Magic in the Kitchen

Sometimes, something magical happens in the kitchen and I make something truly delicious. Really. Some kitchen magic happened earlier this week, all because of a spaghetti squash and left over cream cheese. Wanna know what happened? Okay, I’ll share with you.

 

Creamy Spaghetti Squash Casserole

-1 medium sized spaghetti squash (of course it’s best if it’s organic but it doesn’t matter too much since you don’t eat the outside and the inside is nice a protected).

-2-3  16 oz. cans of diced tomatoes (I WISH I  had fresh ones)

-1 cup of cream cheese

-1 cup of chicken stock (or broth)

-1 small zucchini chopped

-1 whole sweet onion diced

– 1/4 cup of flour OPTIONAL (I used wheat and gluten free but I’m sure any will work since it’s just used as a thickener if you think you need it)

-1 cup lightly steamed broccoli

(here is where it gets intense but you gotta stick with it, I promise you’ll love it. In case you could’t tell, I swear by the spices in my cooking)

-1 t. basil

-1 T rosemary

-1 t. oregano

-1 T garlic powder

-1 t. thyme

– 1 t. sage

-1/2 t. fennel

-1/2 t. savory

-1 t. pepper (teaspoon! Not tablespoon! Or more if you want I guess….)

– 2 t. salt

– 2 cups of cheese (I recommend anything white. I used an italian cheese mix.)

*Note: this is NOT an allergy free meal, but it can easily be made so. I was just being bad and cheating because I didn’t want to waste our left over cream cheese.

 

Directions:

Take your squash and slice it in half length wise. Put it on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for about 40 min, really that time is “ish” because some people’s ovens take 30 min, mine takes 40, really it is done when a fork and get into the middle easily. It should look kinda like this: (ignore my gross pan, its just doomed to be that way, I’ve tried everything.)

Have I mentioned that I am obsessed with this squash?
Have I mentioned that I am obsessed with this squash?

That white stuff in the middle is just bubbly water from the squash.

NOW, while that is cooking, throw everything else (EXCEPT THE CHEESE)  into a big pan on the stove and heat it till it’s bubbly. It should look something like this:

DSC04442

 

If it DOESN’T look like this, thats fine, feel free to tweak the ingredients till it does. The veggies can be different, but I’d really try and go for that creamy reddish color. That what makes it so savory. And feel free to tweak the spices, but I LOVE very, very flavorful food as does Brownie and Husband.

Now, while that is getting all bubbly, your squash should be done. Take it out  (use hot pads to hold it since it will be hot to the touch) and take a fork and scrape out all the inside till it yields a couple cups of delish spaghetti looking “noodles”. These noodles will be crispier than regular noodles ( try some plain, they are super good!).

DSC04443

 

YUM.

Once you have all your squash ready and your mixture is all hot, mix the two together in a large bowl and combine in a casserole dish. It should be a tiny bit runny so don’t worry if it’s not all solid (think lasagna consistency).

DSC04446

Cover the top with the cheese.

Put in the oven for 30-35 minutes.

If you want a slightly crispy top ( I know I do), put the oven on broil for two-three minutes before you pull it out.

Okay, I might have let it get a little TOO crispy, still so yummy
Okay, I might have let it get a little TOO crispy, still so yummy

IMG_2849

Dish and ENJOY!

 

2 thoughts on “Magic in the Kitchen”

  1. OH MY GOSH that sounds delicious. I wonder if not putting in the flour would make a difference. More soupy, I assume. I shall try it 🙂

    1. Oh, haha! I was just updating it when I read your comment. Yes, flour is SUPER optional. I didn’t even use it, but I put it in there for people who like casseroles more “firm”. You could even substitute the cream cheese and cheese topping for non-dairy versions as well and make it SUPER healthy I bet. I’m not gonna lie, you wont regret making this 😉 I recommend taste testing LOTS. I just randomly put this together and like things with LOTS of flavor, so the spices might be a lot if you are not into that. Cheers!

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