• 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

Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich Follow along Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich

Follow along for easy, family-friendly meals ๐Ÿค

Crispy bacon, juicy chicken, melted mozzarella, creamy avocado, and all layered onto a toasted sandwich roll. Itโ€™s simple, high protein, and so good for lunch or an easy dinner.

Ingredients:
2 slices bacon
1 small chicken breast, pounded thin
All-purpose chicken seasoning
Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Sandwich roll
Mayonnaise
1/2 avocado, mashed with salt
Lettuce
Tomato

Directions:
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove and set aside. Remove some of the grease from the pan.

Season a thinly pounded chicken breast generously with chicken seasoning and cook in the same pan until golden and cooked through. Once flipped, top with freshly grated mozzarella and let melt.

Spread mayonnaise onto one side of a sandwich roll and mashed salted avocado onto the other side.

Layer with bacon, cheesy chicken, lettuce, and tomato.

Save this easy sandwich recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos Follow al Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos
Follow along for easy, family-friendly dinners ๐Ÿค

These healthy chicken Caesar smashburger tacos are one of my favorite easy high-protein dinners lately. Crispy seasoned chicken pressed onto tortillas, topped with Caesar salad and Parmesan. Theyโ€™re quick, flavorful, and so good for busy nights.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken
8 mini tortillas
Salt Pepper Garlic powder
chopped Romaine lettuce
Caesar dressing
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Press a thin layer of ground chicken onto each tortilla and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken side down onto a hot skillet and cook for about 4 minutes until golden and cooked through. Flip and cook the tortilla side for another 2 to 3 minutes until slightly crispy.
Great and Parmesan on top of the chicken. Honey.

Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing. Top each taco with the Caesar salad mixture and more parm.

These are crispy, high protein, and so easy to make.

Save this easy dinner recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘ All the High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘

All the cozy stuffed pepper flavors but turned into a creamy cheesy skillet pasta thatโ€™s so easy for weeknights

Ingredients

12 oz pasta 
1 lb ground Italian chicken sausage or sausage of choice 
1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
3 bell peppers diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tsp Italian seasoning
ยฝ tsp salt
ยผ tsp pepper
1ยฝ cups marinara sauce
1 cup blended 
ยพ cup mozzarella cheese
ยผ cup parmesan cheese
2 cups spinach

Instructions

cook pasta until al dente

brown sausage and cook peppers and onion until soft. Add to pasta. 

Blend the cottage cheese and marinara 

Stir the blended sauce and seasoning into the beverage and pasta mixture. 

add pasta spinach and cheese and stir until creamy
If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakf If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakfast burrito at homeโ€ฆ this is the one.

Crispy hashbrown, bacon, creamy avocado, and a soft cheesy egg layer, all wrapped up and toasted until golden. Itโ€™s simple, filling, and always a hit.

How to make it
Cook 1 hashbrown patty until crispy
Cook 2 slices of bacon, then remove and leave a little fat in the pan
Whisk 2 eggs and pour into a nonstick pan, spreading thin
Top with cheese and keep the eggs soft (donโ€™t overcook)
Fold into a rectangle and set aside

Assemble:
Mash 1/2 avocado with a little salt and mix with chopped bacon
Spread onto a warmed bun buntortilla
Add chopped hashbrown and the egg
Fold the sides in, then roll tightly

Tips:
Donโ€™t overfill and make sure everything is tucked in well
Place seam side down in a pan to crisp the tortilla

Serve with hot sauce and youโ€™re done

Save this one for later and follow for more easy meal ideas
One of my favorite things to order out. The Hills One of my favorite things to order out.

The Hillstone Dip Duo dupe. Smoky chipotle pimento cheese, fresh guac, salty tortilla chipsโ€ฆ itโ€™s dangerously good and PERFECT for Cinco de Mayo or any gathering. 

For the chipotle pimento cheese dip, mix together 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup softened whipped cream cheese, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons diced pimentos, 1 chipotle peppers in adobo (or half if you like it less Smokey)  plus a little adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon finely grated yellow onion, and Lawryโ€™s seasoned salt to taste. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so the flavors can meld together.  Let all your cheeses come to room temperature so they can blend easier.

For the guacamole, mash together 2 ripe avocados with finely diced onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt to taste.

Serve both dips side by side with salty tortilla chips @masa_chips

Save this Hillstone dip duo dupe for your next party, game day, or Cinco de Mayo spread
POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyo POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyone will eat. 

These high protein breakfast biscuits have been on repeat in my house. Theyโ€™re easy, meal prep-friendly, and perfect for busy mornings when you need something you can just grab and go.

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.

These are high protein, freezer-friendly, and perfect for meal prep breakfasts ๐Ÿ™Œ
Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich Follow along Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich

Follow along for easy, family-friendly meals ๐Ÿค

Crispy bacon, juicy chicken, melted mozzarella, creamy avocado, and all layered onto a toasted sandwich roll. Itโ€™s simple, high protein, and so good for lunch or an easy dinner.

