• About
  • Contact

Gina Gibson

simple, healthy, meals

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Smoothies & Juices
  • Lifestyle
    • Mom Life
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Kitchen
    • Home
    • Beauty
    • Dress Me
    • Baby & Toddler
  • Homemade Products

Roasted Spaghetti Squash With Sauce and Cheese

September 19, 2019 by Gina +

Sometimes the simplest meals are the easiest to forget about. For me, that’s roasted spaghetti squash with some sauce and cheese. I get caught up in testing recipes or trying new ones from cookbooks and magazines. Then I completely forget about some of my simple favorites, like this one.

My husband grows the most beautiful spaghetti squash. I don’t mind buying it, but something about homegrown gets me really excited to eat it. Since I don’t always remember to pick one up from the store, the garden makes it very convenient to have one for an easy dinner. If you aren’t a gardener like my husband, just pick one up, along with some sauce and cheese for a healthy meal. It’s actually quite delicious even plain with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.

If we don’t have them growing, and I can remember to buy them from the store, I love to keep a couple in the pantry. They last for a long time and when you need a healthy dinner, it’s a great thing to cook. It takes a while to roast in the oven, but other than that, spaghetti squash is one of the easiest, most minimal ingredient meals. Cut, clean out the seeds, throw a little olive oil and salt on it, then roast. That’s it! How simple is that? With this one, I add some sauce and top with mozzarella then bake for just a few more minutes to make more of a spaghetti dish. It’s so filling and delicious, you won’t miss the pasta.

Ingredients needed for the Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad

  • Napa cabbage, shredded. You could also use a full bag of pre shredded cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Bell pepper – red is the best in this salad
  • Cilantro
  • Green onion
  • 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
    • For the Dressing
  • Peanut butter
  • Rice vinegar
  • Tamari
  • Garlic
  • Honey
  • Sesame oil
  • Ginger – fresh but dried works in a pinch
  • Lime

How to make Chicken Tacos

  • Cut the squash in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
  • Drizzle a little olive oil, salt, and pepper over the inside.
  • Place the squash halves cut side down, meaning the ‘meat’ of the squash in face down on a baking sheet.
  • Roast then remove. Allow to cool until you can handle the squash. Using a fork, scrape the insides creating ‘spaghetti’
  • Add sauce and cheese if you’re adding that, then cook for just a little longer. Until cheese is melted

Why we love this recipe…

  • A hearty, filling salad
  • Full of tons of fresh vegetables to make you feel good and stay full.
  • Protein packed too!
  • Easy and makes plenty of leftovers if needed.

More recipes you will like…

Mexican Street Corn Salad
Buffalo Vegan Chick’n Salad
Tomato, Cucumber, Feta Salad

Tips for the Chicken Salad

  • You can cut and take out the seeds earlier on, then just bake it when you’re ready. Of bake early too and cut add the sauce and cheese when you are ready to serve
  • Cook an extra one for easy meals later in the week.
  • If you cook extra, change up the toppings with some meatballs, pesto, or a difference pasta sauce. Even plain is very good!
Gina

Chicken Tacos

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Servings: 10 small tacos
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Tacos
  • 2 Bell peppers, finely diced Recommend red and orange and using the food processor
  • 1 onion, finely diced Recommend using a food processor with the onion
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 cup crushed tomatos
  • Salt & pepper
  • Tortillas
Suggested Toppings
  • Shredded lettuce
  • cheese
  • diced tomatoes and avocados
  • salsa or guacamole

Method
 

  1. Start by finely dicing bell peppers and onion. I find a food processor is an easy and quick way to do this.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a little oil and saute the onion and peppers for about 10 minutes until soft.
  3. Add the garlic and seasoing with 1tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cook for a minute.
  4. Add the chicken and break it apart with a spatula. Cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes. Let the filling cook for about 5 – 10 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  6. Prep the toppings and warm the tortillas while the chicken is cooking.
  7. Assemble tacos and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

You might also like:

Miso Bean Chili Default ThumbnailStuffed Sweet Potato Default ThumbnailRed Lentil Dahl Default ThumbnailChickpea Jalapeno Veggie Burger

Filed Under: Dinners, Recipes Tagged With: baked, meatless monday, mozarella, sauce, spaghetti squash, squash, vegetarian

Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ My w Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ

My whole family loved this dinner and it will absolutely be on repeat. The combination of crispy chicken, marinara-coated pasta, creamy burrata, basil, and Parmesan is so simple but so good.

