How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

Years ago, a neighbor gave me a packet of spaghetti squash seeds. Since I still had plenty of room in my garden among the butternut squash and zucchini plants, I decided to plant several of the seeds. Later that summer, I found myself with a bumper crop of spaghetti squash. The irony was that I’d never prepared (or eaten) one in my life so I had some learning to do. After some trial and error, I finally settled on the perfect method for cooking this incredibly versatile and nutritious winter squash which can be a delicious low-carb stand-in for pasta in your favorite recipes or you can serve those tender, spaghetti-like strands as a simple side dish with extra virgin olive oil and herbs or toss them into a pizza-inspired dish that the whole family will love. 

Recipe Highlights

Baking spaghetti squash in the oven is surprisingly easy to do and you get great results every time. You can also steam it in your Instant Pot but this is by far my favorite way to cook spaghetti squash because the edges get a bit caramelized and it’s less watery than when you use the steaming or boiling method. The hardest part is cutting the squash but I have some great tips below to help make that easier too.

How To Make Cooked Spaghetti Squash

There are basically 3 ways to cook spaghetti squash: roast, steam or microwave. Today I’m sharing with you what I think is the best way to cook spaghetti squash, which is to roast the squash halves cut side down in the oven. This gives the edges a nice caramelized color which adds a bit of flavor. 

Step 1 – Prepare the squash for cutting. Wash and dry the squash then slice off the top and bottom ends (the stem and blossom ends).  

Step 2 – Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Position the squash upright on a cutting board on one of the cut ends then use a large chef’s knife to cut down the middle. Be sure to position your hand on top of the squash to hold it steady, being careful not to cut yourself.

This is best done with a sharp knife. You may need to place a folded dish towel between your hand and the end of the blade (where you’ll need to also apply some pressure) to help guide the knife downward through the flesh. 

Step 3 – Scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. Use a large spoon to scoop out the insides. Sprinkle with salt then place the squash cut-side down on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3 – Bake the squash. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 40-55 minutes or until fork tender. Baking time will vary depending on the size of the spaghetti squash you are cooking. When the squash is tender, remove the pan from the oven and allow the squash to cool slightly.

Step 4 – Release those delicious squash strands. Use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash from top to bottom to form long strands of “spaghetti”. Season with additional salt and black pepper or top with desired toppings and enjoy.

For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories (kcals), protein, carbohydrates/carb, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.

How To Serve

While roasted spaghetti squash is often an ingredient in other dishes, it can also be served as a side dish to complement roasted asparagus, grilled chicken or fish, Italian-style meatballs, and/or roasted veggies with a creamy dairy-free sauce. 

Baked spaghetti sauce with a creamy sauce, chicken, bacon, and asparagus pairs excellently with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime. 

How To Store

Leftover cooked squash can be stored in an airtight container with a lid in the fridge for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, place cooled squash into zip-top freezer bags or other freezer-safe containers and freeze. Thaw partially before using (either in the fridge or by running the bag under warm water), then microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot.

More Recipes To Try

• Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.
• Dairy-Free Spaghetti Squash Alfredo with Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Bake with Spaghetti Squash
• Healthy Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash

Video: How To Cook Spaghetti Squash

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