BACON-CHILI STUFFED SQUASH

Bacon-Chili Stuffed Squash image

"This is such an excellent recipe and one of my very best side dishes," writes Karen Grant from her home in Tulare, California. "It looks lovely and is much easier to make than it might sound."

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt, divided
6 medium yellow summer squash
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole milk
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
6 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon, divided
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, bring water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add squash; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, cut squash in half lengthwise; scoop out and reserve pulp, leaving a 3/8-in. shell. Invert shells on paper towel., In a saucepan, saute onion in 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the chilies, 1/2 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons bacon, pepper and remaining salt. Drain reserved squash pulp and stir into bacon mixture. Spoon into shells., Place in two lightly greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over squash. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231 calories, Fat 14g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 1323mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 11g protein.