Spaghetti squash is a delicious squash that is really popular right now not only because of how it tastes, but also because it does a wonderful job mimicking traditional noodles. No matter if you are looking to cut carbs out of your diet or simply want to try this delicious food, you must first know how to prepare it. Since the outside of the squash is so hard and it needs to cook correctly to ensure that it is tasty and not crunchy or mushy, many people are overwhelmed when trying to cook this food. Here are some easy ways to cook spaghetti squash that will help you have dinner on the table in no time.
1. Bake the Squash Whole in the Oven
Anyone who is pressed for time can easily enjoy fresh spaghetti squash simply by baking the vegetable in the oven without cutting it open. This is also a great option for people who struggle with upper body or hand strength, as leaving the vegetable whole means that you don’t have to cut it in half. Simply wash the squash, prick one side with a knife, and bake at 400°F for around an hour to 90 minutes based on size. Allow it to cool completely before cutting it open, and then clean out the seeds and separate the squash into longer strands.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Prick one side with a knife
- Bake the squash open side up for 60-90 minutes
- Let it cool, then cut it open and clean out the seeds
- Use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands
- Top with salt, pepper and grated Parmesan
2. Bake the Squash in Halves
Halves are another really popular way to bake spaghetti squash, and for good reason. If you are strong enough to cut the squash in half prior to cooking, then you can greatly cut down the cooking time and not have to wait for it to cool all the way before separating the strands. Simply cut the squash in half around the middle for shorter strands or lengthwise for longer strands. Remove the seeds with a spoon. Drizzle the halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a sheet and bake at 400°F for about an hour.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Cut the squash in half
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
- Bake the halves cut side down on a sheet for about an hour
- Scrape the strands from the sides
3. Enjoy Baked Squash Rings
This is one of the trickiest ways to bake spaghetti squash, since you have to cut the squash into rings before it is soft. Thoroughly scrub the squash and then carefully cut it into rings. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds before placing the rings on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F until tender and then cool slightly before separating the strands.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Cut the squash into rings
- Scoop out the seeds using a spoon
- Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
- Bake the rings on a sheet until tender
- Let them cool slightly, then separate the strands
4. Cook it in the Microwave
If you don’t want to heat up your oven or if you need your squash in a hurry, then you can easily cook it in the microwave. Start by washing the squash and cutting it in half lengthwise. Place the squash cut side down in a dish and fill the dish with around 1” of water. You can also microwave the squash whole, just remember to cut a few holes in it first to let the steam escape. The squash only needs to be microwaved for about 12 minutes before it is tender, although larger squash will take more time and more powerful microwaves will result in a shorter cook time. Let the squash cool enough to handle it and then scrape out the strands.
Instructions
- Cut the squash in half or leave it whole (cut holes)
- Place it cut side down or whole in a dish with 1″ water
- Microwave the squash for about 12 minutes
- Let it cool and then remove the seeds
- Scrape the spaghetti strands and serve as desired
5. Grill the Squash
Grilled spaghetti squash is fast and easy and has the added bonus of not heating up the kitchen. Begin by heating the grill to medium-high while you prepare the squash. Carefully wash the squash and then cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out all of the seeds before drizzling olive oil on the cut sides and seasoning the squash with salt and pepper. Place the halves, cut side down, directly on the grill and leave them to cook for around 25 minutes. Test the squash with a fork to see when it is done, then remove it from the grill and carefully scoop out the strands.
Instructions
- Fire up the grill to medium-high temperature
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise
- Scoop out all the seeds
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
- Grill the halves cut side down for around 25 minutes, test with a fork
- Remove the squash from the grill and scoop the strands
6. Cook it in an Instant Pot (or other pressure cooker)
The Instant Pot is a great way to cook a spaghetti squash when you’re in a hurry, but only if the pot is large enough to accommodate the squash. Make sure to purchase a squash small enough to fit easily in your pot when trying this method. Carefully scrub the squash and then pierce it all over with a knife. A squash that is small enough can be put in the pot whole, while larger ones will need to be cooked in halves. Add 1 cup of water to the pot, then insert the steamer basket and put the squash or squash halves inside the pot. After securing the lid and setting the valve to seal, allow the whole squash to cook for 20 minutes at a high pressure. Halves, depending on their size, normally need to cook for around 10 to 12 minutes. Quickly release the pressure and remove the squash to cool before cutting it in half and separating the strands.
Instructions
- Use a knife to cut holes in the squash, cut it in half if necessary
- Add 1 cup of water to the pot and place the squash in the steamer basket
- Cook the whole squash at high pressure for 20 minutes, halves 10-12 minutes
- Release the pressure, remove the squash and let it cool
- Remove the seeds, separate the strands and use as you like
7. Use the Slow Cooker
If you’re not in a hurry, then you can easily use your slow cooker to cook a spaghetti squash. Prepare the squash by scrubbing it and pricking it with a knife. The squash can then be cooked, covered with the lid in the slow cooker for three to four hours on high or for six to eight hours on low. It’s important to check the squash with a fork to make sure that it can easily be pierced when the time is up before cooling it and cutting it open to ensure that it is fully cooked. When cooked, allow it to cool, cut it in half, remove seeds, and separate the squash strands.
Instructions
- Prick holes in the squash with a knife
- Place it in the slow cooker, no water needed
- Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low
- Check if the squash is fully cooked by poking it with a fork
- Allow it to cool, then cut it in half and remove the seeds
- Separate the strands and serve as is with some salt and pepper
8. Roast it Over an Open Fire
You can even enjoy spaghetti squash out in the great outdoors if you have a campfire and a little time. After your campfire has burned down a bit and you have coals, then you can easily cook your squash. Start by cleaning the squash, cutting it in half lengthways, removing the seeds, and seasoning it with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the squash halves cut side up on a grill rack over the fire. Cook it this way for about half an hour before turning it to cook for around 10 more minutes. At this point you can check to see if it is done, allow it to cool off of the fire, and then remove the strands.
Instructions
- Start a campfire and let it burn down a bit
- Cut the squash in half lengthways
- Remove all the seeds
- Season the squash with olive oil, salt and pepper
- Place the halves cut side down on a grill rack and cook for half an hour
- Turn the halves and cook for another 10 minutes, test with a fork
- Remove the squash from the fire and scrape the strands