Spaghetti squash is an underrated vegetable. It is easily accessible and can be prepared in a number of ways. Beneath its hard exterior is a soft flesh that turns into spaghetti when cooked.
If you, like many, are intimidated by this veggie and are wondering how to prepare it, this is just the place for you. Here, we will give you 4 different ways to cook spaghetti squash (we also have a favorite) with specific tips and tricks for best results.
Choosing the Right Squash
As you are preparing to cook a spaghetti squash, it is important to know how to differentiate the right one. Its ripeness and texture are the two things you need to consider before you select one to cook. Different spaghetti squash recipes call for different sizes and texture.
Go with squash that is heavy for its size. This indicates good moisture content. The skin should be firm, smooth, and free from blemishes, soft spots, or mold. Besides, the size of the squash also matters significantly. If possible, go for smaller ones as they are great for fresh meals.
Preparing to Cook
It all starts with preparing your spaghetti for cooking. This step includes everything from peeling them and cutting them to scooping out the seeds.
The following steps provide a guide to prepping a squash before cooking:
At first, slice the squash in half with a sharp knife along the length of its body. Take your time to do this carefully to avoid any injuries.
Use an ice cream scooper or a spoon to scoop out all the seeds and stringy parts of the squash.
Once everything is clean, season the squash with salt and some olive oil. Let it marinate for a few minutes before you start the cooking process.
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash (4 Ways)
As mentioned, there are several ways to cook spaghetti squash. The following are the 4 most popular ones.
1. Baking/Roasting
This is our favorite way of cooking spaghetti squash. It results in soft and tender strands that develop a slight sweetness as they bake in the oven.
Ingredients:
Spaghetti squash
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder (optional)
Herbs (optional)
Instructions:
Initially, set your oven at 400°F (200°C).
Cut spaghetti squash in half length-wise and scoop out the seeds and the stringy parts with a spoon.
Both halves should be drizzled with olive oil and adequately seasoned with salt and pepper.
The squash pieces should be placed on parchment paper or an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet cut side down. This allows the moisture to trickle down from the squash into the sheet.
Roast for about 30-45 minutes to make the flesh tender that can easily be pierced by a fork. To check for doneness, turn one of the halves over and drag a fork over the flesh. If it shreds into strands, it is ready. If not, keep baking for 5-10 minutes while checking in between.
Once cooked, take them out from the heat source and allow a cooling down period. Then, scrape off its flesh with a fork forming strands resembling spaghetti.
If you’re making squash to replace your noodles in the pasta, this is the way to go.
Ingredients:
Spaghetti squash
Water
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Utilizing a sharp knife, cut the spaghetti squash into half crosswise or in rings and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Next, take a large pot and fill it with enough water to completely submerge the squash; add 1-2 teaspoons of salt for taste. Place on medium-high heat until boiling.
Once completely boiling, gently put in either halves or rings of the squashes at once. Depending on size, they should be boiled for about 20-30 minutes until they can be pierced with a fork.
Then remove them from the pot with the help of tongs then allow them to cool down for a few minutes.
Finally, shred it using a fork into spaghetti-shaped strands that are fit as an accompaniment dish or replace pasta within your favorite recipes.
It is easy, hands-free and gives you delicious squash in less than 10 minutes.
Ingredient:
Spaghetti squash(1 medium size)
Water
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Equipment:
Instant Pot: Any model that has a pressure-cooking function.
Trivet: The metal rack usually provided with the Instant Pot, to keep the squash above water level.
Instructions:
To prepare it, you should first halve the spaghetti squash from top to bottom and remove its seeds using a spoon. Season the inside with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Pour a cup of water into your Instant Pot and put the trivet inside it. Next up, take those halved squashes with their cut side towards you, keep them on that trivet, and lock up the lid for pressure cooking; ensure that the valve is set to the sealing position.
