Well, I have good news and bad news for you today (but it’s Friday, so the good outweighs the bad, no matter what!). 
(picture source)
The bad news: I had a post with TWO new recipes all set for Foodie Friday, and it included a review of a new-to-me protein powder with a 40% discount code for you! But, when I went to type it up, I realized I don’t actually have the discount code yet! Bummer (and, double bummer that I didn’t realize that until 1:02am and had to start a whole new post then!). So, you’ll have to wait a few days. If you’re in the market for a new protein powder, hold on! 40% is a big deal!
The good news: I am shocking myself by being ahead of the game with recipes waiting to be published, meaning you still get a Foodie Friday post today! Do you remember that I shared my Tempeh-Black Bean Burgers with you on Monday? Well, they tasted good, but I wasn’t that happy with them due to the texture. But that’s not the whole story … maybe they didn’t taste as good because I made them the day after I made this mouth-wateringly delicious, filling, hearty, and comforting dish (that just happens to be bursting-with-nutrients). Not much could stand comparison to this dish – I devoured every bite, and then re-bought the ingredients the next week so I could make it again. Intrigued? Let’s cook! 
Sizzlin’ Southwestern Spaghetti Squash
Serves 2 (for one serving, you can cook both halves of the squash and store the unused half in a covered container in the refrigerator. Simply divide all ingredients besides the squash in half as you make the filling).
Ingredients
- One medium-sized spaghetti squash
- 1/2 onion (white or yellow)
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 2 tsp cumin, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1/2 block (~150g) tempeh (I used Westsoy Five Grain blend). Or, use 8 ounces lean ground turkey, beef, or chicken.
- 2/3 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 Tbsp. salsa
- 2-4 tsp. fire-roasted green chiles (may omit if you don’t want it spicy)
- 1/3 avocado
- 4 T nutritional yeast (can substitute parmesan cheese if you don’t like nutritional yeast)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Poke some holes through your spaghetti squash (like I tell you here), and microwave for 3 minutes. When it’s cool enough to handle, slice length-wise, scoop out seeds and stringy flesh, and place open-side down on a foil-lined baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, dice onion and slice tomatoes into halves or quarters. Add onion, 1 tsp. cumin, and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder to pan sprayed with cooking spray or olive oil (not included in nutrition facts). Saute until beginning to soften. Add tomatoes and saute an additional 2-3 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove your spaghetti squash and flip the halves over (so the inside faces up). Sprinkle with the remainder of your cumin and garlic powder, and return to oven for 10-15 more minutes, or until edges are starting to brown.
- Add crumbled tempeh to onion and tomatoes. (You can crumble it with your hands, until it looks approximately like ground beef or turkey). Add rinsed and drained black beans and green chiles, and saute an additional 5 minutes.
- Add salsa to pan and stir until heated through.
- Place one half of spaghetti squash into a bowl, and spoon in half of the filling. Top with half of the chopped avocado (it makes EVERYTHING better!), and 2 T of nutritional yeast.
- Of course, I served mine with extra veggies … why not?!?
- And then I promptly scooped out the “spaghetti” from its shell, dumped everything into a big bowl, and dug in!
I was audibly “mmm-ing” to myself with every bite. I loved the heartiness of the dish and the way it kept me full for hours. But mostly, I loved that it tasted SO delicious! Warm, comforting “spaghetti” meets spicy Southwestern flavors, hearty beans and tempeh, cheesy nutritional yeast, and cool, creamy avocado. Enjoy! 
If prepared according to these instructions, each serving (1/2 spaghetti squash with toppings) will contain 381 calories, 10g fat, 50g carbs, 20g protein.
So tell me in the comments … what ingredient do you think makes everything better? What do you think I made with my new protein powder? What’s making you smile on this Friday?
Ooh that looks yummy! I’d probably use chicken though! 🙂
You could definitely use chicken in this recipe, Lauren! If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Megan,
I hate to admit it but I have never used Spaghetti squash. I love the Mexican flair to this recipe. I am pinning it to save and try.
Blessings and thank you so much for stopping by http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com and linking up this great recipe.
Diane Roark
I hope you end up trying spaghetti squash, Diane! It’s fun to eat, healthy, and delicious!
We have made this twice since you posted it. It’s one of Teddy’s favorite meals now….although we used chicken as he requires meat in every meal, such a boy! Haha. Love reading the blog each week and can’t wait to see u soon!
YAY, thanks so much for telling me, Hol! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe! Chicken would be a great substitute … in almost all of my vegetarian recipes, you can swap in meat … I just like to keep some vegetarian for personal preference + variety for readers! I really can’t wait to see you guys soon either – just a few more weeks!
You basically just combined all of my favorite savory things. This looks incredible! I don’t know why I don’t crumble tempeh more. I like it any way it comes – even raw!
I admit that I’ve never had raw tempeh as a meal (but I’ve snuck a bite before cooking). You should try it crumbled – great substitute for ground beef or turkey in stews or chilis!
Yum! Spaghetti squash is one of my fav fall veggies and you can never go wrong with southwest!
It’s one of my favorites, too, Jill! Funny how squash tastes so much better in the fall/ winter, even though it’s technically in grocery stores year round!
I think out of all the bloggers out there, every post of yours (or comments you leave around the blog world) I learn something new!
I was awaiting that black bean recipe using tempeh, but now I have this- Never knew you could crumble it- what a great idea!
Although spaghetti squash here is near non existent (I only found it in one place ages away- rip off to boot!) I would try this with pasta or even in a wrap? Thanks for this!
With your new protein powder, lets hope its some #strangebutgood action 😉 …or a mug cake ha!
Arman, I read this early this morning, and I have honestly had a smile on my face all day. This is one of the nicest compliments ever! I’m so glad to be able to teach you something! Hope you try crumbling tempeh (I’m sure this combo would work over pasta, rice, quinoa, other grains, maybe even a cauliflower crust, or maybe even savory kabocha?). I hope I don’t let you down with the protein powder recipes … they’re neither #strangebutgood nor a mug cake. But now you’ve inspired me to go strange! Thanks again for the compliment.
Not at all- The best one to date is brussels sprout 😉
Yum! I’ve always wanted to try spaghetti squash. I wish you lived closer so you could make me some of this! 😉
You need to try it – especially for your Veggie of the Month challenge this month!!! You’ve already pushed the limit by trying so many new things … keep it up!
Since my husband is a spicy food fanatic I usually put cayenne pepper on just about everything I make to try and make it spicier. Though sometimes I just put it on his half because I can only take so much 🙂
This recipe looks DELICIOUS! 🙂
Yes! Cayenne sure does go a long way … just a sprinkle is about all I can handle!
So yummy! I had a big bowl of spaghetti squash last night 🙂 have a wonderful weekend!
Ooh yum! I’m bummed that I’m all out. I have an acorn squash waiting for me, though! You have a wonderful weekend, too – GOOD LUCK tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear about it!
You’re making me miss all my favourite TJ goodies! I also wish I could eat spaghetti squash but for some reason I react every time. I’m thinking this will still taste delicious with regular pasta. I never eat pasta but I’ve eaten it 3 times this week…so this will be a nice recipe to add to the rotation!
I’m officially through my recipe arsenal…care to share some with me? LOL Have a great weekend love!
That’s such a bummer about spaghetti squash :(. Hate that different things make different people’s stomachs upset. I’m 100% sure you’ll come up with more mouth-watering recipes (and I can’t wait!). You have a great weekend too!