First of all, what is chicken spaghetti?

It sounds like a cross between traditional spaghetti and chicken parm, but chicken spaghetti recipes usually involve chicken, broken spaghetti noodles, and a creamy white sauce.

Now, I enjoy watching The Pioneer Woman, AKA Ree Drummond. Her recipes are country comfort food. But, like most chefs, her recipes are not gluten free and they feature a lot more pasta, bread, butter, and cream than my body can handle. I mean...she is feeding a hardworking rancher and teenage boys- they can eat anything! More recently, I believe she lost a few pounds and did come out with some healthier recipes. 

So, while I had heard of her chicken spaghetti recipe a few times, I never made it. Until now...

Ummm...Ree....where are the veggies?!? With all the flavors in casseroles, they are perfect for packing in the veggies!

And, I totally get the ease of using creamed soups in casseroles, but by making the cream sauce from scratch it only took 5 minutes and is so much healthier! So while it feels like a huge shortcut, it doesn't really save much time and isn't worth it to me.

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Who is Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman???

Starting out as a blogger, fans quickly became enthralled with her ranch life. From homeschooling and raising 4 children, she only moved into food after she noticed it was a topic her fans were very interested in. After beating Bobby Flay in a Thanksgiving cooking contest, Ree was offered the opportunity to host her own cooking show on The Food Network. Known for her down-home, country ranch style- her food is simple and flavorful. Now, you can even buy her brightly-colored kitchenware at Walmart or take a trip and visit The Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

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Reasons You'll Love This Recipe

• Based on a classic from Ree Drummond.
• Filled with veggies- I used peppers and broccoli.
• Creamy casserole = comfort food
• Make ahead- it involves a bit of prep work, but can be assembled ahead of time and later baked.
• Simple flavors, but so good! Perfect for a sick neighbor or your colleague who recently had a baby!
• My version features a homemade cream sauce made in just minutes! No canned Campbell's soup for us!
• Everyone will love it! Adults, kids, ranchers...

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Ingredients in Ree Drummond's Chicken Spaghetti (My version)

• Gluten Free Spaghetti Noodles
• Chicken
• Broccoli
• Bell Peppers
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
• Butter
• Gluten Free Flour (I used oat)
• Milk (can use dairy free)
• Cheddar Cheese

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Ree Drummond's Chicken Spaghetti- The Original Recipe

Storing Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken spaghetti is a terrific make-ahead meal! Leftovers are so good! Or you can store the casserole for a day or two prior to baking. Once baked, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can also freeze this casserole for up to 3 months.

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Craving more???

Healthy Cheeseburger Soup

Sweet Potato Nacho Fries

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches