Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats

Ingredients

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 slices center-cut bacon, chopped into small pieces
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (such as button or small cremini)
• 12 to 15 small pepperoni rounds
• Red pepper flakes, optional, to taste

Directions

1. Remove the baking pan from the toaster oven. Heat the toaster oven to 400°F.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise.  (TIP: To make it easier to cut through, place the squash on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 5 minutes first.)
3. Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, remove and discard the seeds and stringy pulp from the center. Place the squash halves cut-side up on the toaster oven baking pan. Drizzle the inside of each spaghetti squash evenly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, then flip cut-side down.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the squash is tender when poked with a fork.
5. While the squash bakes, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until crisp, about 5 to 6 minutes. Move the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate using a slotted spoon to reserve the bacon fat. In the same skillet, cook the mushrooms in the bacon fat until softened and lightly golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the bacon and set aside.
6. Remove the baking tray from the oven and carefully flip the squash halves cut-side up. Using a fork, gently scrape the squash strands to loosen them slightly while keeping them inside the shells. Sprinkle about half of the mozzarella into each half and stir it through the spaghetti strands. Spread marinara sauce evenly over each half, then sprinkle with oregano (or Italian seasoning) and the remaining mozzarella. Top with bacon, mushrooms, and pepperoni rounds.
7. Bake again for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra golden cheese, broil for 1 to 2 minutes if desired.
8. Serve: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if using, and enjoy your Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats hot.

Serves: 2 as a main or 4 as a side

Notes:

• Make it vegetarian: A vegetarian version of the spaghetti squash pizza boats is just as delicious! Simply omit the bacon and pepperoni.
• Use different toppings: Feel free to replace any of the toppings with your favorite pizza toppings such as diced green peppers, thinly-sliced red onions, black or green olives, etc.