Ingredients#
2 large chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
8 ounces pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 ball burrata (or 2 if you want)
Fresh basil
Extra Parmesan

Instructions

Cook the pasta. Season the chicken and bread with flour, egg, and panko mixed with Parmesan. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until crispy. (Or bake at 425 for 18 minutes) Warm the marinara and toss with the pasta. Assemble bowls with pasta, sliced chicken, a little more Parmesan, burrata, and basil. 

Save this for your next easy dinner idea.
The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house loves

Make sure youโ€™re following @gina_gibson_cooks for easy healthier recipes and save this one. I promise youโ€™ll love it. 

Theyโ€™re packed with protein from eggs, sausage, cottage cheese, and cheese.

Ingredients:
1 lb breakfast sausage
4 eggs (scrambled)
1 egg (mixed in)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt + pepper

Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet until browned. Push to one side and scramble 4 eggs.

Add sausage + eggs to a bowl with 1 more egg, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.

Scoop with a 2 tbsp scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 375ยฐF for about 18 minutes, or until golden. Makes about 15 biscuits.
A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco s A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco skillet. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes.

1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375ยฐF. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping

Save this for your next quick dinner night.
2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potato 2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potatoes the first night sandwiches after that

The sauce is the real star here. Savory, rich, and packed with flavor from the miso, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.

2 lb chuck roast
Salt + pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white miso paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1ยฝ cups beef broth
1 tsp sesame 

Mashed potatoes, for serving

Season the chuck roast well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pan and sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned.

In a bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, beef broth, and sesame.

Pour the sauce over the roast, cover, and braise at 300ยฐF for about 3 to 3ยฝ hours until the beef is fall apart tender.

Remove the meat and shred or slice it. Simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5โ€“10 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Serve over mashed potatoes and spoon all that sauce right on top.
Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsup Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsupps Ricket blasts are getting us there. Limited time. Whatโ€™s your fave poolside or beach bev?!

#giftedbyoom
#bloompop
Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice ๐Ÿค

This might be one of my favorite easy dinners lately. The buttery garlic shrimp, blistered tomatoes, cilantro lime rice, and salty feta all work so well together

Youโ€™ll need 
1 pound shrimp
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic minced
juice of 1 lemon
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of 1 lime
crumbled feta for topping 
salt, and pepper.

Cook the rice and mix with chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a little salt. Add olive oil to a hot skillet and cook the cherry tomatoes until blistered and softened. Push the tomatoes to the side of the skillet, then add butter, garlic, and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the shrimp are pink and lightly golden. Squeeze in the lemon juice and mix everything together with the tomatoes. Spoon over the cilantro lime rice and top with feta.

Save this for an easy weeknight dinner and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family meals and Dinner Diaries ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ
Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ My w Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ

My whole family loved this dinner and it will absolutely be on repeat. The combination of crispy chicken, marinara-coated pasta, creamy burrata, basil, and Parmesan is so simple but so good.

Ingredients#
2 large chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
8 ounces pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 ball burrata (or 2 if you want)
Fresh basil
Extra Parmesan

Instructions

Cook the pasta. Season the chicken and bread with flour, egg, and panko mixed with Parmesan. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until crispy. (Or bake at 425 for 18 minutes) Warm the marinara and toss with the pasta. Assemble bowls with pasta, sliced chicken, a little more Parmesan, burrata, and basil. 

Save this for your next easy dinner idea.
The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house loves

Make sure youโ€™re following @gina_gibson_cooks for easy healthier recipes and save this one. I promise youโ€™ll love it. 

Theyโ€™re packed with protein from eggs, sausage, cottage cheese, and cheese.

Ingredients:
1 lb breakfast sausage
4 eggs (scrambled)
1 egg (mixed in)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt + pepper

Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet until browned. Push to one side and scramble 4 eggs.

Add sausage + eggs to a bowl with 1 more egg, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.

Scoop with a 2 tbsp scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 375ยฐF for about 18 minutes, or until golden. Makes about 15 biscuits.
A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco s A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco skillet. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes.

1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375ยฐF. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping

Save this for your next quick dinner night.
2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potato 2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potatoes the first night sandwiches after that

The sauce is the real star here. Savory, rich, and packed with flavor from the miso, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.

2 lb chuck roast
Salt + pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white miso paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1ยฝ cups beef broth
1 tsp sesame 

Mashed potatoes, for serving

Season the chuck roast well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pan and sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned.

In a bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, beef broth, and sesame.

Pour the sauce over the roast, cover, and braise at 300ยฐF for about 3 to 3ยฝ hours until the beef is fall apart tender.

Remove the meat and shred or slice it. Simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5โ€“10 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Serve over mashed potatoes and spoon all that sauce right on top.
Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsup Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsupps Ricket blasts are getting us there. Limited time. Whatโ€™s your fave poolside or beach bev?!

