Category: Mains

Healthy & Gluten Free Meatloaf

Meatloaf

During my weight loss journey, I’m modifying my recipes to meet my better eating habits. This healthy and delicious gluten free meatloaf is made with a leaner mixture of meat, finely chopped veggies and a homemade low sugar ketchup. The ingredients are quick to put together and easy to prepare. The veggies help keep moisture in the meatloaf during reheating, so it doesn’t dry out. They also bring a hardier flavor to the dish. When you make this recipe, you will experience comfort food without the guilt.

Meatloaf requires a longer cooking time, so prepare to spend approx. 1.75 – 2 hours total on this specific meal prep (includes prep and cooking time).

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

Meatloaf:
1 pound 85/15 grass fed ground beef (any beef can be used)
1 pound ground turkey
1 cup chopped onion (1 inch pieces)
1 cup chopped carrots (1 inch pieces)
1 medium onion roughly cut
2-3 cloves of garlic (your preference, I used 2)
1 egg
1/2 cup of gluten free bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chili powder

Low Sugar Ketchup:
6 oz. can of tomato paste
1-2 tbsp raw honey (I used 1, but 2 will make it sweeter)
1 pinch salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ground beef, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1 egg and 1/2 cup of gluten free bread crumbs and set to side.
3. In a large food processor, chop the celery, carrots, garlic and onions into a fine texture. Add the veggie mixture into the large bowl.
4. Using a spoon or your hands, mix all the ingredients together.
5. Grease a loaf pan or narrow baking dish, then add the meatloaf mixture to the pan. Mold it, so the mixture is as even as possible once formed. Set to side.
6. Next, you’ll prepare your ketchup to go on top of the meatloaf. In a small saucepan, heat the raw honey and tomato paste over low heat. Stir occasionally. Once the honey melts and mixes with the tomato paste, add a small pinch of salt and stir once more.
7. Add the entire mixture to the top of the meatloaf and spread until the entire top is covered.
8. Place in the oven and cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. (Usually takes about an hour and a half on average)
9. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This recipe serves 6.

 

Inspire Me, Gluten FreeLeave a comment

Loaded Spaghetti Squash

66A36E81-1362-4975-A284-29023EB3BB43

This week I challenged myself to create three recipes using only 1 pound of meat. This was one of my creations and it is by far my favorite out of the three. This recipe can be created on it’s own or from leftover taco meat. Each serving is 330 calories (23g carbs, 21g protein). I use more cheese than I probably should in this dish, so if you want to cut down the amount of cheese, that can be customized! 

Not everyone is comfortable working with spaghetti squash, but it is one of my favorite squashes to work with! You may be wondering how I cut my spaghetti squash, I’ve shared my tips in the directions below. By following my suggestions, you will be able to cut your spaghetti squash with ease! 

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash (approx. 2.5-2.75 pounds)
1 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/2 pound ground turkey
1/2 gluten free taco seasoning packet
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/2 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1-2 pinches of salt
1-2 pinches of black pepper
Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 
  2. With a sharp knife or a fork, make slits or poke holes in the spaghetti squash. You just need a couple on each side. This will prevent the spaghetti squash from essentially exploding in the next step. 
  3. Microwave your spaghetti squash for 4-5 minutes. 
  4. Using a towel or oven mits, carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the microwave and place on a cutting board. Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half. I opted to cut “hamburger style,” because it creates longer stringy pieces once cooked. Cutting it long ways will create short strings. 
  5. Using a brush, coat the inside of the spaghetti squash and the rim with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  6. Place the spaghetti squash on a sheet pan upside down and cook for approx. 40 minutes. 
  7. Prepare your white rice and measure out 1/2 cup. Set to side. 
  8. Brown your ground turkey over medium heat. Once browned, add the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let cook for 5 minutes. 
  9. Remove the turkey meat from heat until the spaghetti squash is done. 
  10. Measure out your black beans, corn, red onion, tomato and jalapeño or bell pepper and place in a bowl. Set to side. 
  11. Measure out shredded cheese and set to side separately from mixture of veggies. 
  12. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Use a spatula to help flip the cooked squash onto a heat safe plate or cutting board. Using a heat barrier, like a towel, use a fork to begin scooping out the “spaghetti” strands of the squash. Place in separate bowl and put to the side. 
  13. Place the pan with the taco meat back on the burner with medium heat. Add the bowl containing the mixture of beans and veggies and 1/4 cup of water. DO NOT add cheese or spaghetti squash yet. 
  14. Once your veggies are heated through (you will hear sizzling), Add the spaghetti squash to the mixture. I recommend using tongs for this step since it doesn’t mix well. Add the shredded cheese. 
  15. The spaghetti squash and cheese should only be over heat for 3 minutes. Mix all ingredients together so that the cheese and seasonings are evenly spread throughout the dish. 
  16. Remove from heat and serve with chopped cilantro garnish. 

This recipe makes 4 servings. 

Inspire Me, Gluten FreeLeave a comment

Burrito Bowls

3656FB0C-2331-4E81-8519-617FB33EFE3A

This week I challenged myself to make three taco inspired recipes using only 1 pound of meat. This was one of those recipes! The filling for my zucchini boats calls for all of the same ingredients that are in the topping for my burrito bowl. This makes it easy to double the recipe and make both dishes at the same time! The burrito bowls are 181 calories a serving (28g carbs, 12g protein). I did not add any extra sauces or cheese to this dish, but it could easily be added.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1 1/2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 gluten free taco seasoning packet
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/4 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the taco meat by browning the ground turkey over medium heat.
2. Add seasoning packet and approx. 1/4 cup of water to browned turkey. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the taco meat from heat and place in a large bowl.
4. Add the black beans, corn, cooked rice, tomato and chopped jalapeño or bell pepper to the bowl.
5. Mix all ingredients until the taco seasoning from the meat is coated on all ingredients.
6. Place the chopped romaine lettuce into 4 separate containers. 
7. Divide the taco mixture between the 4 containers of lettuce or store separately, if not immediately serving.  
Please note: I recommend storing the taco mixture separately, because then you can warm up it up without ruining the lettuce. If you would like to consume the ingredients cold, you can assemble the bowls and store. If you like additional toppings, salsa, sour cream, cheese or guacamole can be added to this dish. 

