Family Food on the Table

Recipes and resources for making it happen

  • Home
  • Recipes
        • By Course
          • Main Dishes
          • Side Dishes
          • Appetizers & Snacks
          • Sweets & Desserts
          • Breakfast & Brunch
          • Salads
          • Soups
          • DrinksEasy drinks, cocktails and smoothies for all kinds of fun occasions!
          • Sauces, Dressings and Condiments
          • Kid Food
            • Baby Food
            • Toddler and Kid Food
        • By Method
          • Air Fryer
          • Slow Cooker
          • Instant Pot
        • By Ingredient
          • Chicken
          • Turkey
          • Pork
          • Seafood
          • Vegetarian
  • Collections
    • E-cookbooks
    • Cooking Resources
    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes -->This collection of easy chicken dinner recipes features some of our favorite family dishes, perfect for making a healthy, delicious home cooked meal on a busy night! Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table every night can be challenging. Particularly with the demands of work, school, activities and social obligations, well, it can be the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. So I’ve got tons of easy chicken recipes at my disposal that I turn to when I need to whip something up for us on one of those busy weeknights. (Or even busy weekends – dinners can be tough then, too!) And this collection of easy chicken dinner recipes has some that we make over and over again. It includes everything from skillet chicken dinners to slow cooker chicken recipes, one-pot chicken pastas, soups and salads with chicken, chicken burgers and meatballs, sheet pan chicken dinners and easy chicken casseroles. Are you looking for fast as well as easy? Me too. I’ve got collections of chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster still, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Or if you want to browse them all, my quick chicken recipes…
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few IngredientsThese easy chicken recipes with few ingredients include some great healthy lunch and dinner options, all made with 5 or fewer ingredients! I am all about the EASY when it comes to cooking. I don’t like to fuss much over my food and I certainly don’t like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Easy chicken dinner recipes and healthy lunch recipes with chicken are much more my style. (As are chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster yet, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Cause life.) Speaking of life, a million trips to the grocery store also aren’t fun during a busy week. (Especially with little ones in tow!) So I’ve got these go-to easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that help me keep dinnertime simple. And my sanity intact. In fact, one of the first cookbooks I bought on my own, at a used bookstore in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a few years after college, was titled 3-ingredient recipes. I was pretty new to cooking and thought, I think I can handle that. My cooking skills have improved, but I still go for the simple chicken recipes…
      • Quick Chicken RecipesThis collection of quick chicken recipes features some of our favorite family dinners and go-to lunches, all ready in 30 minutes or less! From chicken skillet dinners to one-pot pastas, salads to burgers, you’re sure to find some new favorites! If you know me, you know I am ALL about the quick and easy recipes. I love making all of our homemade meals and home cooked dinners, but like you, I’ve also got a hundred other things to juggle and so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. And these quick chicken recipes include all of my chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, even faster, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Sanity savers for sure. Busy weeknights have nothing on us! A few of our favorites from these quick chicken recipes: Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli Creamy chipotle chicken 20-minute chicken and tortellini soup with kale Skillet salsa chicken Easy creamy chicken This collection also has some healthy lunch recipes with chicken for mixing up your lunch routine. (It doesn’t include my slow cooker chicken recipes though, since those aren’t ready in 30 minutes. But they can be super quick to prep in the morning and then…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pot wonders to salads, chicken skillets to tacos, you’re sure to find some new fast favorites! You know those nights when you walk in the door and need dinner pronto?! Like, 5 minutes ago? That’s when I turn to these quick and easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. I can make a healthy, home cooked meal for my family and be sitting down to enjoy it in no time. Cause plenty of evenings, 15 minutes is often all the time I have – or want to spend – on dinner. I’m not alone on that, right?! You can browse below but I thought I’d highlight a couple that I make over and over