Macaroni with Squash, Spinach & Ham - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
This Macaroni with Squash, Spinach & Ham is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 494 calories, 29.89g protein, and 65.16g carbs per serving. Ready in 60 minutes. High in fiber (4.7g), which supports insulin sensitivity.
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- 33 1/4 oz honey ham
- 2 lbs squash
- 6 oz spinach
- 4 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 8 fl oz white wine
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions.
- Add olive oil to a large non-stick pan, add chopped ham, cook for about 5 minutes or until desired crispiness.
- Add squash to the pan with ham and oil, cook for about 10 more minutes stirring occasionally until squash is golden brown.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, add wine and cook about 5 more minutes.
- When done, add pasta and spinach, cook long enough for spinach to wilt. Serve.
- Note: Any shaped pasta like farfalle or campanelle can be substituted for elbow macaroni. Add thyme with the wine if you like thyme.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Macaroni with Squash, Spinach & Ham contribute to your health goals:
- Spinach: Magnesium may help improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS
- Olive oil: Anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for PCOS
- Honey: Use in moderation as part of a balanced PCOS diet
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that support cell membrane health and hormone synthesis, and nutrient-dense vegetables that provide essential vitamins and minerals for metabolic health. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Macaroni with Squash, Spinach & Ham can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe
This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Spinach, Honey.
Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. The high iron content in spinach helps combat anemia, which is common in women with PCOS. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. The antioxidants in spinach can help lower oxidative stress, which is beneficial for managing PCOS symptoms. Including spinach in your diet can support overall health and well-being. Honey, often hailed as a...
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this Macaroni with Squash, Spinach & Ham recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 494 calories per serving with 29.89g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 4.7g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.
This recipe takes about 60 minutes total. Prep time is 30 minutes and cook time is 30 minutes. It makes 8 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.
Per serving: 494 calories, 29.89g protein (24%), 65.16g carbs, 10.74g fat. Plus 4.7g fiber. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.
Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Dinner. At 494 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Dinner. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.
This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 8 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.
Cook Another PCOS-Friendly Dinner
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