Chicken and Spinach Spaghetti Squash Alfredo, A Healthier Twist on a Comfort Classic. As we head into the cooler months, there’s nothing quite like indulging in your favorite comfort foods. But what if you could enjoy those cozy, creamy dishes without the guilt? Enter Chicken and Spinach Spaghetti Squash Alfredo—a deliciously creamy yet lighter version of traditional Chicken Alfredo. This dish swaps out heavy pasta for spaghetti squash, while keeping all the flavors you love!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Guilt-Free Comfort – You get all the creamy, cheesy flavors of Chicken Alfredo, but with fewer carbs and calories by using spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta.
- Packed with Nutrients – Spinach and spaghetti squash bring vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants to the plate, making this meal both delicious and nourishing.
- Balanced Indulgence – You’ll still enjoy that rich Alfredo sauce, but with a lighter twist, so you can indulge in your cravings without compromising your health goals.
- Easy to Make – This dish is simple enough to prepare after a long day, giving you a healthy, home-cooked meal with minimal fuss.
- Great for Meal Prep – The components of this dish can easily be made ahead and stored, so you can enjoy it throughout the week without the hassle of cooking each night.
- Low Carb & Satisfying – For those looking to reduce carbs without sacrificing taste, spaghetti squash is a perfect pasta alternative. It’s light, yet satisfying and filling!
- Perfect for the Cooler Weather – As fall arrives, this warm, creamy dish is the ultimate comfort food to cozy up with—without the heaviness of a traditional Alfredo.
Balanced and Flavorful Ingredients:
- Ground Chicken: The lean ground chicken provides a hearty, protein-rich base for the dish, keeping it light compared to traditional Alfredo made with heavier cuts of meat like chicken breasts or thighs. Its mild flavor allows the creamy sauce and seasonings to shine.
- Heavy Cream: While heavy cream gives the sauce its rich, velvety texture, it’s used sparingly to maintain the creaminess you crave from Alfredo without overloading the dish. This ingredient balances richness with a smooth, indulgent sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds sharp, salty notes to the sauce, giving it depth and umami flavor. Its distinct nuttiness complements the cream, creating that signature Alfredo taste with a smaller amount compared to other cheeses.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, Italian seasoning infuses the sauce with a warm, aromatic flavor. It elevates the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a subtle, savory bite to the sauce, enhancing the flavor profile without the fuss of peeling and mincing fresh garlic. It pairs beautifully with the cream and parmesan.
- Baby Spinach: This superfood is not only rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C but also adds a fresh, slightly earthy flavor. The spinach wilts perfectly into the sauce, adding a pop of color and lightness that balances the richness of the cream and cheese.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to sauté the chicken and helps the squash bake to a perfect texture. Its subtle fruity flavor adds richness without the heaviness of butter, keeping the dish heart-healthy.
- Spaghetti Squash: The star of the recipe! Spaghetti squash is a low-carb, nutrient-packed alternative to pasta. Its slightly sweet, neutral flavor absorbs the creamy Alfredo sauce beautifully, while its spaghetti-like strands provide the perfect texture for a satisfying bite.
Quick and Easy Recipe Steps:
For the Spaghetti Squash:
- Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise (from top to bottom) and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
- Brush the inside of each half with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Place the squash halves face down on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, until they’re soft when poked with a fork.
- Let the squash cool for a few minutes, then use a fork to scrape out the inside, which will look like spaghetti.
For the Chicken Alfredo:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken and cook until it’s fully browned, stirring often.
- Pour in the heavy cream, add the parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir everything together until the sauce thickens.
- Add the baby spinach and stir until it wilts down and mixes into the sauce.
- Serve the creamy chicken and sauce on top of the spaghetti squash strands.
Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Meal Prep Recipe Tips
- Cook the Spaghetti Squash in Advance: Bake the spaghetti squash ahead of time and store the strands in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to assemble the meal, simply reheat the squash in the microwave or a skillet for a couple of minutes.
- Store Sauce Separately: If you want to keep your meal fresh, store the chicken Alfredo mixture separately from the spaghetti squash. This prevents the squash from soaking up too much sauce and becoming soggy. Combine them just before reheating.
- Lighten It Up: To make this dish even lighter, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or a plant-based milk like unsweetened almond or cashew milk. You can thicken it with a little extra parmesan or by reducing the sauce.
- Swap Ground Chicken:Ground turkey or lean ground beef can easily replace ground chicken. These options still keep the dish high in protein, but with different flavor profiles. You can even use shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Add More Veggies: Bulk up the dish by adding mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the Alfredo sauce. These vegetables sauté well and bring extra fiber, vitamins, and texture to the meal.
- Use Zoodles: If you can’t find spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles (zoodles) are a great alternative. They’re quick to cook and have a similar light, pasta-like texture.
- Go Dairy-Free:If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, swap the heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream, and use nutritional yeast in place of parmesan for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the spaghetti squash is fully cooked?
You’ll know the squash is ready when you can easily pierce the skin with a fork, and the flesh pulls away in spaghetti-like strands. If it’s still hard to scrape, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
What can I use instead of parmesan cheese for a different flavor?
If you want to switch up the cheese, you could try Romano cheese for a saltier bite or Pecorino for a sharper, tangier flavor. For a more mild option, mozzarella will create a gooey texture.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh baby spinach?
thaw it first and squeeze out any excess water before adding it to the sauce. This prevents the sauce from becoming watery.
Chicken and Spinach Spaghetti Squash Aflredo
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Alfredo Mixture
Spaghetti Squash
Instructions
Spaghetti Squash
Chicken Alfredo
Notes
Nutrition