How To Cook Spaghetti Squash – 5 Methods
Posted: 02/26/2018
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Learning how to cook spaghetti squash can be a daunting task initially, but with these five easy methods, you’ll be an expert in no time at all!
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After the huge success of my guide on how to cook acorn squash, I knew I had to bring you this guide for spaghetti squash. It can be a little more daunting since it’s not like all other squash varieties, so we’re going to go through it step-by-step!
Tip: If you love squash like we do, make sure to also check out my tutorials on butternut squash, kabocha squash, and delicata squash!
Overview
My favorite way is also the most labor intensive, which is why I cover all of these different ways. You can make the decision based on what’s best for you today:
- Do you need it to be hands-off and cook slowly in the slow cooker while you work or run errands? The slow cooker method is for you.
- Do you need it done fast? Use your Instant Pot.
- If you have a little more time, try the oven methods!
Also in this post are serving suggestions and storing recommendations. Once you learn how to cook spaghetti squash, you’re going to be making it all the time! As always, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments (I always reply!) or send me an email.
If you try one of these methods, make sure to leave a comment with which one you tried and how it turned out! I’d love to hear how you served it, too. (PS: A star rating is always appreciated!)
FAQs
Can I cook spaghetti squash in the microwave?
Yes, you can. It may be a little tricky, depending on the size of your microwave oven. Cut the squash in half, and place cut side down in a baking dish with about an inch of water.
Microwave on high power for 10-15 minutes, or until soft. Cook time will depend on how large your squash is.
Do you have to peel spaghetti squash?
None of the five methods here require peeling the squash, but you probably don’t want to eat the peel as it is quite tough.
What’s the easiest way to cut a spaghetti squash?
Squash is very hard to cut through, so here’s a little tip. Poke some holes in it with a sharp knife (this is to release pressure), and then microwave for 3-5 minutes. Let cool, and then cut. Microwaving the squash softens the peel and makes it easier to slice through.
What happens if you overcook spaghetti squash?
Unfortunately, overcooked spaghetti squash can be mushy and watery, so keep an eye on it while it’s cooking. You want it to be soft, but not mushy. Some crispness in the strands will lead to a more enjoyable experience.
What if I undercook my spaghetti squash?
This is an easy fix! You can return to your preferred cooking method and just cook it a little longer. Five to ten more minutes in the oven might be all it needs. If you were using the pressure cooker method, you could cook it again for 3-5 minutes (remember it will take some time to come to pressure again. If you were using the slow cooker method and don’t want to wait another hour or two, try popping it in the microwave (see above microwave directions), or switch to the baking method.
Five Ways to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Each of these ways is completely effective and has its own pros and cons. My personal favorite is cutting it into rings and baking it. That method prevents the squash from steaming and becoming watery. It yields the pretty, spaghetti-like strands that you see in these photos. This method also allows you to season the squash, which is always a good thing!
As always, the printable instructions can be found if you scroll down to the recipe card!
Baking Spaghetti Squash in Rings
This is my preferred method, provided I have the time and energy to slice the squash into rings.
Pros: This method yields perfect strands of spaghetti squash every time and won’t leave you with soggy “noodles.”
Cons: The prep for this method is more labor intensive and a little trickier, be careful with your knife!
Baking Whole Spaghetti Squash
This method is quite straightforward and arguably the most well-known method of cooking squash.
Pros: It doesn’t get much easier than this!
Cons: The squash steams on the inside, yielding softer, more watery spaghetti squash.
Baking Spaghetti Squash Halves
If I don’t feel like messing with the rings, this is always my next option and the method I use to cook many types of squash.
Pros: Super easy, since there is only one cut to make.
Cons: Slightly soggier squash than with the ring method.
Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot
Pros: This is the quickest method and requires very little monitoring.
Cons: Depending on the size of your squash and your pressure cooker, it may not fit. This method also makes the squash very soft, you may find it even falls apart, which makes it harder to get those nice strands of squash out.
A note about this method – I have a 6 quart pressure cooker and my squash was between 3.5 and 4 pounds (if we’re being exact, it was 3.75 pounds). The squash pretty much filled my Instant Pot to capacity, so if you have a 6 quart Instant pot, make sure to keep this in mind when selecting a squash – I wouldn’t go any larger than 3.75 pounds for this cooking method. If you choose a smaller squash, you can decrease cooking time slightly.
Cooking Spaghetti Squash in the Slow Cooker
This method is very similar to using an Instant Pot, but it’s slower…hence the name, slow cooker. You can also cook butternut squash in the slow cooker.
Pros: Set it and forget it! This is a great method if you plan to be gone for the majority of the day. It also doesn’t require cutting a raw squash, which is nice.
Cons: Similar to the Instant Pot, this method will make your squash quite soft and it may fall apart, making it harder to remove the seeds and separate the strands.
