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Spaghetti Squash is one of our favorite veggies to cook. Spaghetti Squash is such a versatile veggie that you can eat with a bit of butter or use it to create an amazing main dish.
I know, I know you are thinking to yourself, how much information is there to know about a vegetable. But you would be surprised! There is so much that makes the spaghetti squash a perfect veggie!
If you want to knowhow to bake spaghetti squash scroll down until you get to the how to bake spaghetti squash in the oven for full instructions. If you want to know how to make spaghetti squash in the microwave scroll down to that section below. If you want to know how to cut spaghetti squash, you guessed it scroll on down. 🙂
You will also find how to to tell if a squash is ripe, how to store squash, and well anything else along the way that I think would help you to know about spaghetti squash. You won’t find out about growing spaghetti squash because every time I have tried to I have killed mine, so I stick with buying squash at the grocery store.
How to tell spaghetti Squash is ripe
You can tell your spaghetti squash is ripe when it is golden yellow in color or a darkish yellow color.
When checking the shell of the spaghetti squash for ripeness, you want to push down on the skin with your nail and have your nail NOT penetrate the skin. You also do not want to have any squishy or soft spots in the squash at all. When buying your squash also make sure it has no cracks or splits in the skin.
How to Store Spaghetti Squash
After buying your squash you can store it for up to 3 months, you just need to store it in a cool, dry place at temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees. Storing squash in the fridge will make it spoil quicker, so you want to avoid doing that.
If you have cut your spaghetti squash and are wanting to store it because you will not use the whole things at one time, just wrap it extremely well in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It will keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Just don’t forget that you have it in there. I may or may not do that more times then I want to admit! LOL!
How to cut spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash can be very hard to cut because they are a very firm vegetable with a hard outer shell. Buy you can use a few tricks to make cutting spaghetti squash easier. Personally I end up with my knife in the squash and then banging it against the counter to crack it open the rest of the way so I can cut it. This is not always the best idea. LOL!
If you cant get your knife into the shell to cut it heating it in the microwave will make it easier. Using your knife make little dashes all the way around the squash where you are planning to cut it open. Then place it in the microwave for 5 minutesto soften the outside. Once it comes out you just cut along that line of dashes much easier.You are going to want to cut the spaghetti squash length wise so that you end up with two long pieces.
How To Prepare Spaghetti Squash
Prepping a spaghetti squash is quite simple to do step wise but comes with a few challenges. To prep a spaghetti squash all you have to do is cut it open, scoop out the seeds and you are done. However sometimes it can be a bit tricky to cut them open, so make sure you follow the tips for cutting spaghetti squash above.
Once you have prepped your spaghetti squash you can cook it however you are wanting to. Read below for how to cook spaghetti squash.
After you have cooked the spaghetti squash, using a fork rake out the stringy insides. They will look like noodles, well kinda. That is the tasty part of the spaghetti squash that you are going to want to eat or use in a recipe.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
There are four ways that I like to cook spaghetti squash. You can cook spaghetti squash in the microwave, cook spaghetti squash in the oven, cook spaghetti squash in the crockpot or cook spaghetti squash in an instant pot. I don’t have a preference over microwave spaghetti squash or any of the other cooking methods. It is a personal preference and sometimes based on the amount of time that you have, however cooking spaghetti squash is easy to do. After you have cooked your spaghetti squash you can serve it right away or use it for a recipe. These cooking methods for spaghetti squash will work for no matter what you are doing with your final cooked spaghetti squash.
How to cook Spaghetti Squash in the oven
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Drizzle the cut side of the squash with the oil, salt, and pepper. Place them cut side down on an alumni foil lined sheet pan.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- Let cool until it is cool enough for you to handle.
Scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles.
- Eat as is or use in a recipe. Keep reading for some really amazing spaghetti squash recipes.
How to cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave
Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Place squash flash side down in a microwaveable baking pan.
Add about an inch of water to the pan
Microwave on high for about 12 minutes. You want the squash cooked enough to where you can easily pierce it with a fork. Depending on the microwave and size of the squash this can vary a bit on the cooking time.
- Let cool until it is cool enough for you to handle.
- Scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles.
- Eat as is or use in a recipe. Keep reading for some really amazing spaghetti squash recipes.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Crockpot
Place squash in crockpot.
- Piece 4-5 times per piece with a sharp knife.
Add about a cup of water and put lid on the crockpot
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours
- Remove spaghetti squash from the crockpot and place on a cutting board.
- Let cool until it is cool enough for you to handle, roughly 20-30 minutes
- Cut spaghetti squash open with a knife carefully, as it will be flimsy.
- Scrape out seeds with a spoon, then rake the flesh out with a fork.
- Eat as is or use in a recipe. Keep reading for some really amazing spaghetti squash recipes.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot
Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Place squash inside the instant pot, one half on top of the other flesh side up.
Add a cup of water to it.
Set the instant pot to manual cook, high pressure for 5 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, switch the vent setting to vent and let all the steam out and the pressure to dissipate. This will take about 5 minutes
- Remove lid and check to make sure it is soft and you can rake the squash. If you need to you can cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes to get it cooked all the way.
- Let cool until it is cool enough for you to handle.
- Scrape the flesh with a fork to create noodles.
- Eat as is or use in a recipe. Keep reading for some really amazing spaghetti squash recipes.
How to Make Spaghetti Squash
After your spaghetti squash is cooked you can enjoy it however you want to. You can use one of these amazing pasta sauce recipes on top of it, however my favoriteway my dad used to make it for us was with a little bit of butter and brown sugar mix in. Oh it is so good that way and makes a great side dish!
If you are wanting to make a full meal with your squash instead of a side dish, check out these great spaghetti squash recipes.
- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
- Chicken Pesto Spaghetti Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
- Chicken Enchilada Spaghetti Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
