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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.ย ย ย ย
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.
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.
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.
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.
Serve immediately! Or stuff your boats after loosening the strands.
This is the best guide for how to cook a spaghetti squash!
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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.
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
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Set up a baking sheet with either parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Once cooled enough (about 30 minutes), using a spoon, scoop seeds out of center of squash and discard or save seeds for roasting.
- 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.
- Serve immediately! Or stuff your boats after loosening the strands.
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erin baldwin says
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!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it! ๐
Debra Cole says
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?
Erin says
Hi Debra, hmm it shouldn’t have been crunchy still. Was it face down on the tray? It needs more time then.
Joanna S. says
One of my favorites. The flavors are so good and it’s easy to make. Always comes out perfect. Thank you, Erin.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Joanna, so glad you loved it!
Haley says
Comes out great every time
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Haley, so happy you enjoyed making it!
Char says
SO HELPFUL! thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Char, so glad it helped! Hope your squash comes out great!
Tom says
Wow this was amazing! What a healthy and tasty thing to have on a Friday night! Thanks Erin!
★★★★★