again. A few of our favorite easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes: 15-minute honey garlic chicken (gets rave reviews!) Southwest chicken skillet dinner (pile on your favorite toppings!) Quick chicken curry (perfect with rice and peas) One-pot low-carb leftover chicken recipe with spinach (my dad’s go-to recipe) This collection also includes some healthy lunch options that are quick to put together — like the Asian chicken mason jar…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pan meals to burgers, one-pot pastas to healthy salads, you’re sure to find some new favorites! Quick, easy and mostly healthy is pretty much the name of the game for dinner at my house. I love a home cooked meal and we eat a ton of chicken, which means I’ve come up with and found a lot of easy chicken recipes over the years. And this collection highlights some of my easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes, when you want something delicious but need it on the table pretty quickly. Is that every single night for you too? We’ve got everything from skillet chicken dishes to chicken pasta and from soups and salads with chicken to chicken meatballs and burgers. All the chicken love! Many of these recipes use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (though you could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer) while others use ground chicken and some rely on pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the store or some leftover grilled or baked chicken. Lots of these 30 minute chicken dinners are complete meals but…
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken DinnersHealthy one-pot chicken dinners are such a help on busy days! This collection includes everything from one-pot pastas and skillets to easy slow cooker and sheet pan recipes to help you get an easy, healthy and delicious dinner on the table any night! I am ALL about quick and easy meals. I cook our dinner 99% of the time, including on days when work has blown up in my face, or the kids have decided to coordinate their melt-downs, or we’re all just wiped out and hungry. And even though I love to cook, I definitely have those days when I’m just not feeling it. Enter some quick and easy one-pot chicken dinners for the win! These are great to have in your back pocket for busy days, busy weeks or in case of a “kids-are-making-me-crazy” kinda moment. (My husband also loves these meals because he’s on clean-up duty and it’s nice not to have a huge pile of dishes staring you down after dinner!) Many of these dishes are complete meals on their own. Others are low-carb as written, but can easily be paired with some rice, pasta, bread or potatoes to bulk them up a bit. Here are…
      • Slow Cooker Chicken RecipesThese hands-off slow cooker chicken recipes will put your slow cooker to work and have you coming home to a delicious, healthy dinner that’s ready to go! Some days, you just need someone else to make you dinner. I’m not talking takeout or delivery or a restaurant dinner. I’m talking about your crock pot or slow cooker. I find it supremely satisfying to go about my day, knowing that a delicious home cooked dinner is cooking up at home for me. I can play with the kids, take them to practices, run errands or just relax with a book and breathe easy. These slow cooker chicken recipes mean there is just one less thing to do in the evening and that’s a great thing on a busy day! This collection includes slow cooker recipes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs (though you can usually sub either one). And many of these take just minutes to prep in the morning! 👍 Here’s a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes: Slow cooker balsamic chicken Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs Slow cooker apricot chicken Crock pot Mediterranean chicken Slow cooker teriyaki chicken And be sure to check…
    • Easy Vegetarian RecipesEasy vegetarian recipes include main-dish meals that are hearty and satisfying and can stand alone for lunch or dinner (with a few savory breakfast options as well). Everything from one-pot veggie pastas to stuffed squash to chili to veggie burgers and hearty grain bowls and salads, there are meatless options here for everyone! I am a veggie lover through and through. 💚💚💚 I adore getting in as many vegetables as I can, throughout the day really, and I often make easy vegetarian dinners a couple of times a week. (Hello meatless Monday, I’m looking at you!) So over the years, I’ve created tons of great veggie-based meals that can stand on their own for lunch or dinner and be hearty and satisfying. And that are also mostly quick and easy, because I work as a health and nutrition editor and we’ve got a busy family so cooking on a weeknight needs to be low-key. My one-pot vegetarian spaghetti has been a hugely popular recipe here on the blog and you guys can’t seem to get enough of my grain bowls and salads. I know the feeling. 😉 I wanted to round up some of these in an easy-to-browse category that features…
