Learn How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Oven, Air Fryer, Instant Pot and Microwave. Includes tips and tricks on how to cut spaghetti squash and the best way to cook spaghetti squash for long thin strands.
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Easy Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Love spaghetti squash and wondering what the best method is for cooking it?
We make spaghetti squash a ton once squash season hits and depending on how we feel, we will make roasted spaghetti squash in the oven or use the recipe for our Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash and Air Fryer Squash.
What is Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti Squash is a yellow, oval shaped vegetable that is in season in the fall and winter months. When cooked, the inside of the squash can be shredded into long, thin strands. The texture is stringy like angel hair pasta and makes a delicious gluten free, paleo, Whole30, low carb keto substitute for regular pasta noodles.
How does spaghetti squash taste?
Spaghetti squash has a very mild slightly sweet squash-like flavor when eaten on it’s own. It is much milder than other fall squashes like butternut squash, delicata squash and acorn squash.
Depending on how long you cook it, there is a slight crunch to them if you cook it al dente and softer and watery if you cook it longer. Because of its milder taste, it is super versatile and pairs well with almost any sauce or seasoning that you use on real spaghetti.
How to Cut Spaghetti Squash
Start by washing and drying a medium spaghetti squash.
Second, make sure you have a large, sharp food knife to slice the squash either in half vertically or horizontally into rings.
I find it much easier to cut the squash horizontally into rings. The squash cooks much quicker and the strands end up longer. If you’re not making a stuffed spaghetti squash recipe, then feel free to choose whichever method you like best.
Afraid of cutting spaghetti squash? Another option is to poke a few holes in it and stick it directly into an air fryer, microwave or the Instant Pot – this helps to soften the outer skin making it much easier to cut.
Ingredients you need
- 1 medium whole spaghetti squash
- Oil – we like to use avocado oil spray but extra-virgin olive oil works as well
- Salt & black pepper
Other seasonings that would be delicious:
- Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, sage, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper
How to cook spaghetti squash
Air Fryer
Slice ends off the squash, then cut horizontally into halves or rings. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Place squash in air fryer basked. Coat with avocado oil spray & season with salt and pepper. Air fry at 375F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then peel the skin and use a fork to shred the strands into long spaghetti noodles.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Whole:
Use a small knife to poke several holes all around the spaghetti squash.
Place the steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Place the squash on top of the basket and close the lid. Turn the vent to SEALED and set to 15 minutes on high pressure for 8 minutes.
Use the quick release when finished. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes.
Use a large knife to cut the squash in half vertically then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.
Cut lengthwise:
Slice your spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.
Place the steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Place the squash halves cut side up on top of the basket and close the lid. Turn the vent to SEALED and set to 8 minutes.
Use the quick release when finished. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.
Bake / Roast in Oven:
Whole:
Use a small knife to poke several holes all around the spaghetti squash.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place whole squash on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 hour (flipping half way through). Allow the squash cool before cutting it open. Scoop out seeds and use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.
Cut lengthwise:
Slice your spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and drizzle with avocado oil or olive oil, salt and pepper.
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Place the squash cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes and then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles”.
Be sure to watch the video below to see how easy this is to make!
Microwave
Slice your spaghetti squash in half.
Scoop out the seeds and place the cut side down in a microwave-safe dish filled with about 1 inch of water. Microwave on high power for 14-15 minutes or until the outer skin is tender. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.
Storage
To store leftover spaghetti squash, place in a sealed air tight container in your fridge for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze Spaghetti Squash
The great thing about spaghetti squash is that you can freeze leftovers in a sealed air tight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat
Remove spaghetti squash from freezer and reheat spaghetti squash leftovers in the microwave for 2 minutes the air fry for 3-5 minutes or in bake in your oven or toaster oven until heated through.
How to serve spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash noodles can be used in any recipe in place of pasta! We love serving ours with Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic, Meatballs with a side of Roasted Broccoli or Air Fried Brussels Sprouts.
More delicious winter squash and spaghetti squash recipes:
Learn How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Oven, Air Fryer, Instant Pot and Microwave. Includes tips and tricks on how to cut spaghetti squash and the best way to cook spaghetti squash for long thin strands.
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- avocado oil OR olive oil
- sea salt and pepper
- Use a small knife to poke several holes all around the spaghetti squash.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place whole squash on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 hour (flipping half way through). Allow the squash cool before cutting it open. Scoop out seeds and use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.
- Slice your spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and drizzle with avocado oil or olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the squash cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes and then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles”.
Recipe Video
Read the post on how to cook spaghetti squash in the air fryer, Instant Pot and microwave.
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