Ingredients:
2 slices bacon
1 small chicken breast, pounded thin
All-purpose chicken seasoning
Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Sandwich roll
Mayonnaise
1/2 avocado, mashed with salt
Lettuce
Tomato

Directions:
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove and set aside. Remove some of the grease from the pan.

Season a thinly pounded chicken breast generously with chicken seasoning and cook in the same pan until golden and cooked through. Once flipped, top with freshly grated mozzarella and let melt.

Spread mayonnaise onto one side of a sandwich roll and mashed salted avocado onto the other side.

Layer with bacon, cheesy chicken, lettuce, and tomato.

Save this easy sandwich recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos Follow al Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos
Follow along for easy, family-friendly dinners ๐Ÿค

These healthy chicken Caesar smashburger tacos are one of my favorite easy high-protein dinners lately. Crispy seasoned chicken pressed onto tortillas, topped with Caesar salad and Parmesan. Theyโ€™re quick, flavorful, and so good for busy nights.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken
8 mini tortillas
Salt Pepper Garlic powder
chopped Romaine lettuce
Caesar dressing
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Press a thin layer of ground chicken onto each tortilla and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken side down onto a hot skillet and cook for about 4 minutes until golden and cooked through. Flip and cook the tortilla side for another 2 to 3 minutes until slightly crispy.
Great and Parmesan on top of the chicken. Honey.

Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing. Top each taco with the Caesar salad mixture and more parm.

These are crispy, high protein, and so easy to make.

Save this easy dinner recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘ All the High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘

All the cozy stuffed pepper flavors but turned into a creamy cheesy skillet pasta thatโ€™s so easy for weeknights

Ingredients

12 oz pasta 
1 lb ground Italian chicken sausage or sausage of choice 
1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
3 bell peppers diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tsp Italian seasoning
ยฝ tsp salt
ยผ tsp pepper
1ยฝ cups marinara sauce
1 cup blended 
ยพ cup mozzarella cheese
ยผ cup parmesan cheese
2 cups spinach

Instructions

cook pasta until al dente

brown sausage and cook peppers and onion until soft. Add to pasta. 

Blend the cottage cheese and marinara 

Stir the blended sauce and seasoning into the beverage and pasta mixture. 

add pasta spinach and cheese and stir until creamy
If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakf If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakfast burrito at homeโ€ฆ this is the one.

Crispy hashbrown, bacon, creamy avocado, and a soft cheesy egg layer, all wrapped up and toasted until golden. Itโ€™s simple, filling, and always a hit.

How to make it
Cook 1 hashbrown patty until crispy
Cook 2 slices of bacon, then remove and leave a little fat in the pan
Whisk 2 eggs and pour into a nonstick pan, spreading thin
Top with cheese and keep the eggs soft (donโ€™t overcook)
Fold into a rectangle and set aside

Assemble:
Mash 1/2 avocado with a little salt and mix with chopped bacon
Spread onto a warmed bun buntortilla
Add chopped hashbrown and the egg
Fold the sides in, then roll tightly

Tips:
Donโ€™t overfill and make sure everything is tucked in well
Place seam side down in a pan to crisp the tortilla

Serve with hot sauce and youโ€™re done

Save this one for later and follow for more easy meal ideas
One of my favorite things to order out. The Hills One of my favorite things to order out.

The Hillstone Dip Duo dupe. Smoky chipotle pimento cheese, fresh guac, salty tortilla chipsโ€ฆ itโ€™s dangerously good and PERFECT for Cinco de Mayo or any gathering. 

For the chipotle pimento cheese dip, mix together 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup softened whipped cream cheese, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons diced pimentos, 1 chipotle peppers in adobo (or half if you like it less Smokey)  plus a little adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon finely grated yellow onion, and Lawryโ€™s seasoned salt to taste. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so the flavors can meld together.  Let all your cheeses come to room temperature so they can blend easier.

For the guacamole, mash together 2 ripe avocados with finely diced onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt to taste.

Serve both dips side by side with salty tortilla chips @masa_chips

Save this Hillstone dip duo dupe for your next party, game day, or Cinco de Mayo spread
POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyo POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyone will eat. 

These high protein breakfast biscuits have been on repeat in my house. Theyโ€™re easy, meal prep-friendly, and perfect for busy mornings when you need something you can just grab and go.

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.

These are high protein, freezer-friendly, and perfect for meal prep breakfasts ๐Ÿ™Œ
Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich Follow along Easy Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich

Follow along for easy, family-friendly meals ๐Ÿค

Crispy bacon, juicy chicken, melted mozzarella, creamy avocado, and all layered onto a toasted sandwich roll. Itโ€™s simple, high protein, and so good for lunch or an easy dinner.

