Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

 

Time to snuggle up with some comfort food that you won't feel too guilty about!

Ingredients-Serves 4

2 spaghetti squash (small)

1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 clove garlic (minced)

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/4 cups milk (half and half or chicken broth depending on level of richness/health)

1/2 teaspoon salt optional

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

black pepper or cayenne (to taste)

1/2 C each of onion, bell pepper, zucchini and mushrooms

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese)

2 cups chicken breast (cooked, 8 oz., chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)

1/4 cup shredded Italian cheese (mozzarella, provolone, or a blend optional)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley (minced, optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the ends from each spaghetti squash. With a sharp knife, slice each squash in half lengthwise. Spoon out seeds from each squash half. Arrange halves, cut side down, on prepared baking sheet.

Roast the squash for 50-55 minutes on the middle rack of oven, until it is fork tender. While squash bakes, prepare the chicken Alfredo filling.

Set a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Once butter is melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk to form a paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then slowly pour milk into the pan, whisking to dissolve flour.

Cook sauce, whisking constantly, until it begins to bubble and thicken. Once thickened, turn off the heat. Add salt, black pepper, and Parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted. Fold in chopped cooked chicken and chopped veggies.

Remove baking sheet from oven and flip squash halves so they are cut side up. Use a fork to toss the strands in each half. Divide chicken Alfredo mixture evenly among squash halves, gently packing it into cavity. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over each mound of filling.

Return baking sheet to the middle rack of oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and lightly golden, and filling is gently bubbling.

Check to see that squash is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.

Transfer squash halves to serving plates and sprinkle with minced parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Based on this website with my changes:  https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Chicken-Alfredo-Stuffed-Spaghetti-Squash-9083665?makeMode=true&step=2