Slow Cooker Turkey Spaghetti Over Zucchini Noodles

Alright, pasta lovers, it’s time to trade in those carb-heavy noodles for something that’s as light as your future self will feel after a few weeks of healthy eating: zucchini noodles! Trust me, once you go zucchini, you’ll never look back. Not only do you save on calories, but you’re also giving yourself a hearty serving of fiber, which is basically your digestive system’s best friend. Plus, we’re pairing them with a slow-cooked Slow Cooker Turkey Spaghetti sauce that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance!

So, what’s the magic formula here? Let’s break it down.

What You’ll Need to Make This Deliciously Healthy Dish:
Servings: 6 (because sharing is caring, right?)

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil (for that lovely, healthy base)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (the more, the garlic-er)
• 1 yellow onion, chopped (because onions make everything better)
• 1 fennel bulb, chopped (get fancy with this one!)
• 4 carrots, sliced (a little sweet crunch, you know?)
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (for that umami magic)
• ¼ cup chopped olives (because who doesn’t love olives?)
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes (hello, tomato goodness)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce (for that saucy action)
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste (to make it thick and hearty)
• ½ cup dry red wine (Cabernet, if you’re fancy)
• 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning (it’s like a trip to Italy in a jar)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (the ocean’s secret touch)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (bring on the flavor)
• ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika (for a little smoky sweetness)
• 1 pound ground turkey (the leaner, meaner protein)
• 6 zucchinis (because we’re all about those noodles!)
• ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped (for the garnish, baby)

How to Make This Healthy Spaghetti Dream Come True:

• The Prep Work: Heat up a skillet over medium heat and add your olive oil. Toss in the garlic, onions, and fennel, and let them cook for about 5 minutes until they get soft and fragrant—your kitchen will smell like a gourmet restaurant. Add the carrots and cover them up to let them cook for another 5 minutes. Then, take it off the heat. You’re done with the sauté party!
• Slow Cooker Magic: Spray your slow cooker with a little olive oil (no one likes a sticky slow cooker). Now, dump in the sautéed veggies, along with the mushrooms, olives, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine, and all those seasonings. Give it a good mix so it all becomes one big happy family of flavors.
• Turkey Time: Crumble the ground turkey right on top of the veggie mix. You’re going to want to break it into chunks, but don’t stress about making it perfect! Just press it down gently into the sauce. It’ll cook beautifully, trust me.
• Set and Forget: Put the slow cooker on low and let it work its magic for 7 hours. You don’t even have to be there—just set it and forget it (but not too forget it, because you might want to smell it when it’s ready).
• Zucchini Noodles: Wash your zucchinis like they’re royalty, then grab a vegetable peeler and start peeling away until you’ve got long, flat noodles. Stop when you hit the seedy middle (we’re not about that life).
• The Grand Finale: Plate your zucchini noodles and top them with the hot, turkey spaghetti sauce. Don’t forget to sprinkle with that fresh parsley for a burst of green and some fancy vibes.

Nutrition Facts
One serving (without rice) has:

• 276 calories
• 8g fat
• 383mg sodium
• 18g carbs
• 6g fiber
• 21g protein

Bonus Fun Fact: By swapping out regular noodles for zucchini, you’re cutting down on carbs and calories while getting an extra boost of fiber. Plus, you won’t miss the pasta one bit. Seriously. It’s that good.

So there you have it—Slow Cooker Turkey Spaghetti over Zucchini Noodles. It’s healthy, it’s hearty, and it’s the perfect way to sneak in those veggies without anyone noticing. Try it out tonight, and let me know how your new healthy spaghetti dreams turn out!

Ready to make your fitness goals a reality? If you’re looking for more tasty recipes, fat loss tips, or expert guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. As a San Diego Personal Trainer, I’m here to help you build sustainable habits that will help you look and feel your best. Let’s get started!