cheesy spaghetti squash and spinach

I am very fortunate to have a husband that will try anything once.  Often times, when I tell him about what I'm going to invent in the kitchen, I immediately follow it with, "we can always go out to eat if it is a total fail!"  Well tonight, we got to stay home, because my invention turned out so good!  I absolutely love spaghetti squash and finding new ways to use it.  

David is in the midst of studying for finals, so our dinners are quick.  Since dinner is his only break at night, we usually watch tv.   It's the perfect mindless and hilarious way to get him through the rest of the night.

 Cheesy Spaghetti Squash and Spinach

Serves 6-8

1 spaghetti squash

1 package frozen spinach

1 tsp minced garlic (divided)

1/3 cup light/fat free whipped cream cheese

1/3 cup shredded cheese (colby jack or mild cheddar)

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese + some to sprinkle on top

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic salt

Preheat to 375.  Cut spaghetti squash in half and place face down on a rimmed baking sheet.  Add 1/4 inch water to baking sheet.  Bake for 45 minutes.  When done, cut oven temperature down to 350.

While it is baking, cook spinach.  Once it is halfway cooked, add 1/2 tsp garlic to spinach.  When it is done, press water out.  In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients together with spinach.  Once spaghetti squash is done, scrape out the insides into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix together well.  Add contents to baking dish.  Cover the top in shredded parmesan cheese.  

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Broil for last 3-4 minutes to create a "crust" on top.

ENJOY!

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew we had to try it.  It looked so easy and good!

If there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE pasta!

I seriously have DREAMS about pasta!

But... I'm not supposed to eat it.

SO spaghetti squash is an awesome alternative to help me get my pasta fix!!

I made some changes to the recipe I found on The Comfort of Cooking to make this dish my own and it turned out really well!

This dish is husband approved!  He absolutely LOVED it!

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Servings: 2.5

Ingredients:

1 medium size spaghetti squash

1 large chicken breast (baked and shredded)

1 tbsp Parkay butter

4 garlic cloves

1 tbsp flour

1 1/2 cups skim milk

1 tbsp Philadelphia Fat Free cream cheese

1 cup freshly grated Sargento parmesan cheese (reserve some to sprinkle on top!)

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp ground pepper

1/8 tsp parsley

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Slice your spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds.

Place the cut side down on a baking sheet with a 1/4 inch of water.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, so that the inside of the squash is tender.

Once the squash is cooked, scrap the spaghetti out and into a bowl.

In a pot on the stove, melt the butter and stir in the garlic.  Let it simmer for a minute or two  Whisk in the flour and then milk.  Whisk continually so that there are no lumps.  Once it is smooth, stir in the parm, salt, pepper, parsley, and chicken.  Pour the hot mixture over the spaghetti and mix together carefully.

Pour mixture back into the two spaghetti squash halves.

Top with left over parm cheese.

Broil for 5-7 minutes until cheese on top bubbles and gets a little crust!

Serve out of the spaghetti squash shells and...

ENJOY!

I should also mention that I wrote this blog with Hazel laying across my chest, blocking my view and squeaking her toy.  She doesn't understand personal space well :) but she can multitask well!

yummy in my tummy

WOW.  It's the only word I have.  WOW.  I just really outdid myself in the kitchen.  While it was an easy enough recipe, it turned out amazing!!

Tonight, I made Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash.  And it was... WOW.

So here is what I did...

I cut the spaghetti squash in half, turned in face down in water.  Next, I put it in the microwave for 12 minutes.  When it came out, the insides fell apart.  Perfection.

While I was waiting for the spaghetti squash to steam, I put some oil, a few diced onions, minced garlic, tomatoes, green olives, salt, pepper, and basil.  I heated it up until it was simmering.

Once I peeled the insides out of the squash, I scooped the ingredients in the skillet into a bowl (leaving the oil behind) and mixed it together.  Once everything was spread even, I mixed in crumbled feta cheese.  To give it a good Greek taste.

This dish is amazing.  I even called my mama to brag about what a good job I did!  I'm so proud! Haha  It turned out so well!  The great thing about spaghetti squash is that you don't have to eat much at all to get full!  This is a recipe the fiance would LOVE if I diced up some quick chicken to go on top!

I have loved experimenting with spaghetti squash recently.  If you have any good recipes I should try, let me know!  Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!