Roasted Spaghetti Squash with 15-Minute Marinara

January is a complicated month for those of us living in the northern hemisphere.

On the one hand, we want to put on our sweatpants, curl up by the fire, and hibernate under a blanket with a big bowl of mac and cheese. But then there’s those pesky New Years resolutions lingering in the back of your mind, reminding us of our intentions for a healthier year. So alas, we put away the comfort food and settle for a plate full of baked chicken and steamed broccoli instead (not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course – but it likely won’t satisfy those comfort food cravings)

As a dietitian, I’m all about balance and listening to your body. If you’re craving a cookie, then chances are, I’m going to tell you to eat the cookie. Eat it, enjoy it, move on. Unnecessary dietary restrictions and failure to address food cravings will likely only result in binges later on. That being said, part of listening to your body and honoring your cravings means tuning in to what it is your body is trying to tell you. It may sound silly, but what is it that you’re really craving? Is it the food itself or is it the emotions that go along with it?

5 Simple pantry ingredients and 15 minutes is all you need to make homemade marinara sauce!

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In the winter, I often find myself craving a big bowl of pasta. While pasta is certainly not the gluttonous demon food that it is frequently made out to be (although it is quite glutenous – see what I did there?), it’s also not necessarily the “lightest” of foods. As much as I love pasta, I often feel weighed down and sluggish after eating it – not exactly an ideal feeling, especially when you’re trying to “get back on track” after the New Year.

But I’ve come to realize that my pasta cravings often have less to do with the pasta itself and more to do with the feelings that I associate with a bowl full of noodles: warmth, comfort, familiarity. Roasted spaghetti squash with homemade marinara elicits these same feelings, without the post-pasta food coma. Not to mention, I feel pretty legit making homemade sauce (no one will even know it came together in only 15 minutes!)

Looking for a lighter alternative to pasta? You need to check out this Roasted Spaghetti Squash!

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Whether you’re trying to add more vegetables into your life or simply looking to mix up your usual winter pasta routine, roasted spaghetti squash is for you. Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it tastes exactly like pasta, because it doesn’t. So if what you’re really craving is a bowl of carb-filled noodles, then I recommend you dish yourself up a portion of whole-wheat noodles instead (or go halvsies and mix the noodles with the spaghetti squash!). BUT if you’re simply yearning for a meal that will warm you up from the inside out, then look no further. This meal has got that covered. Go the extra mile and amp up the coziness factor by making your own easy stovetop marinara sauce – all it takes is 15 minutes and 5 pantry ingredients!

PS: Be sure to check back soon for a delicious plant-based recipe to serve with this Roasted Spaghetti Squash with 15-Minute Marinara!