Hey Y’all!
So guess what! I’m shooting a commercial today in the city!
Pretty exciting π
Here’s a secret though: the food on set, is typically not the greatest. Unless it’s for a network, the food available is typically along the lines of pizza. Which is great – but not for someone who is Gluten Free, and following the Specific Carb Diet.

So what’s a girl to do?
I bring my own. π
Last week’s show stoppingΒ Stuffed Butternut Squash is something I love bringing to dinner parties. AndΒ thisΒ feast for the eyes (and belly) is what I often times bring with me when I’m on a shoot. It travelsΒ really well and can be eaten at room temperature.
So just what is it??
Brussels Sprouts Pesto Pasta!
IΒ love Brussels Sprouts. They get kind of a bad wrap, but I think that’s just because most people haven’t had them prepared the right way. Let’s face it: when you cook the life out of these babies, they’re not exactly the belle of the ball. Buuuut when you prepare them like this, they’re irresistible!
So what did I make? I made pasta out of SPAGHETTI SQUASH! Which is another one of my favorites π You get the pasta “feeling” without the grains!
I made a beautiful cauliflower-pesto cream sauce over spaghetti squash with pan seared Brussels sprouts and red pepper. It was De-Lish!
And it’s grain and gluten free, Vegan, Paleo, and Specific Carb Diet friendly!
Here’sΒ what you need: (Serves 2)
1 Spaghetti Squash
Pesto Cream Sauce:
2 cups cauliflower
1 cup fresh basil
1 clove of garlic
3 Tbsp pine nuts
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1-2 Tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1/4 tsp salt
Pinch of pepper
2 dozen Brussels sprouts, halved
1 red pepper, diced (Option: store-bought roasted red peppers)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried basil
Garnish:
chopped basil
Tools:
Food processor (This is the one I use andΒ love)
Large, non stick frying pan
Oven mitts
Good Chef’s Knife (This is the one I use andΒ love)
Steamer basket
Medium sized mixing bowl
Directions:
Carefully prick your spaghetti squash all over with a fork. (IΒ caaaaaarefullyΒ used a sharp knife. ButΒ please watch your digits!!!) Place it on a paper towel in the microwave and cook for 7 minutes. Then, Carefully flip it can cook for another 4-5 minutes, until soft. Then, with oven mitts, carefully take it out of the microwave and let it cool until you can touch it. (You can also roast it in the oven for 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but I find the microwave so much easier!)
While the squash is cooking, pan sear your Brussels sprouts. Heat 1 Tbsp EVOO over medium-high heat Β in a large, non-stick frying pan. Place the Brussels sprouts cut-side down in the pan. Sprinkle them with oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Then don’t touch them and let them brown for about 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Then, flip them and cook the other side for another 3 minutes. Transfer them to a plate and set aside.
Add another Tbsp of EVOO to the pan, and sautè the red pepper with salt and pepper. Let it cook for about 4 minutes until slightly soft, but still crunchy. (Another option is to use store-bought roasted red peppers instead).
Next, prepare the cauliflower-pesto cream sauce. Steam the cauliflower be either microwaving it for 3 minutes, or steaming it in a steamer basket until fork-tender. In the food processor, add the basil, lemon, EVOO, pine nuts, garlic, cooked cauliflower, salt and pepper. Process until it is thick and creamy. (You’ll need to scrape the sides several times.)
Finally, take the cooled spaghetti squash and carefully cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and then with a fork, scrape the sides, creating spaghetti strands.
To assemble, mix the pesto cream sauce with the spaghetti strands and red pepper in a separate medium sized bowl. On each plate, place half of the “spaghetti” mixture, top with half of the Brussels sprouts and garnish with fresh basil.
Holy cow, guys. What a delicious dinner! This was Brussels sprouts perfection! Something magical happens when you sear Brussels sprouts like that: They become all caramelized and have a smokey earthiness to them. And they have a wonderful chew to them! I mean, just look at that golden brown deliciousness!
And the pesto cream sauce complimented it beautifully! It was fresh and bright, and luxuriously rich and creamy.
And so healthy too! Just packed with different nutrients, vitamins, minerals and FLAVOR!
Alright, talk to you tomorrow…when I’m in Chicago!!
For more recipes, you can get my e-cookbook here, or visit my food blog, GlutenFreeHappyTummy!
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84 responses to “Brussels Sprouts Pesto Pasta!”
Love you to the end. But if you want to attract men, maybe something meat and potatoes healthy. We are trying to evolve. Really.
Hahaha trust me I make a mean steak. Just because I donβt personally eat it doesnβt mean I canβt cook the crap out of it ππΌ believe me, whoever I marry will eat like a king! Haha Hugs and love xox
..that skill set will you to priceless babe.
Thanks again x
Wow, this dish looks fab, and I can’t remember the last time I tried this veggie. I like more than meat and taters. ππ»ππ
Thanks so much John! Yeah itβs delish I promise! Hugs and love xox
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This sounds amazing! I love brussels sprouts and pesto!
Thanks so much Samantha! Hugs and love xox
Thanks Samantha! It really is a dynamite combo! Hugs and love xox
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try!
Thanks so much! I hope you love it! Hugs and love xox
Love brussels sprout too, I add it to omelets. Definitely will try this one.
