How do you get your spaghetti squash to be more like pasta and less mushy?

Cooking your spaghetti squash just until al dente will give it a more pasta-like texture.

How long does it take to microwave spaghetti squash?

A whole spaghetti squash will take about 20 minutes to cook in the microwave. To do so, place the cut spaghetti squash face down in a glass baking dish with about 1 inch of water. Microwave on high for 20 minutes or until you can easily insert a fork into the flesh.

Do I have to cut spaghetti squash in half before I cook it?

We do not recommend that you cook your spaghetti squash whole as this may cause it to explode in your oven or microwave due to the buildup of steam inside as it is cooking. You can, however, place a whole spaghetti squash in a 350 degrees f oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 5 minutes to help soften in before cutting in half.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash (Easy Step-by-Step Guide)

Servings: 1 spaghetti squash 1x

Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2 ½ – 3 pounds)
Salt and black pepper
Parchment paper
Large rimmed baking sheet

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Slice both ends from the squash and discard.
Stand the squash up on one of its cut ends and use a large chef’s knife to cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop the seeds and stringy insides out using a large spoon. Sprinkle with salt.
Place the squash cut-side down on the baking sheet.
Bake 40-55 minutes or until the squash is tender. Baking time will depend on the size of your squash with larger squash requiring a longer cooking time.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the squash to cool slightly.
Scrape the strands out using a fork. Season with salt and pepper and use as desired.
Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, place cooled spaghetti squash strands in a freezer-safe container with lid or plastic zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw spaghetti squash in the fridge overnight and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until hot.

Notes

To make your squash easier to cut, you can place the whole spaghetti squash into a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave it on high for 5 minutes. Allow the squash to cool slightly before cutting. Scoring the outside of the squash with a sharp knife from top to bottom on each side before placing it in the oven or microwave should also make it easier to cut and you’ll have a guide to follow when it comes time to cut.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 42
Fat: 0g
Sodium: 28mg
Carbohydrate: 10g
(Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g)
Protein: 1g

Dietary

Dairy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-free Grain-Free Nut-free Paleo Vegan Vegetarian Whole30

Recipe By: Jessica Beacom