How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
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Don’t let the hard shell intimidate you — learn how to cook spaghetti squash in just a few simple steps!
As the days get cooler and shorter, you’ll notice a variety of fall and winter squashes at your local supermarket, including butternut, acorn, and pumpkin. One of the most versatile is spaghetti squash, a medium-sized, oval-shaped squash with yellow skin. Its name comes from the remarkable transformation its flesh undergoes after cooking, turning into spaghetti-like strands that make for a delightful low-carb, low-calorie pasta alternative.
Spaghetti squash’s neutral flavor complements a wide range of sauces, from pesto to tomato sauce, or you can just toss it with butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper. The strands are often mixed with other ingredients and enjoyed right out of the shell, creating a “spaghetti squash boat,” or baked into a comforting spaghetti squash casserole.
While spaghetti squash may initially seem daunting because it’s one of those unwieldy gourds you’re not quite sure how to go at, fear not; with a sharp knife, you’re in good shape. Below I’ll guide you on how to cook spaghetti squash in just a few simple steps.
What You’ll Need To Cook Spaghetti Squash
How to select spaghetti squash
When selecting a ripe spaghetti squash, look for firmness, heavy relative to its size, absence of soft spots, and a creamy to dark yellow color. Ensure that the stem is dry and firm. Spaghetti squash boasts an extended shelf life and can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a month before cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Using a very sharp chef’s knife, cut a sliver off of the stem end of each squash (this creates a flat surface to cut the squash in half). 
Stand each squash upright on a cutting board, flat side down, and slice through them top to bottom, using your body weight to press the knife down, to cut each squash in half.
Using a soup spoon, scrape out the seeds and discard them.
Place the squash halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Flip the squash halves so they are cut side down.
Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the squash is golden brown underneath and tender when pierced with a fork.
Let sit until cool enough to handle, then use a fork to scrape out and fluff the strands. Now you know how to cook spaghetti squash!
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How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
Don’t let the hard shell intimidate you — learn how to cook spaghetti squash in just a few simple steps!
Ingredients
- 2 medium spaghetti squash (about 2½ pounds each)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
- Using a very sharp chef's knife, cut a sliver off of the stem end of each squash (this creates a flat surface to cut the squash in half). Stand each squash upright on a cutting board, flat side down, and slice through them top to bottom, using your body weight to press the knife down, to cut each squash in half. Using a soup spoon, scrape out the seeds and discard them.
- Place the squash halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper. Flip the squash halves so they are cut side down. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the squash is golden brown underneath and tender when pierced with a fork. Let sit until cool enough to handle, then use a fork to scrape out and fluff the strands.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Hey Jenn – would using spaghetti squash in lieu of spaghetti in your Spaghetti Aglio e Olio be suitable? Or any other of your recipes using spaghetti? I’m trying to cut down on high carbs.Thanks!!
Georgia
Hi Georgia, I haven’t tried any of my pasta dishes with spaghetti squash but it certainly worth a try. The spaghetti aglio e olio would be a good option as the sauce is a bit lighter. You could also use half spaghetti and half spaghetti squash. Please LMK how it turns out if you try it!
I wash the outside of the squash, then put on a microwave safe dish and microwave on half power for one minute and check if a little softer, usually do it again for another half to one minute. Then let it cool a bit and it’s much easier to slice in half now! I have also washed the seeds and cooked like they’re pumpkin seeds! Yes and they’re so good, and tastier then the pumpkin seeds! As for cooking same method on pan but I spread the cut side with oo and sprinkle season salt or sometimes just s&p and then shred after cooking and add sauce of choice. And too with fresh grated Romano cheese.
My mother, the Queen of Shortcuts, taught me to microwave hard-shelled squashes for two or three minutes before cutting them in half. This makes the cutting, and the scooping of the seeds, much easier. Is there a reason why cutting the squash raw is better?
Hi Gail, It’s totally fine to microwave for a few minutes.