Hi friends! Happy Saturday!! How’s your weekend going so far??
I don’t know about you guys, but I almost always suffer from a bit of post-vacation blues when a trip that I’ve been looking forward to is over! I had such a great time in Vegas with my family this week, but now I miss them.
The old me would have totally self-soothed with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a hefty portion of good old-fashioned comfort food. Instead, I’ve decided to cope by coming up with a healthy alternative to one of my favorite comfort meals: Mac n’ Cheese!
What I love about this detox version, is that it’s SOOOOOO simple. So simple, in fact, I’m not even sure it qualifies as a “recipe!”
Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
(serves 1-2, depending on your appetite)
2 yellow squash, peeled (zucchini squash also works great!)
2 ounces of raw goat cheddar
Garlic Powder
Salt (Himalayan pink crystals are my favorite)
Directions:
Prepare your squash “noodles” using a spiralizer (this is the one I have):
Note: If you don’t have a spiralizer, you could use a vegetable peeler to make fettucinni-like noodles, or even use a grater (or salad shooter) to make a shredded “pasta!” Once you’ve got your noodles, roughly chop them (to make them more elbow-like).
Next, throw your pasta in a skillet with a splash of water to keep them from sticking.
Season with a generous pinch of salt and garlic powder, and toss over medium heat until tender (about 3-5 minutes).
These noodles tend to release a bit of water during cooking, so drain well after cooking:
Return drained noodles to the hot skillet, toss with 2 ounces of shredded raw goat cheddar, and season with additional salt and pepper, as desired. (Paprika or turmeric would also be nice for a touch of color, too!)
Serve piping hot!
Mmm, mmm, good.
And definitely a cleaner version than the neon-orange-colored box stuff!
If you can’t get your hands on raw goat cheddar, pasteurized goat cheese would work great as well! Goat cheese is easier to digest than cow’s milk, making it more detox-friendly, but feel free to use any type of cheese you like. And go wild with toppings! Next time, I think I’ll throw in some cooked cherry tomatoes or asparagus!
I’ve actually been enjoying this stuff the past two nights in a row, and have tried it with both yellow squash and zucchini noodles. I actually think I prefer the taste of the zucchini noodles, but they do lend a greenish-color to the dish… which may not appeal to others.
Hope you guys try it the next time you get a mac n’ cheese craving!! It also makes an awesome side dish anytime!
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Okay, I’m off to be lazy with the husband and Yasha. Happy weekend!!
Speaking of comfort food: Don’t forget, tomorrow is your LAST chance to win a batch of raw macaroons!!
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I’ve been craving mac and cheese like crazy lately! I’ll have to try this one tomorrey night
Enjoy your lazy day!
I love mac n cheese, and this looks delicious! I have had zucchini noodles with marinara, so I didn’t notice the green too much while eating it, and I’m not sure if that will bother me too much!
yum!!!!!
I need a spiralizer. I love zucchini “noodles.”
I need to find that goat cheese. I don’t do well with dairy but I LOVE cheese.
Shut.The.Front.Door! I need to find this goat cheese so I can make this freaking meal! Mac n cheese is an old time fave of mine….with ketchup. Of course now, I wouldn’t rock the ketchup, but you get the picture!
This looks so yummy!
I hear ya, I always get post vacay blues. Good news is, you can do it again!
Have a snuggly day!
xxoo
I think those ‘noodles’ are better than the traditional noodles. I really enjoy cooking them so they are somewhat firm. I never even thought to use cheese instead of marinara. Great recipe idea!!
That mac and cheese looks amazing! It’s been so long since I’ve had it, and I think I just may be able to make this recipe work for me! (I’m lactose intolerant, which isn’t always fun.)
hey! just found your blog and im loving it! totally can relate to your story. look forward to reading
[...] Detox Comfort Food [...]
I notice that you eat goat cheese and it’s listed under the detoxifying foods. Why is goat cheese detoxifying? I’m dairy free, but wondering if maybe goat cheese wouldn’t have the same lactose-intolerance affects of cow dairy?
I wouldn’t say that goat cheese “detoxifying,” but it also doesn’t ruin most people’s efforts when attempting to detox– when eaten with water containing vegetables, and in appropriate food combinations.
Goat cheese does contain less lactose and casein protein than cow’s dairy, and it’s protein molecules are smaller, making it much easier to digest. Many people who are lactose-intolerant have been known to tolerate goat’s dairy, but it depends on the individual.
Hope that helps!