Bear is back! And he has A LOT of recipes to post. I wanted to start off with this hearty, winter casserole that is perfect for this weather. This casserole is basically a healthier version of a mac n cheese with spice. Who would have guessed this would be something I'd love?! This recipe it pretty easy to make and lets you indulge without as much guilt. I've adapted it from the Realistic Nutritionist's Recipe that you can find on her blog. I hope you enjoy it.
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves about 6
Ingredients:
·
1 2.5 pound spaghetti
squash, cut in half and seeded
·
1 1/2 cup 2% milk
·
3 cloves garlic,
minced
·
1/2 shallot, finely
chopped
·
1 tablespoon butter
·
2 jalapeños, 1
chopped and seeded, 1 sliced
·
1/2 cup gouda cheese
·
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
·
1/3 cup bread crumbs
·
2 tablespoons
chopped jalapeños
·
salt and pepper to
taste
Directions:
1.
Grease a 2 – 3 quart
baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2.
Preheat oven to 375
degrees F. Place spaghetti squash flesh side down in a glass baking dish. Fill
the dish up 1/2 way with water (or until the squash’s flesh is submerged). Bake
for 45 – 50 minutes, or until squash is soft to the touch. Let cool.
3.
When squash has
cooled, use a fork to remove the spaghetti like strands. Place in a large
mixing bowl.
4.
Meanwhile, heat butter
in a medium size pan over medium high heat. Add shallots, jalapenos and garlic
and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons flour and
whisk until smooth. Slowly add milk, stirring
constantly until incorporated. Bring to
a boil then let simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened.
5.
Add in spaghetti
squash and mix well to cover in the milk mixture. Add salt and pepper. Let cook
another 2 – 3 minutes. Then, add cheese, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well to
mix.
6.
Pour spaghetti squash
mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, sliced jalapeños and
salt and pepper. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for 15 – 20 minutes, or until
bubbly and top is golden brown.
