Southwestern Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut squash in half lengthwise.
• Remove and discard seeds.
• Place squash, cut side down, in greased baking pan.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until just tender.
• Using fork, remove spaghetti-like strands from hot squash and place strands in large bowl.
• Add tomatoes with juice, beans, 1/2 cup cheese, cilantro, cumin, garlic salt and pepper; toss well.
• Spray 1 1/2 quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
• Spoon mixture into casserole.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Pierce the squash along one side in a straight line. Don't poke holes all over. You are using the skin as a casserole dish and it will leak if you poke it all over.
• Microwave the squash about 8-10 minutes, high heat. To softish stage so you can scrape the flesh out later.
• Remove from microwave. Using the pierce marks, cut the squash in half so you have two long 'boats.' Cool.
• Brown meat; add garlic, onion, s&p and peppers. Cook until tenderish. Add Italian spice mix and canned tomatoes. Simmer for a few minutes.
• If you are not using meat, sauté the veggies until tender, then continue adding spices and tomatoes.
• While it's simmering--spoon out the seedy portion of the squash and discard.
• Use a fork to scrape the spaghetti into strands. Put the strands into the sauce mix. Stir. Transfer back into boats, piling high! If you have too much, put the remainder into a greased dish.
• Place boats on an ovenproof pan with a lip so any juice will not drip onto oven.
• Sprinkle cheese of choice onto top. Bake, 350°F for about 45 minutes. Enjoy!
• You can of course use more or any veggies--add zucchini, mushrooms, etc. For a different flavor, add black olive slices, mix in 1/2 container of feta and sprinkle the remainder of feta on top. Or use parmesan on top.

Steps:

• Pierce squash in several places with fork or sharp knife; place in shallow microwaveable dish. Microwave on HIGH 10 to 15 min. or until squash is softened, turning every 5 min. Cool slightly.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Cut squash in half; remove and discard seeds. Use fork to scrape insides of squash into strands; place strands in large bowl. Place squash shells, cut sides up, in shallow baking dish.
• Slice onions, keeping white and green pieces separated. Add white onion slices to squash strands in bowl along with the beans, corn, salsa and half the cheese; mix lightly. Spoon into squash shells; top with remaining cheese.
• Bake 15 min. or until filling is heated through and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with green onion pieces.