A lighter and healthier version of a classic comfort food just in time for the colder weather. Turkey Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats is big on flavour and packed full of the stuff your family loves like cheese, a creamy sauce and turkey!
This recipe and post are sponsored by Turkey Farmers of Canada. As always, all opinions are my own.
It’s well documented that I’m not a fan of the cold. Any recipe that I’ve posted from September onwards usually has some mention to the dread of autumn, the sadness of saying goodbye to summer and that I am vehemently in favour of wearing my Birkenstocks until the snow is here to stay. I’ll wear gloves, a warm jacket, maybe a toque, but my feet will be bare until absolutely necessary. Flipflops ‘till it snows, y’all.
Admittedly, the change of seasons does bring some good. The holidays, for example, and the ever-present need for warm, hearty comfort food. These are some things I can really get behind, especially the food part. With autumn, comes squash season, and sure, that means pumpkins, but I’m a fan of other varieties, particularly spaghetti squash.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
- Creamy, homemade Alfredo Sauce: Most folks make this sauce entirely with heavy cream, but in the name of smarter choices, I like to make mine with whole milk and just a splash of cream. I still use a generous dose of cheese and loads of garlic.
- Protein of choice – Turkey: Perhaps my favourite way to switch-up this pasta dish (other than swapping noodles for squash) is to add leftover turkey. If you’re anything like me, you popped a load of leftover turkey into the freezer after the holidays to use at a later date. Well friends, today is that later date.
- Spaghetti Squash: The most common way to use spaghetti squash is as a low-carb pasta substitute, which is my favourite way to enjoy it. It allows us to indulge in rich comfort foods in a smarter way. Plus, with this recipe, the shell of the squash also acts as the vessel to serve the meal in. Fewer carbs and fewer dishes = win-win.
Tips for making Turkey Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats
The first step is to roast the spaghetti squash in the oven. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, brush the insides with oil and roast in the oven cut side down. Roasting this way will prevent any moisture from pooling in the bottom of the squash which can make things soggy.
It should come as no surprise that we love turkey around here. It’s our protein of choice when we want to add some variety to old favourites, and because it’s a delicious lean protein. Adding leftover turkey to this alfredo spaghetti squash also helps make it extra filling and nutritious. And since it’s leftovers (read: already cooked) it cuts down on prep time, which is huge for me, because my daughter is a little ball of energy and I’d rather spend my time playing with her, than spending hours and hours in the kitchen for one meal.
Speaking of time, if you want to speed things up at dinner time, a little planning ahead the night before is all it takes. The spaghetti squash can be roasted the night before and stored in the fridge. All you’ll have left to do is make the sauce, stuff the shells and bake until heated through.
Colder weather means comfort food, and this lightened up Turkey Alfredo made with spaghetti squash checks all the boxes. Low-carb, fewer dishes and loads of cheese and lean, delicious turkey. It has quickly become my family’s favourite lightened up comfort food and I’m sure it will be yours, too.
Looking for other Turkey recipes?
- Turkey, Broccoli and Wild Rice Casserole
- Instant Pot Turkey and Rice Meatballs
- Ginger and Sesame Turkey Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash about 2.5-3 lbs, cut in half lengthwise, and seeds removed*
- 1 tsp olive oil divided
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream 33% or higher
- 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp fresh pepper
- 2 cups diced cooked turkey about 10 oz
- 1 cup grated mozzarella
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Brush the inside of each half of squash with 1/2 tsp of olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.
- Place the squash cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the inside of the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork. Check the squash after 20 minutes to gauge how fast it’s roasting. You don’t want to over do it, or else the squash can be mushy.
- Set aside to cool until it can be handled.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 more minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly. Keep whisking until the cream comes to a gentle simmer and has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and continue to whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened further, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in cubed turkey and mix until well coated. Remove from the heat.
- By this time, the squash should be cool enough to handle. Using a fork, gently shred the flesh into spaghetti-like strands (be sure to shred widthwise and not lengthwise. This will help keep the squash in long strands. Working lengthwise could break the spaghetti strands apart). Be careful not to pierce through the skin of the squash.
- Transfer the shredded squash into the pan with the cream sauce and stir until well combined. If your squash is on the smaller size, reserve some of the cream sauce before adding the squash to ensure you’re not over-dressing the squash in sauce. You can always add the reserved sauce if needed.
- Transfer the sauce and squash back into the empty shells evenly.
- Place the filled squash back on a parchment lined baking sheet (or you can place them in a casserole dish) and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melty and bubbly. Then broil for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is brown. Remove from the oven.
- Top with parsley and serve immediately.
Nutritional calculation was provided by WP Recipe Maker and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator
This is making my mouth water it looks so good! I picked up some spaghetti squash and wasn’t sure what to do with it. This is perfect for a mid week meal. I used ground turkey. So good. This is a keeper!
Oh this would be so tasty with ground turkey, too! Great idea, Sandra!
What a great dish! I would never have thought to use the whole squash that was but I think i’s a great idea! I really should eat turkey more often as a good alternative to other white meats. Bookmarked this recipe for the weekend!
Turkey is such a great option to switch things up and keep your meals interesting. It goes with just about everything! Hope you enjoy.
what an easy to make and delicious recipe! My family loved those squash boats!
Thanks Dennis, so glad your family loved them!
This is a fun recipe! I’ve never tried it before and definitely need to make it! So much flavor and I love turkey!
Serving the squash right in their shells gives it a fun presentation for sure!
Now, this is one of the best recipes I saw that can be made to use up leftover turkey, so tempting! Great flavors and that golden crust on top is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a sucker for that golden cheese!
Well, I certainly concur with you — I absolutely hate winter but love Autumn. I love the color and the foods. I love the spices and the root veggies. And yes I love turkey. I know you can have it all year long but it is abundant in the Fall. The Alfredo Spaghetti squash will definitely be a favorite in the house. How can you go wrong? A creamy sauce! Turkey! Spaghetti squash! All topped with cheese. YUM!
Couldn’t agree more, Marisa!
These spaghetti squash boats look so so good. What a great way to use up leftover turkey too!
Thanks Jacqueline!
oooh. turkey alfredo. never made it with turkey! but this sounds like an incredibly delicious dinner idea!
Turkey is such a great way to replace other proteins to keep things interesting!
This recipe is so impressive! What a great way to take spaghetti squash and make an excellent meal!
thanks Leslie!
What a healthy take on a classic comfort dish! Love that you use turkey and spaghetti squash in this recipe, yet it’s still so filling!
The added protein from the turkey definitely helps keep you full!
Made this toast with some leftover turkey breasts. It was ready and delicious! Great recipe.