    • Healthy Oatmeal RecipesA collection of healthy oatmeal recipes, including sweet and savory breakfast and brunch options as well as delicious, wholesome snacks and desserts. We are pretty much oatmeal fanatics in my house. ALL of us adore oatmeal and it’s a rare day that we’re not making or eating something with oats or oatmeal in it at some point during the day. And I mean all four of us – my husband, myself and our kids (currently ages 6 and 4). Our go-to 3-minute microwave oatmeal is a morning staple for my husband and a weekly staple for the kids and me. My kids eat overnight oatmeal jars at least twice a week for breakfast and we often have baked oatmeal another morning of the week. For school lunches or afternoon snack, we can be found munching on some no-bake cookie or energy balls with oats, oatmeal cookies of some variety or if they’ve asked nicely, I’ll make a batch of granola and we all just shovel handful after handful until it’s gone. Want to know some of our very favorites of the group below? OK, I’ll share! Our family’s favorite healthy oatmeal recipes: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Overnight oatmeal jars, 3…
    • Healthy Muffin RecipesA collection of easy, kid-friendly healthy muffin recipes for all times of day: breakfast, school lunch, snacking, dinner and dessert! We are BIG muffin lovers in this house, at all times of day! My kiddos love them for breakfast, brunch, school lunch, afternoon snack and sometimes even savory muffins at dinner. Muffins all the time! I’ve made thousands of healthy muffin recipes over the years and I love sharing them with you! There are plenty to browse below and plenty more I plan to add! (You can sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a recipe. You’ll also get my FREE e-book of easy weeknight dinners.) Wondering where to start? Spinach banana mini muffins and whole wheat pumpkin muffins are some of our constant favorites. Healthy peanut butter and jelly muffins are fun for lunch and easy cheesy cornbread muffins are great for a quick + easy dinner side, especially with soup or chili! And if you’re in the mood for a little chocolate (I know I always am!) you can’t go wrong with my healthy chocolate chip muffins. Hope you find some new favorite healthy muffin recipes! XO, Kathryn
    • Healthy DessertsThis collection of healthy desserts features everything from lightened up cookie bars and brownies to cakes, muffins and breads to no-bake energy bites. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with healthy choices! Healthy desserts are kind-of my jam. I like a dessert that gives back. One that has redeeming qualities. A sweet treat that’s going to treat me right. But of course, it also needs to be delicious so I actually satisfy those sweet cravings! The healthier dessert recipes you’ll find below are some of our go-to treats that are perfect for a healthier late-night option and many of which are great for offering kids a wholesome, but fun, treat for an after-school snack or tucked in their lunch box. Most of these recipes are whole grain and naturally sweetened, others are recipe makeovers that are lower in sugar and/or butter. A majority of them contain chocolate. 🍫❤️ And ALL are easy to make. (You can also check out my healthy muffin recipes and my entire category of sweets & desserts if you want more.) Here’s a few of our favorite healthy desserts: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Healthier no bake cookie bars No…
    • Healthy Fall BakingThese healthy fall baking favorites include everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to snacks to cookies and cakes. These fall recipes are whole grain and most are naturally sweetened for a wholesome, delicious treat at breakfast, snack, school lunch or dessert! Does anyone else get the baking bug when the cooler weather starts to roll in during autumn? I know I do! I get excited for all the apple baking projects, pumpkin baking projects and even getting ready for all the holiday baking to come! 🍎🎃 The spices, the warmth, the aroma of having something in the oven is just part of the season for me. Plus the love that comes from a homemade baked good – it just can’t be beat! ❤️ And y’all know my style is definitely a healthier version of baking. I use whole grains and most of my recipes are naturally sweetened. I try to lighten things up where possible and keep to mostly wholesome treats, maybe with a little indulgence here and there! 😉 Wondering where to start? Here are some of our healthy fall baking favorites: Chocolate chip apple cake Pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread Easy healthy…
  • Baby Food
    • Baby Food Cookbook
    • Beginner Baby FoodsGet started with these easy beginner baby foods, including batch cooking ideas and detailed instructions.
    • Baby Food Combinations + RecipesA collection of favorite baby food combinations and lots of recipes for baby and toddler foods.
    • Baby Food ResourcesA collection of resources, information and ideas about making homemade baby food.
  • About
    • Newsletter
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • Accessibility Statement

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash

February 1, 2018 By Kathryn Doherty

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based meal with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner!Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner! #vegetarian #stuffedsquash #plantbasedrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

This post has been sponsored by Birds Eye®, Gardein®, and Earth Balance®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well hello there, February. Where did you come from?

It was my 4-year-old who reminded me yesterday that February is coming. And this morning that it’s here.

I feel like I’ve got lots to look forward to this month – the big game this weekend, a family get together, Valentine’s Day and a blogging conference later this month with some friends – but I’m still blinking hard at the calendar and tilting my head sideways as if to ask it, “Are you sure?”

Ah well, on we go!

I’ve been doing more meatless meals so far in 2018. Partly to lighten things up and partly because you know I LOVE me some veggies!

I recently shared my easy vegetarian curry (ready in just 15 minutes), veggie burger scramble is a favorite and I’ve got another vegetarian recipe coming up for you on Monday.

And while my husband is a good sport, he generally wants a little meat added to his meals when I’m going vegetarian. #totalcarnivore

But these southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash are so hearty and filling, even he was all set!

Close up side angle of Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash with meatballs on top and cilantro sprinkled over everything

And these spaghetti squash bowls are incredibly easy to put together with just a few ingredients.

Yup, we’re doing some smart shortcuts here to get a delicious dinner on the table with as little effort as possible!

I swung through Walmart to snag these few ingredients in the grocery section — Earth Balance is in the refrigerated section while the Birds Eye protein blend and Gardein meatballs are in the frozen section — and I was ready to make a meal!

Ingredients to make southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash laid out on a blue Walmart bag Prepped ingredients to make southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash laid out on a blue Walmart bag

(So yes, you can get some great plant-based options at Walmart. Go check them out at your local store!)

I think too, having tasty, convenient and versatile products like these on hand really helps in sticking to a nourishing eating plan.

Cause life doesn’t always want to slow down when I want it to, and I still want to make a home cooked meal to serve my family.

So having a few go-tos in the fridge and freezer makes it easy to whip up something on a busy weeknight.

Roasted spaghetti squash with a pat of butter and a bowl of quinoa black bean blend and vegetarian meatballs

You know what else was great about this recipe?

NO clean-up!

That’s right. I line my baking sheet to roast the spaghetti squash, lined a toaster oven sheet to cook the meatballs and the Birds Eye blend cooks in its own pouch in the microwave.

So you literally just have to clean the plates you eat off of. Hello, dinner time WIN!

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner! #vegetarian #stuffedsquash #plantbasedrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

A few notes on this southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash:

  • To make this easy and efficient, I get the spaghetti squash into the oven and then prep the rest of the ingredients and any toppings I’m going to use.
  • I baked my Gardein meatballs in a toaster oven, but you can also do them in a skillet or the microwave. The package has directions for all three methods, so do whatever is easiest for you.
  • As for the toppings, I’ve got lots of ideas for you. Salsa, shredded cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado or guacamole, Greek yogurt or sour cream, hot sauce or sriracha are all great on top of these southwestern spaghetti squash boats.

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner! #vegetarian #stuffedsquash #plantbasedrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

I hope you give this a try for a new, easy and super flavorful vegetarian dinner.

Have a great weekend!

