Whole30 Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Published Jun 05, 2020 Updated Jul 11, 2023
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My new Whole30 Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole will easily become a staple on you weekly menu. It is filled with dairy free cream cheese, chicken, spaghetti squash, rotel, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. It is creamy, filling and out of this world delicious. But wait, there is more good news! It’s Keto, Paleo and Whole30 complaint.
Growing up, my momma would always make Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Casserole with crushed Doritos on the top. It was honestly one of my favorite recipes from my childhood and I crave it on occasion. Although the original recipe will always hold a special place in my heart, I wanted to create a healthier version for my family. This one come pretty darn close to tasting the same as my mother’s recipe. I did have to omit the Doritos from my new recipe, but it really didn’t really make a big impact to the taste.
Are Nut Cheeses Whole30 Compliant?
This is a question that is asked a lot by the Whole30 community. Below is Whole30 creator, Melissa Urban’s answer:
“Nut cheeses and dips ARE compliant on the program, with a strong caveat that these should be used with caution, especially if you know you rely on cheese as a comfort or stress-relieving food, OR if cheese is a trigger for other food cravings (like wine or crackers). As with Larabars or almond butter, Whole30 HQ and our Coaches all recommend that program participants use with caution, and think critically about whether including these foods in their Whole30 is a healthy choice, given their contexts and goals.”
Whole30 Compliant Brands of Dairy Free Cream Cheese:
- Kitehill
- Nush Cheese Natural
- Pamela Creamery Creamy Nutcheese Original
Ingredients for this Whole30 Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Diced chicken
- Spaghetti squash
- Nutritional yeast
- Kite Hill cream cheese (dairy free)
- Garlic and onion powder
- Rotel
- Salt/pepper
- Coconut milk
Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (Whole30 + Keto)
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash about 2 pounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 chicken breast cooked and diced
- 1 1/2 cans rotel drained
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 container of Kite Hill cream cheese
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 cup coconut milk canned unsweetened
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and coat a casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and ribbing.
- Drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on the baking sheet and use a fork to poke holes.
- Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside, and fork tender (Time will vary based on the size of the squash).
- Remove from the oven and flip the squash so that it’s cut side up. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands from the sides of the squash.
- Place these spaghetti squash strands into a large mixing bowl.
- Reduce oven heat to 350F.
- Cut the cooked chicken breast into bite size pieces. Add to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Drain the cans of rotel and transfer to the chicken in the skillet along with the dairy free cream cheese, nutritional yeast, coconut milk, salt, pepper, ghee and garlic/onion powder. Heat for 5 minutes or until everything is combined.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to the spaghetti squash and mix together.
- Pour into a lightly greased 8x11 casserole dish.
- Bake on 350F for 30-40 minutes until bubbling and heated through.
Notes
- This will last in the fridge for up to 5 days in an air tight container.
- Freeze up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Love this Whole30 Rotel Chicken Spaghetti? Check out my other favorites below:
- Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Whole30 + Keto)
- Hibachi Shrimp Veggie Pasta (Whole30 + Keto)
- Butternut Squash Skillet (Whole30)
I am shocked how good this was, doesn’t taste healthy at all! I also used the chive kite hill, one rotisserie chicken, I can rotel and one green chili. I substituted chicken stock for the coconut milk, I feel like so many paleo recipes use cockily I get a little tired of everything tasting like coconut. It was outstanding!! I will be making more of your recipes for sure, thank you so much Ashley
Thrilled to hear it was a hit Shauna. Thanks for your kind words of support.
We live in Africa and spaghetti squash is not something we can find here. Any other veggie noddle you would suggest in its place because this sounds delicious?!
This was SO good!! I have been trying tons of recipes to match a Gf/DF/SF diet and still be excited about food and this was one of those recipes that restored my faith in the process! Even my 9 year old daughter loved it (and I guarantee she had no idea it wasn’t actual dairy). The only thing I modified was cooking the chicken in the instant pot first and shredding vs dicing into cubes. Otherwise I followed everything exactly as written. Thank you so much!!
Hi Christina……thrilled to hear the recipe was a success and worked nicely with your diet. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day.
Such a treat! I’m a spice fanatic so put in two cans of rotel and a healthy dose of cayenne, but my goodness this was the perfect cozy meal as the weather turns to fall. Definitely would recommend and make again!
So happy to hear it was a hit. Thank you
Made this recently and it was Delish!! First time using Kite Hill and I was plesantly surprised! Will be adding this to the dinner rotation.
So happy to hear. Thank you
Ok, this was surprisingly delicious. I’ve never cooked with a dairy free cream cheese, but wow! I couldn’t find the brand you suggested, so I used miyoko’s creamery cream cheese. Loved this!
I am absolutely obsessed with this recipe! I have made it many, many times and for me, reminds me of chicken enchilada casserole! Which feels so comforting while being on the Keto lifestyle. Thank you for this healthy twist on your childhood favorite!
You are so welcome! I’m so happy to hear this—thank you for trying the recipe!