Serving Suggestions
Spaghetti squash is a blank slate, just like normal spaghetti! You can try it with an easy turkey bolognese to start, but here are some other fun options:
- Vegan Bolognese
- Spaghetti Sauce with loads of tomatoes and basil, slow simmered on the stove
- Nut-Free Arugula Pesto
- Tomato Cream Sauce
- Chicken, Spinach, and Lemon Cream Sauce
- Skinny Alfredo Sauce
- Chicken Fajita Stuffed Spaghetti Squash (you can replace the chicken with shrimp, steak, taco meat, or black beans)
- Pizza Stuffed Spaghetti Squash (use your favorite pizza toppings)
Storage Suggestions
Cooked spaghetti squash will keep for about a week stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
spaghetti squash
Learning how to cook spaghetti squash can be a daunting task initially, but with these five easy methods, you’ll be an expert in no time at all!
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (for oven roasting methods)
- salt and pepper (for oven roasting methods)
Instructions
To Cook in Rings in Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Scrub squash clean and CAREFULLY cut into 1-inch rings.
- Scrape out seeds
- Spray or rub squash rings with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in a single layer on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly before using a fork or your hands to form spaghetti squash strands.
To Cook Whole In Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub the squash clean. Next, use a knife to prick holes all over the squash.
- Place on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F until tender (poke with a knife to test) — about an hour, depending on how large of a squash you have. Turn the squash over halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- When tender, let cool enough to handle. Cut in half – if you cut it lengthwise (from stem to end), you’ll have shorter spaghetti strands. If you cut it crosswise, you'll have longer strands.
- Remove seeds. Use a fork to separate the squash into strands.
To Cook Cut in Half In Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub the squash clean.
- Cut in half – if you cut it lengthwise (from stem to end), you’ll have shorter spaghetti strands. If you cut it crosswise, you’ll have longer strands. Scoop out the seeds.
- Drizzle inside lightly with olive oil (use a brush or your hands to evenly coat) and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the squash cut side down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Roast at 400°F until tender (poke with a knife to test) — about an hour, depending on how large of a squash you have.
- When tender, let cool enough to handle. Use a fork to separate the squash into strands.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot
- Scrub squash clean and carefully pierce all over with knife (10-15 cuts, 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size).
- Place steamer basket in the bottom of the pressure cooker and add 1 cup water. Place squash in/on steamer basket.
- Secure lid, turn valve to seal, and set for 20 minutes on high pressure. When timer goes off, quick release pressure by turning the valve to "vent."
- Carefully remove squash and let cool enough to handle. Cut in half – if you cut it lengthwise (from stem to end), you’ll have shorter spaghetti strands. If you cut it crosswise, you’ll have longer strands. Remove seeds. Use a fork to separate the squash into strands.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Slow Cooker
- Scrub squash clean and carefully pierce all over with a knife (10-15 cuts, 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size).
- Place squash in slow cooker and place the cover on. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours or until easily pierced with a knife.
- Carefully remove squash and let cool slightly. Cut in half – if you cut it lengthwise (from stem to end), you’ll have shorter spaghetti strands. If you cut it crosswise, you’ll have longer strands. Remove seeds.
- Use a fork to separate the squash into strands.
Notes
- Cooking and prep times will vary depending on which cooking method is used.
- Cooked spaghetti squash will keep for about a week stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup of spaghetti squash. Nutrition details calculated without olive oil.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 62kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 59mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Tamara Arnold says
I am going to try the ring method tonight and was wondering on average how long it takes to cook using this method? Thanks!
Rachel Gurk says
Hi Tamara! It takes about 40 minutes to cook using that method. All the cook times can be found in the recipe card, which you can print if you’d like!
Heather says
I baked in the ring method. Sliced a small section off side of squash so it wouldn’t roll around and then used a good chef knife and cutting was pretty easy. The result was great! I like that it seems less mushy this way than the other way and you can twirl up a pretty portion from the ring for serving.
Rachel Gurk says
Yes! I agree! I’m so glad you liked it, thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
hannah says
So I’ve never liked spaghetti squash as noodle replacement because it was always soggy, gross.
Your ring baking method is the solution – brilliant. Now I want to try it this week!
Rachel Gurk says
It really is the best way to do it! I hope you love it!
JOANNE I MURPHY says
The ring method is the best! I’m so happy to have found your recipe! To be sure, cutting this squash is the hardest part. I’ve started using my old beat up chef knife and a plastic meat mallet. Pounding the knife with the mallet makes cutting rings fast and safe.
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you like this method!
Andrea says
I’ve been searching for the best way to make spaghetti squash for sometime now and came across Rachel’s suggestion to cook in rings, and oh my! the results were perfect!!! My problem was that my squash always came out too watery or mushy. This method cooks the squash to perfection in shorter time and gives the perfect texture. I spread out onto parchment paper in single layer after cooking to get a slight crisp. Finish with whatever sauce or topping you prefer, or just eat as is- you won’t be disappointed. Thanks Rachel!
Rachel Gurk says
So happy to hear it worked well for you! Thanks for the comment, means a lot to me!