Ingredients:
2 slices bacon
1 small chicken breast, pounded thin
All-purpose chicken seasoning
Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Sandwich roll
Mayonnaise
1/2 avocado, mashed with salt
Lettuce
Tomato

Directions:
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove and set aside. Remove some of the grease from the pan.

Season a thinly pounded chicken breast generously with chicken seasoning and cook in the same pan until golden and cooked through. Once flipped, top with freshly grated mozzarella and let melt.

Spread mayonnaise onto one side of a sandwich roll and mashed salted avocado onto the other side.

Layer with bacon, cheesy chicken, lettuce, and tomato.

Save this easy sandwich recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos Follow al Healthy Chicken Caesar Smashburger Tacos
Follow along for easy, family-friendly dinners ๐Ÿค

These healthy chicken Caesar smashburger tacos are one of my favorite easy high-protein dinners lately. Crispy seasoned chicken pressed onto tortillas, topped with Caesar salad and Parmesan. Theyโ€™re quick, flavorful, and so good for busy nights.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken
8 mini tortillas
Salt Pepper Garlic powder
chopped Romaine lettuce
Caesar dressing
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Press a thin layer of ground chicken onto each tortilla and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken side down onto a hot skillet and cook for about 4 minutes until golden and cooked through. Flip and cook the tortilla side for another 2 to 3 minutes until slightly crispy.
Great and Parmesan on top of the chicken. Honey.

Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing. Top each taco with the Caesar salad mixture and more parm.

These are crispy, high protein, and so easy to make.

Save this easy dinner recipe for later and follow for more quick meal ideas.
High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘ All the High protein stuffed bell pepper pasta ๐Ÿ๐Ÿซ‘

All the cozy stuffed pepper flavors but turned into a creamy cheesy skillet pasta thatโ€™s so easy for weeknights

Ingredients

12 oz pasta 
1 lb ground Italian chicken sausage or sausage of choice 
1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
3 bell peppers diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tsp Italian seasoning
ยฝ tsp salt
ยผ tsp pepper
1ยฝ cups marinara sauce
1 cup blended 
ยพ cup mozzarella cheese
ยผ cup parmesan cheese
2 cups spinach

Instructions

cook pasta until al dente

brown sausage and cook peppers and onion until soft. Add to pasta. 

Blend the cottage cheese and marinara 

Stir the blended sauce and seasoning into the beverage and pasta mixture. 

add pasta spinach and cheese and stir until creamy
If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakf If youโ€™ve been trying to make a really good breakfast burrito at homeโ€ฆ this is the one.

Crispy hashbrown, bacon, creamy avocado, and a soft cheesy egg layer, all wrapped up and toasted until golden. Itโ€™s simple, filling, and always a hit.

How to make it
Cook 1 hashbrown patty until crispy
Cook 2 slices of bacon, then remove and leave a little fat in the pan
Whisk 2 eggs and pour into a nonstick pan, spreading thin
Top with cheese and keep the eggs soft (donโ€™t overcook)
Fold into a rectangle and set aside

Assemble:
Mash 1/2 avocado with a little salt and mix with chopped bacon
Spread onto a warmed bun buntortilla
Add chopped hashbrown and the egg
Fold the sides in, then roll tightly

Tips:
Donโ€™t overfill and make sure everything is tucked in well
Place seam side down in a pan to crisp the tortilla

Serve with hot sauce and youโ€™re done

Save this one for later and follow for more easy meal ideas
One of my favorite things to order out. The Hills One of my favorite things to order out.

The Hillstone Dip Duo dupe. Smoky chipotle pimento cheese, fresh guac, salty tortilla chipsโ€ฆ itโ€™s dangerously good and PERFECT for Cinco de Mayo or any gathering. 

For the chipotle pimento cheese dip, mix together 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup softened whipped cream cheese, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons diced pimentos, 1 chipotle peppers in adobo (or half if you like it less Smokey)  plus a little adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon finely grated yellow onion, and Lawryโ€™s seasoned salt to taste. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so the flavors can meld together.  Let all your cheeses come to room temperature so they can blend easier.

For the guacamole, mash together 2 ripe avocados with finely diced onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt to taste.

Serve both dips side by side with salty tortilla chips @masa_chips

Save this Hillstone dip duo dupe for your next party, game day, or Cinco de Mayo spread
POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyo POV: you need a high-protein breakfast that everyone will eat. 

These high protein breakfast biscuits have been on repeat in my house. Theyโ€™re easy, meal prep-friendly, and perfect for busy mornings when you need something you can just grab and go.

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.

These are high protein, freezer-friendly, and perfect for meal prep breakfasts ๐Ÿ™Œ

Copyright © 2026 ยท Daphne v2 ยท Designed by Designer Blogs