If you like creamy pasta, you have to try this casserole type dish from Hayley Lucero (@realfoodwithaltitude)! An incredible dish, this casserole switches out traditional heavy pasta for light and nutritious spaghetti squash.
INGREDIENTS
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2 Organic, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tbsp. Olive oil
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1 Spaghetti squash
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8 oz. Cream cheese
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10 oz. Cherry tomatoes
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1 small White onion (diced)
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2 tbsp. Garlic (minced)
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1 tsp. Italian seasoning
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2 tbsp. Fresh basil
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1 tsp. Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
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Preheat oven to 400° F.
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Put 1 tbsp. olive oil in the bottom of a casserole dish. Butterfly the chicken breasts (cut in half length-wise) and place them flat in the dish.
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Surround the chicken with cherry tomatoes, onions and garlic.
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Spoon out the cream cheese around the dish so you have about 1 inch round dollops of cream cheese evenly spaced. I like to put it mostly on the chicken so I know it won't burn to the bottom.
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Season everything in the casserole dish with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
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Place the casserole dish in the oven for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
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While the chicken is cooking, cook the spaghetti squash. My favorite way to do this is cut it in half on the equator, scoop the seeds out, and microwave it for 5 minute increments until it is finished—typically about 15 minutes. You can also cut it the same way, remove the seeds, and cook it in your InstantPot for 13 minutes.
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When the spaghetti squash is cooked, use a fork to scrape out all the "meat" of the squash.
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When the chicken is done, shred the chicken and mix the cream cheese (should be soft), tomatoes, and chicken together. Add in the squash and combine until it is coated in the sauce.
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Add extra basil on top and enjoy!
NOTES
- Serve this over any pasta that you prefer. I love spaghetti squash to keep this light, but you can add any cooked pasta to the mixture.
- Cook the spaghetti squash how you like best. I find the fastest way is in the microwave or the instant pot, so that is how I like to do it.
- Add as much fresh basil as you like! I always think the more the merrier.
- If you don’t want to use cream cheese, goat cheese is another great option. It will not be Whole30 compatible but works great!