Ross Mathews Says This High-Protein Dinner Helped Him Lose 60 Pounds

“You don’t have to give up things you love.”

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDReviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

The new season of The Drew Barrymore Show has just begun, and we’re already being *fed* with delicious dishes from celebrity chef Valerie Bertinelli and co-host Ross Mathews. In a new part of the show sharing his “Rossipes,” Mathews dives into the recipes and healthy swaps that he has made to help him lose 60 pounds.

“Here’s the deal: I love food, I’ve always struggled with my weight,” the RuPaul’s Drag Race judge shares in a recent segment. “You don’t have to give up things you love, but you can make better-for-you choices.”

One of his favorite comfort meals? Lasagna, so Mathews shared his “healthier” version that switches up the classic dish to include more fiber-packed and protein-packed ingredients.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Just Shared a High-Protein Appetizer, and Drew Barrymore Loves It

Instead of lasagna sheets or other pasta shapes, Mathews first omits the pasta and instead uses an EatingWell-loved veggie as the base: spaghetti squash. After roasting the halved squash, it’s easy to use a fork and scrape the flesh of the squash to create mock noodles.

Mathews also subs ground beef for ground turkey as a heart-healthy alternative. He cooks the ground turkey in a skillet and throws in whatever vegetables he has on hand—this time, it’s broccoli, and he also recommends zucchini. And for added flavor, he seasons the meat and veggies with red pepper flakes, garlic and Italian seasoning. Then, he pours on canned marinara sauce for ease. There are plenty of nutritional marinara sauce options on the market, but you can also make your own sauce ahead of time with our No-Peel Slow-Cooker Marinara Sauce recipe.

With the shredded spaghetti squash placed on the bottom of a baking dish, he layers the veggie-packed Bolognese-esque sauce on top. Mixed together, he adds in nonfat cottage cheese to replace ricotta, which Bertinelli notes is a high-protein option. To top it off, Mathews likes adding slices of fresh mozzarella cheese for the crispy texture once baked in the oven.

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Cheese Every Day

After 30 minutes in a 400°F oven, the result is a cozy dinner that does not omit the comforting flavors of a classic lasagna. Mathews enjoys adding fresh herbs on top before plating, like basil.

“Now for me on a weight loss journey, I was so clueless,” Mathews reflects. “I didn’t know how to do this and [still not] be able to eat the things I love. I didn’t want to give up the good stuff in life, so this was my attempt to crack that code.”

As for the taste, Bertinelli herself said it’s “so delicious.” This recipe is very similar to our own Spaghetti Squash Casserole, which is highly rated for a reason. In fact, one reviewer writes that this recipe actually helped *them* lose 60 pounds, so this low-calorie, fiber-packed, high-protein comfort dinner should definitely be on your radar if you’re on your own weight-health journey.

“What I wanted to do was be able to stay on my journey, make progress towards the goal, be that work in progress that I want to be, but also have to undo my pants after a good meal because I feel full,” Mathews shares at the end of the segment. Focusing on protein and fiber will keep you satisfied and full for longer, so we’re big fans of the host’s personal tips for eating well.

Related: Ross Mathews Lost 60 Pounds by Stepping Away from Diet Culture: “Nothing’s Off-Limits”

Read the original article on Eating Well.