#giftedbyoom
#bloompop
Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice ๐Ÿค

This might be one of my favorite easy dinners lately. The buttery garlic shrimp, blistered tomatoes, cilantro lime rice, and salty feta all work so well together

Youโ€™ll need 
1 pound shrimp
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic minced
juice of 1 lemon
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of 1 lime
crumbled feta for topping 
salt, and pepper.

Cook the rice and mix with chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a little salt. Add olive oil to a hot skillet and cook the cherry tomatoes until blistered and softened. Push the tomatoes to the side of the skillet, then add butter, garlic, and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the shrimp are pink and lightly golden. Squeeze in the lemon juice and mix everything together with the tomatoes. Spoon over the cilantro lime rice and top with feta.

Save this for an easy weeknight dinner and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family meals and Dinner Diaries ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ
Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ My w Crispy Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Burrata ๐Ÿ

My whole family loved this dinner and it will absolutely be on repeat. The combination of crispy chicken, marinara-coated pasta, creamy burrata, basil, and Parmesan is so simple but so good.

Ingredients#
2 large chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
8 ounces pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 ball burrata (or 2 if you want)
Fresh basil
Extra Parmesan

Instructions

Cook the pasta. Season the chicken and bread with flour, egg, and panko mixed with Parmesan. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until crispy. (Or bake at 425 for 18 minutes) Warm the marinara and toss with the pasta. Assemble bowls with pasta, sliced chicken, a little more Parmesan, burrata, and basil. 

Save this for your next easy dinner idea.
The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house The higher protein breakfast everyone in my house loves

Make sure youโ€™re following @gina_gibson_cooks for easy healthier recipes and save this one. I promise youโ€™ll love it. 

Theyโ€™re packed with protein from eggs, sausage, cottage cheese, and cheese.

Ingredients:
1 lb breakfast sausage
4 eggs (scrambled)
1 egg (mixed in)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt + pepper

Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet until browned. Push to one side and scramble 4 eggs.

Add sausage + eggs to a bowl with 1 more egg, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.

Scoop with a 2 tbsp scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 375ยฐF for about 18 minutes, or until golden. Makes about 15 biscuits.
A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco s A cheesy, hearty, high protein taco skillet taco skillet. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have. It bakes in the oven for an easy, hands-off dinner and comes together in under 40 minutes.

1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup blended cottage cheese
1 (15 oz) jar salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese blend
1 package taco seasoning
*chips, sour cream, avocado for topping and scooping

Preheat oven to 375ยฐF. In an oven-safe skillet, cook ground beef and onion on medium heat until beef is browned.

Stir in taco seasoning. Add salsa, cottage cheese, the rice, then 1/2 cup water. Mix well.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes

Remove from oven, top with cheese. Serve with sour cream, avocado, and plenty of chips for scooping

Save this for your next quick dinner night.
2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potato 2 lb chuck roast, multiple dinners โ€” mashed potatoes the first night sandwiches after that

The sauce is the real star here. Savory, rich, and packed with flavor from the miso, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.

2 lb chuck roast
Salt + pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white miso paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1ยฝ cups beef broth
1 tsp sesame 

Mashed potatoes, for serving

Season the chuck roast well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pan and sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned.

In a bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, beef broth, and sesame.

Pour the sauce over the roast, cover, and braise at 300ยฐF for about 3 to 3ยฝ hours until the beef is fall apart tender.

Remove the meat and shred or slice it. Simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5โ€“10 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Serve over mashed potatoes and spoon all that sauce right on top.
Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsup Unlocking summer. Iโ€™m so ready and these @bloomsupps Ricket blasts are getting us there. Limited time. Whatโ€™s your fave poolside or beach bev?!

#giftedbyoom
#bloompop
Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice Lemon Butter Shrimp Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice ๐Ÿค

This might be one of my favorite easy dinners lately. The buttery garlic shrimp, blistered tomatoes, cilantro lime rice, and salty feta all work so well together

Youโ€™ll need 
1 pound shrimp
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic minced
juice of 1 lemon
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of 1 lime
crumbled feta for topping 
salt, and pepper.

Cook the rice and mix with chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a little salt. Add olive oil to a hot skillet and cook the cherry tomatoes until blistered and softened. Push the tomatoes to the side of the skillet, then add butter, garlic, and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the shrimp are pink and lightly golden. Squeeze in the lemon juice and mix everything together with the tomatoes. Spoon over the cilantro lime rice and top with feta.

Save this for an easy weeknight dinner and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy family meals and Dinner Diaries ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

Copyright © 2026 ยท Daphne v2 ยท Designed by Designer Blogs