Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Chunky Red Herb Sauce

What an awesome, delicious, light and easy summer/anytime meal we had last night.

There's really not a lot to it, but the simplicity and fresh herbs really hit the mark.

The chunky red sauce has fresh basil and parsley, along with a few dried herbs, then served over some oven roasted spaghetti squash. The hubby liked his with just a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan, but I added some sauteed garlic shrimp on top of mine.

Very yummy!

Linked with Weekend Potluck and Foodie Friday.

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Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Chunky Red Herb Sauce

1 spaghetti squash, roasted
2 tbsp olive oil, divided use
1/2 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
15oz petite diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade or chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Freshly grated parmesan

Heat the oven to 400*.

Cut squash in half and clean out seeds and membrane. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side up on a baking sheet and bake 40 minutes or until tender. Cool; remove strands with a fork and keep warm.

While squash bakes, heat up the remaining oil in a medium size sauce pan. Add onion and saute until it starts to turn translucent. Add garlic and continue to cook 1-2 more minutes. Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt and pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes; add fresh basil and parsley and continue to simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Keep warm.

Serve tomato sauce over squash with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and more fresh parsley.

For the shrimp: I just used some thawed, peeled and deveined large shrimp, which I sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper, then let hang out in the fridge for a few minutes.

Heat a pat of butter and a couple of tsp of oil in a small skillet. Add shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes on the first side, turn and cook another couple of minutes along with 2 cloves of chopped garlic, then sprinkle with parsley.

Baked Parmesan Chicken with Ratatouille

I really liked the combination of this Parmesan chicken with the ratatouille sauce.

It's easy to make, the chicken is crispy (and baked), and the sauce is healthy, fresh and light. Oh, and you get to enjoy gooey melted fresh mozzarella. I mean really, what's not to like.

Linked with Weekend Potluck.

Baked Parmesan Chicken with Ratatouille

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

Pinch red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 squash, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

1 bay leaf

1 tsp red wine vinegar

15oz crushed tomatoes

2 roma tomatoes, chopped

4 chicken breast, boneless and skinless

2 tbsp butter

Salt and Pepper

Oregano

3/4 cup panko

3/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

4oz fresh mozzarella

Heat oil in a large skillet; add onion and cook until it starts to soften. Add garlic, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Saute 1-2 minutes; add squash, zucchini and bay leaf and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Stir in red wine vinegar and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until thickened.

Heat oven to 450*.

While sauce cooks, melt butter, set aside. In another bowl, stir together panko and parmesan cheese. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper and oregano; dip in melted butter, then into panko mixture pressing coating into chicken. Put the chicken on a rack set over a baking sheet, spray with a quick burst of cooking spray and put the sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake until the chicken is golden and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Place a slice of fresh mozzarella on top of each chicken breast and place under the broiler until hot and bubbly. Serve with sauce on top.