What is Spaghetti Squash? Is it Gluten Free?

Yes, spaghetti squash is gluten frree. It’s classified as a winter squash, because it’s harvested in the fall and stored through the winter months. It’s yellow, and shaped like an oblong watermelon. Spaghetti squash derives it’s name from the pulp that, when pulled, looks like spaghetti strands.

Does Spaghetti Squash Taste Like Pasta?

No. Too often I hear people say they don’t like it, because they think it’s going to exactly replicate their favorite spaghetti. Which is sad, because this squash is delicious and needs to be appreciated for its unique flavor. Let me show you how to cook and prepare a dish that will make you realize the worthiness of this most marvelous vegetable.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

There are multiple ways to cook a spaghetti squash. Any of these methods will work for making these Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats. I prefer to cook mine in the microwave, but that’s only because I often fail to plan ahead. Which means I rarely ever choose to cook in a crockpot. This recipe for Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats worked best with roasting the squash in the oven for 30 minutes.

Microwave Method

I learned to microwave spaghetti squash from the wonderful folks at The Kitchn. (No, that’s not a typo. That missing “E” is intentional on their part.) Why do I love to microwave spaghetti squash? Because you can fully cook it in less than 15 minutes. And if I’m honest, I’m usually planning dinner 30 minutes before i need to have it on the table. #RealLife Follow this link to get in-depth directions on how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave.

Here’s the brief version. 1) Poke holes in the spaghetti squash, place on glass dish, and then microwave for five minutes. This is to soften the outside. 2) Remove from microwave and cut in half, hot dog style. (All my teacher friends know what I mean.) 3) Return spaghetti squash to microwave. Depending on the size of the spaghetti squash, cook for an additional 5- 10 minutes. 4) Remove squash, allow to cool, and pull out strands with a fork.

Slow Cooker Method

My friend Holly at My Plant Based Family will tell you that cooking this vegetable in the slow cooker is “the easiest way to cook Spaghetti Squash.” Cut the squash in half (hamburger way), scoop out the seeds, place in the slow cooker and cook it for 3 hours. Of course, having your hands free for doing other things does make life easier!

Baking / Oven Roasting Method

Roasting spaghetti squash is just as easy. Cut it, oil it, stick it in the oven and let it cook for 30-40 minutes. I chose this method for making these Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats because I would result in a darker color of squash. The things we do for better pictures! Based on advice from Chocolate Covered Katie, I baked my squash at 450 degrees.

How To Pull The Pulp From a Spaghetti Squash

Regardless which method you choose to cook the squash for these Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats, you will destrand (?) the squash with a fork. (Not sure that’s even a word. Oh well.) So here is how it should look when you have pulled the insides. Nice and fluffy.

Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce

Since spaghetti squash doesn’t truly taste like pasta, it becomes a canvas for anything. I often use Full Flavor Foods’ gluten free Alfredo Sauce Mix. Simply combine the mix with water, cook until thickened, and enjoy!

I will confess that I “tweaked” it a bit. Dinner time is when I add bits of items that I need to use up. Like the last two tablespoons of cream cheese, the final shakes of Parmesan cheese, and few glugs of milk.

The Best Gluten Free Breaded Chicken

The chicken in these Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats are pretty stellar. I coated a chicken breast with Aleia’s Extra Crispy Coat and Crunch. (It had some leftover coating from the gluten free mozzarella sticks I just made. Waste not, want not, right?) On top of the cooked chicken I added some cooked spinach and then drizzled that gorgeous Full Flavor Foods Alfredo sauce on top.

The Secret to Perfectly Golden, Melty Cheese

Of course, cheese (or in this case MORE cheese) makes everything better, right? I topped these Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats with a mix of Mozzarella and shredded Parmesan, and placed it under the broiler for about 5 minutes. Spectacular, am I right? My husband thought so, when we had them for dinner later that night.

I Can’t Eat Dairy? What Alfredo Can I Use?

I do use a lot of dairy in this recipe, from milk to cream cheese to a WHOLE lot of cheese. If you are looking for dairy free alfredo sauce, I would recommend Primal Kitchen Alfredo Sauce. It’s available at many stores. As for dairy free cheese, Violife is great.

Other Spaghetti Squash Recipes

The great thing about spaghetti squash is that it creates its own serving vessel. Create Spaghetti Squash Boats with Meatballs, or even Chili Cheese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Don’t eat meat? Try these Vegetarian Italian Spaghetti Squash boats, made with lentils! Or ditch the boats and make a Spaghetti Squash Casserole!

