• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Recipe Filter
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

★★★★★ 5 Reviews Recipe Print
gf df nf v vg
By: Erin1/15/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This how to cook a spaghetti squash guide is an easy way to learn how to properly bake spaghetti squash! It is a simple process with only a few steps and can be done in less than an hour.    

barbecue chicken spaghetti squash on tray

Spaghetti squash is one of the first foods I ever tried to ‘healthify’ when I was first beginning my journey to healthier eating during college.

It was starting to pick up stem as a fun alternative to spaghetti and let’s just say, I was invested. I would bring home one spaghetti squash a week, microwave it, and then eat the squash every night, quickly realizing that it was indeed not spaghetti but it was a fun alternative to the beloved pasta.

I would load it up with turkey meatballs, homemade lentil bolognese sauce, shrimp with red sauce, my vegan ricotta cheese, and really anything that was a little bit saucy and I thought would be a good fit in a spaghetti squash bowl.

I was OBSESSED. I’m pretty sure spaghetti squash was coming out of my ears at that point, but I didn’t even care and didn’t see an end in sight.

As my love for spaghetti squash progressed, I realized that baking a spaghetti squash in the oven was a much tastier way to cook spaghetti squash, making the strands a lot softer and even tastier because they begin to caramelize in the oven.

The caramelization seriously adds to the deliciousness of the squash and that’s something you definitely don’t get when it is done in a microwave.

So with all of that being said, let’s get to baking a spaghetti squash!

First things first, when picking out a spaghetti squash, you want to get one between 2-4 pounds. I typically like to get them as large as possible because they are fairly inexpensive and it obviously would produce a lot more squash.

The very first thing I like to do is wash my spaghetti squash completely, just to be sure to get everything off since you will be cutting it and then eating the inside.

Set up a baking sheet with either parchment paper or aluminum foil.

a whole spaghetti squash

Take your clean spaghetti squash and place it in the microwave for 4 minutes. I know what you’re thinking, microwave?! I thought we were baking it! Well, we are but this first step is crucial. It will help to soften the spaghetti squash so that it is easier to cut in half.

If you try to cut the spaghetti squash without the initial microwave, it is possible but it will be a lot harder to do (and more dangerous!)

Cut the spaghetti squash in half length wise, so that you are left with two long boats.

Drizzle the boats with olive oil and using your hand, brush it over the entire cavity of the boat.

Flip them over, face side down, on the parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in oven.

two spaghetti squash skins

You can tell when it is ready when the skin is soft to touch and you can pierce a fork through it.

Once it is baked, take out of the oven and carefully flip them over so the steam can escape, this prevents the squash from getting too soggy.

Once cooled enough (about 30 minutes), using a spoon, scoop seeds out of center of squash and discard or save seeds for roasting.

how to cook a spaghetti squash

Using a fork, pull the squash flesh away from the peel in spaghetti like strands. Use your fork to pull in the same direction of the strands in order to get the longest spaghetti like noodles.

two spaghetti squash boats with strands

Serve immediately! Or stuff your boats after loosening the strands.

This is the best guide for how to cook a spaghetti squash!

two spaghetti squash boats with bbq chicken

spaghetti squash boats with spaghetti strands

CONNECT WITH ERIN LIVES WHOLE!

Be sure to follow me on my social media accounts

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 

If you make one of my recipes, snap a photo and tag it @erinliveswhole on Instagram and hashtag it #ELWeats

spaghetti squash bowls with spaghetti strands
★★★★★ 5 from 5 reviews

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

This how to cook a spaghetti squash guide is an easy way to learn how to properly bake spaghetti squash! It is a simple process with only a few steps and can be done in less than an hour.

Yield 3-4 cups cooked squash 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • one medium spaghetti squash
  • olive oil (about 1/4 cup)

Equipment:

  • baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil
  • large knife
  • cutting board
  • spoon
  • fork

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Set up a baking sheet with either parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  3. Take your clean spaghetti squash and cook it in the microwave for 4 minutes. It will help to soften the spaghetti squash so that it is easier to cut in half.
  4. Cut the spaghetti squash in half length wise, so that you are left with two long boats.
  5. Drizzle the boats with olive oil and using your hand, brush it over the entire cavity of the boat.
  6. Flip them over, face side down, on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  7. Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes depending on size. You can tell when it is ready when the skin is soft to touch and you can pierce a fork through it.
  8. Once it is baked, take out of the oven and carefully flip them over after 5 minutes so the steam can escape, this prevents the squash from getting too soggy.
  9. Once cooled enough (about 30 minutes), using a spoon, scoop seeds out of center of squash and discard or save seeds for roasting.
  10. Using a fork, pull the squash flesh away from the peel in spaghetti like strands. Use your fork to pull in the same direction of the strands in order to get the longest spaghetti like noodles.
  11. Serve immediately! Or stuff your boats after loosening the strands.
Author: Erin Lives WholeCategory: how to
spaghetti squash bowls with spaghetti strands

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

erinliveswhole

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • barbecue chicken spaghetti squash on tray
    Barbecue Chicken Spaghetti Squash Boats
  • bowl of vegan butternut squash soup
    Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan, Dairy-free)
  • lemon chicken spaghetti squash casserole
    Lemon Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
  • stack of banana bread
    Paleo Tahini Banana Bread (Gluten-free, dairy-free)
chocolate chip cookies
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. erin baldwin says

    Posted on 1/3 at 10:16 pm

    I used to be lowkey intimidated by spaghetti squash/had no clue how to prepare it before I stumbled across this recipe a couple years back. Once I realized how easy and good it was I became obsessed and made spaghetti squash boats for like a month straight lol. Appreciate the simple how-to recipes like this one on the blog too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/5 at 4:34 pm

      Hi Erin, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Debra Cole says

    Posted on 10/7 at 8:59 pm

    Kept in the oven for an hour, but the strands were crunchy. How do you cook it so the strands are softer and not crunchy? Or is that just the way the squash is?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/10 at 8:34 pm

      Hi Debra, hmm it shouldn’t have been crunchy still. Was it face down on the tray? It needs more time then.

      Reply
  3. Joanna S. says

    Posted on 9/15 at 5:12 pm

    One of my favorites. The flavors are so good and it’s easy to make. Always comes out perfect. Thank you, Erin.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/16 at 11:46 am

      Hi Joanna, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  4. Haley says

    Posted on 4/12 at 2:28 pm

    Comes out great every time

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 9:16 pm

      Hi Haley, so happy you enjoyed making it!

      Reply
  5. Char says

    Posted on 3/1 at 5:10 pm

    SO HELPFUL! thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/2 at 8:04 pm

      Hi Char, so glad it helped! Hope your squash comes out great!

      Reply
  6. Tom says

    Posted on 1/15 at 8:39 am

    Wow this was amazing! What a healthy and tasty thing to have on a Friday night! Thanks Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

erin in front of a building

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

grocery lists

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

chocolate chip cookies

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

avocado corn salad

Avocado Corn Salad

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

paleo cookie skillet with ice cream

Healthy Cookie Skillet

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

Featured On

good housekeeping logo
parade logo
feed feed logo
business insider logo
everyday health logo
country living logo
bar desserts
truffles
bar desserts
bar desserts
muffins
vanilla birthday cake with chocolate icing

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2023 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled