Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Adapted from Loaves & Fishes Cookbook

Looking to add a healthy dish to your repertoire?  Well, this is the casserole for you!  (especially if you decided to leave out the bacon...)  In the fall I am obsessed with squash.  I have been in love with butternut squash for years, but really just discovered spaghetti squash this year.  It's great as a substitute for noodles and really easy to cook!  As usual, my husband was a bit skeptical of this new recipe, but was pleasantly surprised.  It's also great for leftovers!

Ingredients: 

• 2 1/2 lbs spaghetti squash
• 3 T vegetable oil
• 1 large yellow onion, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• Salt & pepper, to tatste
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 6-8 pieces of bacon
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 3 T basil, chopped
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut squash in half, scoop out seeds and lay skin side down on cookie sheet.  Bake approximately 45 minutes or until soft.  Use a fork to scoop out spaghetti strands.
2. Heat vegetable oil on high in a large skillet and add onion, red bell peppers, garlic, oregano and salt and pepper.  Sauté 4 minutes and then continue to cook uncovered until liquid evaporates.  Remove from heat.
3. Cook the bacon in a skillet on medium-high heat until crisp.  Crumble bacon and set aside.  Cook the lean ground turkey in a skillet until meat is no longer pink.  Set aside. 
4. Stir in spaghetti strands, bacon, ground turkey, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, 2 Tablespoons of basil and the bread crumbs.  Put mixture in a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish. 
5. Mix together Parmesan cheese and remaining basil.  Sprinkle on top.  Cover casserole dish with foil and cook for 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

Notes:  Serve with extra Parmesan cheese.  Consider adding mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or capers to dish.  Also would be yummy substituting Feta cheese for the cottage or mozzarella cheese.