Print

Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Equipment

• Aleia’s Coat and Crunch – GF Shake and Bake
• ZWILLING Twin Signature 3-pc German Knife Set
• Dreamfarm Brizzle-Red
• Dreamfarm 3mm Ograte

Ingredients

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• oil and salt for seasoning
• 1 packet Full Flavor Foods Alfredo Sauce mix
• 1/2 c water
• 2 -3 tbsp cream cheese
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1 chicken breast 6 oz+
• Rice flour egg and crumb coating for chicken
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 3-4 oz shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan blend

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees
• Pierce spaghetti squash with fork and heat in microwave for 1 minute to soften squash. Cut down the middle, lengthwise, and scoop out seeds. 
• Brush spaghetti squash with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on cookie sheet, cut side up. Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on size of squash. 
• While squash is cooking, make Full Flavor Foods Alfredo Sauce mix according to directions. It will thicken greatly as it cools, so don’t be tempted to cook it all the way down. I added cream cheese, Parmesan and a touch of milk to stretch the sauce. I added these after the sauce had cooked, not before. 
• My chicken breast was already pre-cooked from a different day. If you have a fresh chicken breast, I would suggest placing it in the oven for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time, with the squash. 
• To bread the chicken, dip it in beaten egg, then rice flour, then beaten egg again, and finally in the Aleia’s Coat and Crunch. You could use crushed Corn or Rice Chex instead. Or, you could simple cook a fresh chicken breast on the stove top, and not bread it at all. 
• Wilt the spinach to remove excess moisture. I microwaved mine for approximately a minute because I was in a hurry. You can do this on the stove top, in a non-stick skillet. I suggest using a bit of cooking spray to prevent sticking. 
• Once the squash is finished cooking, remove from oven and allow to cool approximately 5 minutes. This prevents you from burning your fingers! Using a fork, pull the strands from the sides of the squash. 
• Leave pulled squash in shell and top with sliced chicken and wilted spinach. Pour Alfredo sauce on top, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top of sauce. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts. Broil for 2-3 minutes if you would like to brown the cheese. 

What’s your favorite way to eat spaghetti squash? I’m always looking for fun new recipes to try. Share with me in the comments below.

Originally Published January 2018

The post Gluten Free Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

The Perfect Gluten Free Super Bowl Snack

These gluten free soft pretzel dough bites have been on my “to do list” for quite some time. Ever since I made my gluten free monkey bread, I knew I needed to make these for you. I made a batch a while ago, but they needed some perfecting. Finally, I hustled to make these right, just in time for your Super Bowl gathering. Like, literally the day before. However, these gluten free pretzel bites come together easily, so you still have plenty of time.

People Over Production

So not gonna lie, January always seems to get off to a slow start for me. 2019 proved no different. The end of 2018, someone vandalized both of our cars. So between Christmas preparation, we scrambled to perform car repairs and fix our garage. Then my dad ended up in the hospital. In January, other issues cropped up that required personal time and attention. In some ways, I feel I’m just a step behind everything.

However, I feel the blessing in working from home is that I can be present in the the lives of others. Like take my husband out to lunch for his birthday. Or agree to babysit my friend’s kids while they go to court to fight for guardianship of their special needs child. May no one ever make us feel guilty for choosing people over production.

How Do You Make Gluten Free Soft Pretzels?

These gluten free soft pretzel bites really are easy to make. Remember playing with playdough and making snakes? That’s the main skill you need to make these turn out. Like they say, “I learned everything I need to know in Kindergarten”, right? Roll out the dough into long “snakes,” cut them into pieces, then boil and bake. That easy!

I made my dough using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix. You can find it at many Kroger stores, and some Target stores. Use their website to find it in a store near you. Want to try it with homemade pizza dough? I recommend using Gluten Free Palate’s recipe for Gluten Free Pizza Crust. 

How Do You Serve Gluten Free Soft Pretzels?

After you make the dough, you simply boil bits of pizza dough in a baking soda water bath, then bake them in the oven. Seriously, this may be one of the easiest recipes ever. It simply takes time. While you can dip these in ranch or honey mustard, I love them dipped in a good cheese sauce! 

Other Gluten Free Super Bowl Snacks

These gluten free soft pretzel bites make a great snack for watching the Super Bowl, Final Four, and any other sporting event. They pair great with my Gluten Free Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and gluten free meatballs. Or make any of my other mouth watering gluten free appetizers, including gluten free pigs in a blanket. 

Looking for even more gluten free snacks? Check out these recipe round ups from some of my fellow gluten free bloggers!

