Skinny Squash Alfredo & Cauliflower Garlic Bread

You know those nights that you whip up a delicious meal for your family, boyfriend, friends... whoever!!! And you're staring at it thinking "I'd have to run for an hour on the treadmill just to BEGIN to burn that off but it just looks so darn GOOD!!!"?  Yeah, not fun. It's hard sometimes to make healthy choices when unhealthy choices are staring you straight in the face!!  I mean, you've spent an hour cooking this meal, then another half hour cleaning up the kitchen and doing the dishes, don't you deserve to enjoy a little bit of it?

That's what goes through MY MIND, especially when the meal that I whipped up is Fettuccine Alfredo and Garlic Bread.  Seriously, that is one of my favorite dishes but at a whopping 900 calories per serving (we won't even touch on the fat gram content!)... I just can't justify even a bite of it. (Because really... who can stop at one bite?!) :)

SO, you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon a recipe for Spaghetti Squash Alfredo & Cauliflower Garlic Bread!  I tried it out last night and it was so good, I just had to share it with my fellow fit people!!

We'll start with the Squash Alfredo!  I made this as easy-peasy as possible!!

What you need:

• 1 small/medium spaghetti squash
• 1 jar of light Alfredo sauce (Yes I used store bought sauce) :)
• Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese*
• Spices of your choice*
• Minced Garlic*

*Optional

What you need to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Slice the spaghetti squash in half length wise
3. Set rind side up in baking dish with about 1/4 inch of water
4. Bake for about 45 mins - 1 hour (until rind is easily poked with a fork)

***While you're waiting for your squash to cook, heat up the Alfredo sauce on the stove. I added some extra spices (garlic powder, onion powder) and some minced garlic for a little extra flavor!***

5. Remove squash from oven and shred insides with a fork (leave the insides in the rind). Pour about a 1/4 cup of Alfredo sauce into squash half, mix and top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
6. Place back in oven under broiler for 2/3 minutes until the top JUST starts to brown!

Now, the Cauliflower Garlic Bread!  :)

What you need:

• 1 cup cooked cauliflower 
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• Nonstick cooking spray

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2. Steam the cauliflower over the stove until it is just beginning to soften then grate or run it through the food processor. You are looking for a rice like consistency here. (One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower.  The remainder can be used for additional bread sticks or crusts.  This will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week)

3. Spray baking tin with nonstick cooking spray

4. In a medium bowl stir together 1 cup cauliflower, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.  Add oregano, crushed garlic & garlic salt.  Stir.

5. Transfer to baking sheet and using your hands pat into a large rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick)  This can be adjusted based upon your preferences.

6. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.

7. Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan or mozzarella cheese.

And TA-DO, a healthy, GUILT FREE dinner of Alfredo & Garlic Bread is served! :)