini noodles that I topped off with a big heaping of a quick meat sauce.

It’s perfection. You don’t miss the pasta, nor the cheese. (at least that is what I tell myself!)

Take the time to finely dice/mince/attack with a knife all of the vegetables. It makes for a nicely textured sauce. Don’t be lay about it. It’s actually rather quick, but I am emphasizing it to make sure you actually make those pieces itty bitty.

I kinda have a secret… I don’t really like zucchini noodles or  zoodles or whatever you call them. I think they are bland as hell. And quickly get soggy, but I will eat them in this one dish.

So I know that some people hate calling zucchini noodles zoodles, but I don’t care either way. Call them green and white veggie noodles for all I care. I actually don’t care so feel free to call them that.

I only care that you just make this. It doesn’t matter if you are doing Paleo or Whole30 or whatever, just make it!

Quick Meat Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Cups minced carrot (I needed 2)
• 1 Cup minced red onion (about half of an onion)
• 3/4 Cup minced celery (I used 2 stalks)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound ground meet (10/90)
• 1/4 Cup red wine vinegar
• 1 20 ounce jar of tomato sauce*

• 6 to 12 zucchinis (depends on size), cut the ends off to create level surfaces

Process

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil until it just shimmers. Add the garlic, and stir frequently for a minute.
2. Add the carrot, red onion, and celery. Saute for 12-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are completely softened. Add the red pepper flake, pepper, and salt; mix well.
3. Add the ground beef and break it up into small pieces while you brown it.
4. When the ground beef is just about cooked through, add the red wine vinegar and the jarred sauce. Simmer for a least 5 minutes.
5. As the sauce simmers, spiralize your zucchinis.
6. Just prior to serving, warm and soften the zucchini noodles in a dry skillet over medium heat. You just want to soften the zucchini noodles!
7. Serve the noodles with a the meat sauce on top! Dig in!

 

* Make sure your sauce is compliant if you are doing Whole30!