Cheesy Pesto Chicken and Veggie Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Cheesy Pesto Chicken and Veggie Stuffed Spaghetti Squash :: veggies have never tasted so good!

Ingredients
  • 2 medium-small spaghetti squash [6-7 inches long]
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup pesto, extra to taste
  • 1-2 cups fresh baby spinach, torn/chopped
  • 1 extra large carrot, shredded
  • 1 medium red bell pepper pepper, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 oz shredded cheese
  • 1-2 TBSP fresh parsley to garnish
InstructionsCheesy Pesto Chicken and Veggie Stuffed Spaghetti Squash :: veggies have never tasted so good!
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Slice your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. For easy cutting, feel free to stick each squash in the microwave for 5 minutes to soften it up just a tad. The knife slides through way easier this way!
  3. Next grab a lipped baking sheet or a rimmed baking dish.
  4. To prevent sticking, rub the cut side of the squash with a teeny bit of olive oil or simply place a little water inside your baking dish. Both work great!
  5. Place inside a baking dish or atop rimmed, lined baking sheet [some liquid will escape] and roast face-down for 30-40 minutes, or until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  6. Cooking time will vary a bit depending on the size of your squash, and the once rock-hard exterior of the squash will be visibly softened.
  7. The squash can be roasted and stored in the fridge for a few days if you'd like to meal prep and plan ahead for a speedier dinner. You can also make the whole shebang one weekend and pop it in the fridge until about 30 minutes before dinnertime. Wind up with a little bit leftover? It reheats marvelously the following day! Now let's get back to the recipe!
  8. While the squash roast, cook chicken via your favorite method or squirrel away leftovers from the previous night's dinner. I poached mine.