Oooh thatβs a great omelet addition! Hugs and love xox
Yummo! this sounds delicious! I will definitely try it out!
Thanks! Hope you love it! Hugs and love xox
This looks amazing and I don’t even like Brussel Sprouts.
Thanks! Haha yeah it was pretty tasty! Hugs and love xox
Yum! This looks so delicious!
Thanks for the link up! Hugs and love xox
Thanks so much! Hugs and love xox
This Doug-the-Pug photo just came out today and made me think of your blog post!! Be sure to read the caption! π
https://www.facebook.com/itsdougthepug/photos/a.700677076683788.1073741828.700671623351000/1753419144742904/?type=3&theater
Thanks Meg!! Hugs and love xox
I have always loved Brussel sprouts. I have never figured why they get such a bad rap. This looks delish.
And congrats, hope all goes well in Chicago! π
Thanks friend! Yeah theyβre one of my fav veggies! Hugs and love xox
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I’m not sure I’m brave enough for all of that! But maybe I’ll do the spaghetti squash!
Haha thanks π yeah spaghetti squash is a hero veggie for sure! Hugs and love xox
Iβm with you on everything…except…the brussel sprouts π
Hahaha oh Sean youβre hysterical! Hugs and love xox
Lol π hugs and love xoxo
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Looks delish. Your meals are always a rainbow. My tummy doesn’t like pine nuts… what would you recommend substituting?
Thank you so much Linda! Yes! Walnuts would make a great substitute – or pistachios, even cashews!! Hugs and love xox
After all this time tonight I almost unfollowed you! Sprouts and cauliflower are evil, and should never be on a plate….
Ok I was kidding about unfollowing, but not about the evil! Good job staying on plan though!
Hahaha youβre funny Tony! Oh man Iβm sorry to hear that!! Thanks for stopping by and sorry about the sprouts lol Hugs and love xox
Wonderful
thank you so much!! Hugs and love xox
Oh, looks very delicious (water running in my mouth LOL)
Good job, my friend π
I love all kind of vegetables.
You surely are a good cook.
Have a great time, dear friend
Hugs and love
Didi
hahaha thanks Didi!! Yeah, it was pretty tasty for sure! have a wonderful evening! Hugs and love xox
Dish looks yummy ππ i ll try this π
Thanks so much!! Hugs and love xox
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Oh my goodness…this looks sooooo yummy. I actually stopped myself from drooling! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Natasha!! Haha Hugs and love xox
I downloaded and synced last night, and started listening to a book until I fell asleep. Thank you so much for sharing this app and this awesome way for me to support my library.
oops sorry. I was typing message and somehow posted it here. I know youβre scratching your head LOL.
No worries – I was like…hmm audible?? I know Iβm an ambassador so maybe thatβs what you meant hahahahha π
Oh nice!! So glad youβre enjoying it!! π Hugs and love xox
Such a colourful dish, can’t wait to try it π
Thanks friend! Hugs and love xox
So nice to see people doing something they are passionate about.
Thanks Larry! Hugs and love xox
That looks great! Also, I love the torn jean, T-shirt, natural look. You’re a cutie!
Thanks John! Haha Hugs and love xox
I love Brussells sprouts! They have to be slightly crunchy though, or I’ll decide they’re overcooked (I detest veg that’s been cooked for so long that it’s soggy). I may get my husband to make this while I’m still laid up with a broken hip (although it would involve real pasta because he won’t eat squash); i looks delicious!
Oh no! I hope your hip heals quickly!!! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Well, I can eat brussel sprouts, but I prefer to have them the way I ate them here in Charleston, S.C. a couple of years ago: cooked on a wood-fired stove with bacon and brown sugar until caramelized. Yes, it could have been deadly, but it satisfied every testosterone-starved cell in my living-in-a-house-with-five-women-and-a-neutered dog life.
Ooooh you know what they say…bacon makes everything better! Haha Hugs and love xox
This looks really good! and I just happen to have a large butternut squash sitting here wondering when I’m going to cook with it, and eat it. π
Thanks so much Claudette! Hugs and love xox
Oh man, my mouth is watering. Yum!!
Haha thanks Laura Beth!! Hugs and love xox
YUMMMMIEEEEE. Nice presentation.
Thanks so much! Hugs and love xox
Nothing to do with your recipe, but my wife has a photography book called Light Room 5 for digital photography and it’s from Adobe. The cover of the book is a woman who looks like you! Did you do that cover? Curious.
Oh awesome! Hmmm Iβm not sure – Iβll check it out! Haha sometimes actors never know what their stuff is used for! Hugs and love xox
Nope not me! But Iβm flattered! That woman is beautiful!
Similar features I think. Ok, I can put that question to rest.
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wonderful idea!
Thanks so much! Hugs and love xox
Yummmmy..my kind of food…I ate something close for breakfast lol..spagetti squash is my fav…
Thanks love π xox
OMGosh – this looks sooooo good! Trying this weekend – will post feedback. Thanks for sharing, Sweet Girl!
thank you so much! awesome, can’t wait to hear! hope you love it! Hugs and love xox
I just cannot eat a Brussels sprout lol
Hahaha I hear ya π Hugs and love xox
You make me hungry , im now a vegetarian coz of my blood pressure.
haha thanks π yeah vegetarian is the way to go!! Hugs and love xox