15 Gluten Free Super Bowl Recipes from Iowa Girl Eats

45 Gluten Free Super Bowl Party Apps from Celiac Mama

Gluten Free Game Day Appetizers from What the Fork

Recipe

Print

Gluten Free Soft Pretzel Bites

Equipment

• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix – 16 oz – 2 Pack
• Bob’s Red Mill, Gluten Free Rice Flour, 1.5 lb
• Staub Cast Iron 4-qt Round Cocotte

Ingredients

For the dough

• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix
• 1 1/2 c warm water
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp oil
• i packet yeast included in pizza crust mix package

For Pretzel preparation

• Extra rice flour for rolling
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 c baking soda
• salt

For the Cheese Sauce

• Full Flavor Foods Cream Sauce packet
• 2 cups cool water
• 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Instructions

• Prepare gluten free pizza dough according to directions.
• Allow dough to rise for 20-40 minutes. I find it best to help my dough rise in an oven that's been preheated to 200 degrees, then turned off. 
• After the dough rises, remove it from the warmed oven and let it set on the counter to allow it to come to room temperature. (NOTE- If you need these to be egg free, there is a substitution suggested on the bag.) 
• Lightly dust a mat with rice flour or other gluten free flour. Take a small portion of dough and roll into long "snakes." (I had limited success in making shaped pretzels with the Bob's Red Mill dough, simply because it was too soft.)  
• Cut dough "snakes" into one inch chunks. Repeat until all remaining dough is used. (Or use part for a pizza for dinner!) 
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Heat 8 cups of water and 1/2 cup baking soda in a large, wide stock pot or dutch oven until boiling. 
• Once water boils, add 5-6 chunks of pretzel dough in the baking soda water bath. Boil for 30 seconds, then remove to a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Repeat until all remaining dough is boiled. 
• Bake gluten free pretzel dough bites in 400 degree oven for 12 minutes, turning the cookie sheet 180 degrees half way through baking. 
• While pretzels are baking, combine Full Flavor Foods cheese sauce mix and 1 cup cool water in a small pot. Whisk to combine, and continue whisking until cheese sauce starts to thicken. It will continue to thicken upon standing, so don't over cook it. 
• Serve baked gluten free pretzel dough bites with cheese sauce and your favorite beverage of choice. Enjoy!

**This post is NOT sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill or any other company. This post does however include Amazon Affiliate Links. Purchases made through those links provide me a small commission. However, this does not influence the cost of your purchases. Thank you for helping to support this website, and keeping this site pop up free!**

Originally Published February 2019

The post Gluten Free Soft Pretzel Bites appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

I met the owner of Rumi’s Passion, Steve Ciric, and his family years ago when I helped organized the Lansing Gluten Free Fair. People would flock from across the state of Michigan to buy their gluten free baked goods. While the fair no longer exists, people still travel far and wide to their store in Plymouth. Located only 15 minutes from IKEA, it’s great place for a road trip.

If you were to ask me my favorite items to buy there, it would be hard to choose. They offer a great selection of sweet treats. However, they also make pasties, pizza crust, and other savory items. They’re sliced bread gets rave reviews, as well. Learn more about this business in my Q&A, below.

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

I’ve been a baker for decades. In reality, my family has been in the baking industry for over 30 years. We owned Wild Flours bakery 8 years ago and customers began to ask about gluten-free options.

After some research I saw that I needed a dedicated facility in order to safely offer gluten-free items. So we closed down our conventional bakery and opened Rumi’s Passion in 2010. You can read more about our adventure in opening our business the Plymouth-Canton Patch.

(This article is from an interview with Stan Ciric, the original owner of Rumi’s Passion. New owners took over in 2021.)

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Low sodium, fat free, etc?

We offer dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, and vegan options. Some of our items are sugar-free as well.

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

All of our ingredient suppliers provide us with fact sheets to confirm they are gluten-free.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

You can find many reviews from happy customers on our Facebook page, including this one –
“I special ordered unfrosted cutout cookies so my daughter could have the experience of frosting legit Christmas cookies. Rumi’s cookies are AMAZING! I truly wouldn’t have known they are gluten-free and dairy-free. Thank you so much!”

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

We are able to do custom products for customers who have restrictions beyond a gluten-free diet.

While Rumi’s Passion offers a large assortment of baked goods, they also offer other gluten free pantry items. From chips and crackers, to tamari and snack bars, it’s a fantastic place to grab those items you may not be able to find anyhwere else. They also support other Michigan businesses, by stocking items from Full Flavor Foods and Old World Gluten Free. They also serve Great Lakes Coffee in their bakery, so you can get a hot cuppa with your gluten free donut!

They also supply items for area restaurants, such as the Union Joints chain of eateries and Mr. Mike’s Grill. You can find a limited selection of Rumi’s Passion products at Holiday Market, Nino Salvaggio, Plum Market and Westborn Market in the gluten-free freezer section. They do not ship.

Location, Hours and Contact Information

Rumi’s Passion
41106 5 Mile Rd
Plymouth MI 48170
(734) 335-7145
Open Tuesday & Wednesday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 3 pm

Website / Facebook  / Instagram / Email

Rumi’s Passion is one of many  bakeries across the state of Michigan offering gluten-free options. Check out my master gluten free bakery list, which includes an interactive map!

Originally published March 2016

The post Rumi’s Passion Gluten Free Bakery – Plymouth, MI appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.