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    October 21, 2023

    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken

    Spaghetti squash is great on its own, but we love to play up its textural element by baking it with chicken, spinach, and cheese for the perfect scoop (plus cheese, because why not).

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    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken on a baking sheet topped with parmesan and basil
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    More Spinach Spiked Recipes From The Modern Proper.

    Spaghetti Squash Gets A New Job

    What to do with spaghetti squash? It’s served as the non-noodle spaghetti, and a simple salt and pepper side for too long, so we set out to give it a new purpose. This easy stuffed spaghetti squash combines creamed spinach (which feels rich and healthy at the same time), shredded chicken, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, all in a Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Serve it with some Garlic Bread or Sourdough Bread and call it a meal!

    spaghetti squash, chicken, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, heavy cream, shallot, olive oil and spices in bowls

    Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash, Ingredients.

    • Spaghetti squash (about 4-5 pounds)

    • Extra-virgin olive oil and butter

    • Kosher salt, sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper

    • Shallot and garlic

    • Shredded chicken

    • Heavy cream, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese

    • Garlic powder, nutmeg, cayenne and crushed red pepper flakes

    • Dijon mustard

    • Frozen spinach and fresh basil

    a spaghetti squash halved, with seeds removed and being brush with olive oil on a baking sheet
    a spaghetti squash that has been halved, seeds removed and brushed with olive oil face down on a baking sheet ready to roast
    butter, shallot and garlic being cooked in a skillet
    butter, shallot garlic, heavy cream, mustard, spices, spinach, basil and parmesan being cooked in a skillet

    How To Make Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

    1. Here’s how to cut spaghetti squash. Using a sharp knife (which is safer than using a dull knife!), cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise then scoop out the seeds and discard them.
    2. How to cook spaghetti squash. Brush the inside of the squash with olive oil and place it cut side down on the sheet pan.
    3. Bake the spaghetti squash in the oven for 40 minutes, or until the squash is very tender. For a very thorough look at this process, see our How To Cook Spaghetti Squash for pictures and guided tips.
    4. Make this baked spaghetti squash recipe a breeze! Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken!

    creamed spinach in a skillet made with butter, shallot garlic, heavy cream, mustard, spices, basil and parmesan
    roasted spaghetti squash being scooped out of the skins on a baking sheet next to salt and pepper
    roasted spaghetti squash filled with chicken and mozzarella ready to be baked in the oven
    roasted spaghetti squash filled with chicken, mozzarella and creamed spinach on a baking sheet

    How To Make Creamed Spinach

    You’ve been looking for a great homemade creamed spinach recipe, and we’re here to help. Making Creamed Spinach from frozen is super easy and requires a few of our favorite things: butter and cream! You’ll make the easy creamed spinach while the spaghetti squash is in the oven by cooking a shallot and garlic in butter, then adding the cream and seasonings to the skillet and cooking until it reduces down. Add the parmesan and spinach, and basil, and cook until it’s thick and creamy, about another five minutes.

    roasted Spaghetti Squash filled with Creamed Spinach, Chicken and mozzarella, topped with parmesan on a baking sheet
    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken topped with parmesan and fresh basil on a baking sheet

    Tools You’ll Need

    • A sharp kitchen knife. We emphasize “sharp” here, because the skin of squash can be quite thick, and it’s actually safer to use a sharp knife to avoid any accidents.

    • A spoon for scooping the seeds.

    • A sheet pan or large baking dish.

    • A pastry brush (if you don’t have one, you can drizzle the olive oil and use your fingers as a brush)

    • A large skillet

    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken topped with parmesan and fresh basil in a bowl

    A Squash For Every Day Of The Week

    Squash has such a wide variety of uses, and it’s almost impossible to count the ways we’ve already cooked them up. Here’s a few of our top hits:

    Now We’re Stuffed

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken

    Updated on October 21, 2023

    • Serves: 4
    • Prep Time:  20 min
    • Cook Time:  45 min
    • Calories: 731
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    Ingredients

    • 1 spaghetti squash (about 4-5 pounds), halved lengthwise, seeds removed
    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 3 cups shredded chicken, warmed
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

    For the Creamed Spinach

    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¾ cups heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • Pinch of ground nutmeg
    • Pinch of cayenne
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
    • 12 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
    • ¼ cup minced fresh basil, optional, plus more for serving

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 425° F with a rack in the center position. Grease a rimmed sheet pan or large baking dish with olive oil.

    2. Brush the inside of the squash with olive oil. Place cut side down on the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the squash is very tender. Remove from the oven, leaving the oven on. Carefully flip the squash and using a fork, scrape the flesh to loosen the spaghetti-like strands. Season with salt and pepper.

    3. Make the creamed spinach. While the squash is roasting, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until softened, but not browned, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.

    4. Stir in the heavy cream, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, nutmeg, and cayenne and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.

    5. Add the Parmesan, spinach, and basil, if using, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the spinach, about 5 minutes longer.

    6. Fill each piece of squash with shredded chicken dividing evenly. Add the creamed spinach, dividing evenly. Top with the mozzarella. Return the squash to the oven and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan, remaining basil, and red pepper flakes. Serve warm.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories731
    • Protein41 g
    • Carbohydrates43 g
    • Total Fat27 g
    • Dietary Fiber12 g
    • Cholesterol155 mg
    • sodium1062 mg
    • Total Sugars15 g

    Spaghetti Squash with Creamed Spinach and Chicken

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Leslie

      Is there a reason to not use fresh spinach?

      Fresh spinach has a lot of water that will come out when you cook it down. The benefit of using frozen spinach is that after it thaws, you can squeeze out the liquid.

    • Susy

      I like this recipe but I would love to know how I can make this healthier. Is there an alternative to the butter, heavy cream and cheese?

      You could just cut the amounts down. It would be less creamy and less cheesy but it would still be great! You can use a little olive oil in place of the butter.

    • Pam

      Can I substitute kale for the spinach ? I have potassium issues.

      Sure thing!

    • Kelly

      This was a fantastic fall meal!
      I did make some modifications. Instead of chicken, I sautéed cremini mushrooms. I didn’t use as much mozzarella cheese, and it still had a very rich flavor. They already mention this but my big tip is to make sure you have a sharp knife, or ask the produce person at the grocery if they can slice the squash in half for you.

      Thanks Kelly, we are so happy you loved it! Sounds delicious with mushrooms!

    • Joe

      This was delicious! My wife was over the moon for it. A definite repeater 👍

      Thanks Joe, we are so happy you both loved it!

    • Kari

      was delicious. Came together very easy. i added more spinach (total 2 boxes of frozen spinach) also added a little bit of chopped tarragon. will be making again for sure!

      Thanks Kari, glad you loved it!

    • Brian

      This delivered huge on flavor. I had left over creamed spinach in the freezer from the holidays, smoked the chicken on the smoker and all four of my kids cleaned the their plates and asked for seconds. Wouldn't change a thing.

      Thanks Brian, so glad everyone loved it!