XO,

Kathryn

Check out these other stuffed squash recipes:

  • Stuffed butternut squash with quinoa, mushrooms and spinach (Family Food on the Table)
  • Sausage and peppers stuffed spaghetti squash (Nutmeg Nanny)
  • Apple-stuffed acorn squash (A Family Feast)
  • Sausage and kale stuffed spaghetti squash (Family Food on the Table)
Yield: 4 servings

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner! #vegetarian #stuffedsquash #plantbasedrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 medium spaghetti squash
  • 1/4 cup Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 (10 oz.) bags Birds Eye Steamfresh Protein Blends Southwest Style
  • 1 (12.7 oz.) bag Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs

Optional toppings

  • Salsa, shredded cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado or guacamole, Greek yogurt or sour cream, hot sauce or sriracha

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. (You may need two baking sheets.)
  2. Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. (For easier cutting, you can microwave each squash for about 5 minutes to soften it.)
  3. Place each squash half, cut side down, on baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the squash is tender. (Exact timing will depend on the size of your squash. You’ll be able to tell by pushing on the outside or putting a fork into the inner strands of the inside of the squash if it’s tender.)
  5. While the squash is cooking, prep the fillings and toppings.
  6. Cook the meatballs according to the package directions. You can heat them in a sauté pan, toaster oven or the microwave.
  7. Microwave the Birds Eye blend according to the package directions.
  8. Once the spaghetti squash is cooked and cool enough to handle, use a fork to pull the spaghetti shreds from the inside of each squash half. Be sure to leave a little bit around the outside so the squash keeps its shape.
  9. Add a tablespoon of Earth Balance to each spaghetti squash half, along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, and stir to melt and combine with the spaghetti squash noodles.
  10. Divide each bag of the Southwest blend among the spaghetti squash boats and top each with 3 Garden meatballs.
  11. Add additional desired toppings and serve!

Notes

I baked my Gardein meatballs in a toaster oven, but you can also do them in a skillet or the microwave. The package has directions for all three methods, so do whatever is easiest for you.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 612mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 11gSugar: 15gProtein: 18g
© Kathryn Doherty
Cuisine: American / Category: Easy Vegetarian Recipes

Southwest vegetarian stuffed spaghetti squash is a hearty and satisfying plant-based recipe with great flavor and textures. Add your favorite toppings and dig into this delicious dinner! #vegetarian #stuffedsquash #plantbasedrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

Related Posts

  • Kale Caesar saladKale Caesar salad
  • Arugula salad with peaches, pecans and goat cheeseArugula salad with peaches, pecans and goat cheese
  • Massaged kale salad with cherries, pecans and ParmesanMassaged kale salad with cherries, pecans and Parmesan
  • Easy sesame asparagus (6 ingredients!)Easy sesame asparagus (6 ingredients!)
  • Mom’s classic Southern deviled eggs (+ video)Mom’s classic Southern deviled eggs (+ video)
  • Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrupSweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup

Filed Under: Easy Vegetarian Recipes, Main dishes, Vegetarian

« Crunchy BBQ roasted chickpeas
Kale black bean quinoa sauté {meal kit} »

Comments

  1. Becca | Rabbit Food Runner says

    February 1, 2018 at 10:01 AM

    The protein blend looks great! I have yet to try Gardein but will have to give it a go!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      February 1, 2018 at 6:36 PM

      Thanks Becca! You should definitely try Gardein – we ADORE these meatballs!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a health and nutrition editor, cookbook author, wife, mother of two kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me

Search this site

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Popular Recipes

Creamy chicken skillet with mushrooms and mozzarella
Curry ground turkey with rice and peas is full of warm, rich flavors but is super quick and easy to make! This 20-minute recipe is great for a weeknight dinner! #curry #turkeycurry #groundturkey #easydinners #quickdinners
Crock pot honey garlic chicken served in a bowl with green onions sprinkled on top
This quick and easy Southwest chicken skillet dinner uses rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, canned beans and simple spices for a delicious meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes! #easychickendinner #onepotrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
Quick chicken curry is an easy, one-pan recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes -- perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
A 5-ingredient, 15-minute honey garlic chicken with an addictively delicious sauce - a perfect weeknight dinner recipe!

Food & Recipes

  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Breakfast
  • Apps & Snacks
  • All Recipes

Search this site

Follow me!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Baby Food Cookbook

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Copyright © 2021 · Family Food on the Table

Sign up for new recipes and get my FREE e-cookbook!
Sign up for new recipes and you'll get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!
Introduce yourself and your program
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.