This recipe serves 4. 

Inspire Me, Gluten FreeLeave a comment

Mexican Zucchini Boats

F86060D7-B336-478A-9303-ED7C41D80096

During my meal prep this week, I challenged myself to make 3 different recipes from one pound of ground turkey. Right now, times are tough and I am looking for ways to make food stretch for those on tight budgets! I instantly thought taco meat could be an excellent choice. This recipe is great, because you can make this by itself or with the other two recipes (Burrito Bowl or Loaded Mexican Spaghetti Squash). This recipe is 226 calories a serving (24g carbs and 13g protein).

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 gluten free taco seasoning packet
2 zucchini
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/4 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
pinch salt
pinch black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare the taco meat by browning the ground turkey over medium heat.
3. Add seasoning packet and approx. 1/4 cup of water to browned turkey. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the taco meat from heat and place in a large bowl. Set to side.
5. Prepare your zucchini by cutting off the ends and cutting the zucchini down the middle, long ways. You should have four long pieces of zucchini.
6. Scoop out the inside of the zucchini with a spoon. This will create a “boat” like appearance. Using a brush, spread olive oil on the inside of each zucchini. Season each piece with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Grab the bowl of taco meat and add the black beans, corn, cooked rice, tomato and chopped jalapeño or bell pepper to create the filling for your boats.
8. Mix all ingredients until the taco seasoning from the meat is coated on all ingredients.
9. Using a spoon, scoop the filling into each zucchini boat. This process may be a little messy. Push down the ingredients to maximize the amount of filling in each zucchini.
10. Place in oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, covered in foil.
11. Add shredded cheese to the top of each boat the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cook uncovered.

This recipe serves 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspire Me, Gluten FreeLeave a comment

Fiesta Stuffed Peppers

53F08B81-8CCA-4C0D-AA87-271F27957FEB

This fun take on stuffed peppers was created from hispanic influences. I LOVE tacos, but I always have leftover taco meat when I cook them. This recipe allowed me to utilize a leftover, while making a hardy meal that is quick, easy and takes very little effort! These stuffed peppers can also be prepared even if you don’t have leftover taco meat! That being said, unless you’re making 12 peppers, you won’t use a whole pound of meat. However, I have some awesome ideas for some additional taco inspired recipes that will be coming out in the next few days! Stay tuned…

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

6 bell peppers
1/2-1 lb. ground turkey or beef
1 gluten-free taco seasoning packet (low sodium when possible)
1 cup of cooked white rice
1/2 can of whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 can of black beans
1 cup of Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup of salsa or 1 diced tomato

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Rinse and cut the tops off of your 6 bell peppers. Remove seeds, so the inside of the peppers are hollow. Set to the side in a baking dish.
  3. Prep and begin cooking your white rice.
  4. While the rice is cooking, brown 1 lb. of meat, then follow directions provided on the back of the taco seasoning packet. You can also use leftover taco meat in place of this step.
  5. Once rice has finished cooking, measure 1 cup of cooked rice and place it in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Place 1/2 lb. of seasoned meat into the mixing bowl with the rice.
  7. Add 1/2 can of corn, 1/2 can of black beans, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and either 1/4 cup of salsa or 1 diced tomato to the mixing bowl.
  8. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
  9. Grab your baking dish with the hallow peppers and begin adding filling into each pepper. Push down ingredients lightly to maximize the amount of filling that is being placed in each pepper.
  10. Place the dish in the oven for 30 minutes covered with foil.
  11. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and add the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the tops of each pepper. Bake for another 5 minutes, uncovered.
  12. Remove and serve.

This recipe makes 6 servings.

Inspire Me, Gluten Free6 Comments

Healthy Greek Chicken

2177F804-B144-474C-AEDC-60E3144B15C6

I love Mediterranean flavors. This dish was inspired from a picture I saw on Pinterest. I came across the Greek Chicken and knew I had to try to make my own version of the recipe. I also make my own tzaziki sauce and felt I could pull inspiration from this recipe. The end result, yum! It turned out way better than I expected. This chicken can be eaten as a main or as an ingredient in a salad or bowl.

Let’s get started:

Ingredients

1 package of chicken breast (I used thin sliced)
1 cup of Greek yogurt
4-5 sprigs of dill chopped
1/2 lemon (squeezed for juice)
1-2 pinches salt
1 pinch black pepper

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a shallow Tupperware or ziplock bag. Evenly coat meat with marinade and place in fridge for 30-60 minutes.
2. The chicken can be cooked on a grill or in the oven. If you choose to cook the chicken in the oven, preheat to 375 degrees.
3. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Cooking time will vary based on the size and thickness of chicken.

This recipe serves 4.

Pro tip: When trimming your chicken breasts, it’s important to try and get your pieces as evenly in size as possible. This will allow for more even cooking times. Additionally, if you do not purchase thin sliced chicken breasts, they can be butterflied to have the same effect. The thinner the meat cuts, the faster the cooking time.

Inspire Me, Gluten FreeLeave a comment