Choose the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” option after which you set the timer between 7-10 minutes depending on how big your squash is. When time runs out, swiftly release the pressure by turning the valve from one direction towards the other where it indicates a “venting” sign.
At last, remove the lid and use a fork or anything similar to scrape out strings from the flesh. If the squash is soft enough, remove it from the pot and enjoy!
When cooking with spaghetti squash, timing is everything to achieve your required texture. How long a spaghetti squash cooks depends on the size of the squash and also its method of cooking. Overcooked strands are usually too soft or mushy while undercooked ones are too tough.
Cooking Time for Baked Spaghetti Squash
30-45 minutes: When baking at 400°F (200°C), the strands become tender yet slightly firm.
Cooking Time for Microwaved Spaghetti Squash
8-12 minutes: On high power, microwaving takes a shorter period and results in a softer texture.
Cooking Time for Boiled Spaghetti Squash
20-30 minutes: Soft, easily shredded strands are obtained by boiling these half or ringed squashes until tender.
Cooking Time for Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
7-10 minutes: Pressure cooking through Instant Pot takes much less time.
To get spaghetti squash perfectly cooked you have to start checking its readiness several minutes before the expected time. Use a fork to poke the flesh; it should yield slightly but not too soft. If it is not done, continue to cook in small intervals until it reaches the right texture.
Regardless of the method, always let the cooked squash cool slightly before scraping the flesh into strands. This ensures the strands separate easily and maintain their spaghetti-like appearance.
Addition Tips
Soften It Before Cooking: One effective tip for easy cutting and cooking is to soften the spaghetti squash. You can do this by either baking it at 400ºF for 10 minutes or microwaving the whole squash in 1-minute intervals. Make sure to prick the squash with a fork throughout to prevent it from bursting.
Slice The Ends Off: Another tip for easy cutting is to slice the top and bottom of the squash off. Since the stem is the hardest thing to take off, removing the top and bottom assists in cutting the squash into two halves.
Draw Out Moisture: In order to prevent excess moisture in your spaghetti squash, it is important to draw out water from the veggie. Let your spaghetti rest for a few minutes after you add salt and olive oil to the cut halves.
Types of Spaghetti Squash
The most popular spaghetti squash is the Standard 'Spaghetti Squash’. It has a yellow form that is found mostly in oval shapes and with a firm rind. After cooking, this squash produces an edible flesh with long strands similar to those found in our favorite pasta dishes making it a popular choice for people on low-carb diets as they can take it instead of spaghetti.
The other type is called 'Orange Spaghetti Squash' which contains more beta-carotene compared to its counterpart above; it has about 10% more sugar thus making it taste sweeter too.
Lastly, there is the 'Stripetti Squash' which has been bred out of a cross between Delicata and Spaghetti Squash having greenish-yellow strips along the surface. It has a light sweetness in flavor.
Ways To Serve Spaghetti Squash
This low-carb vegetable is great on its own, fresh out of the oven, and seasoned with some salt, pepper, and butter. But if you're feeling a little creative, then by all means, try it with several other meals:
Pasta: Spaghetti squash is an obvious choice to use as a low-calorie substitute for pasta noodles. Heat some pasta sauce, ideally marinara or Alfredo, and just spoon over squash bits.
Stuffed: Similar to the other varieties of squash, you can also stuff your spaghetti squash with minced meat, mushrooms, and even diced veggies. Scoop the inside and fill it with your favorite filling and roast it.
Apart from this, you may also serve it with salmon and steaks dishes as a side.
How To Store and Reheat Spaghetti Squash
Store raw uncooked spaghetti squash in your kitchen for 1-2 months. When it comes to cooked squash, here is how to store it:
Storage: For short-term storage, put the cooked squash in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the spaghetti squash for longer-term storage. After the squash has cooled, take it and place it in a freezer-friendly bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible out of the bag before sealing. Place it in the freezer, and it will keep for up to a month.
Reheat: Squash is rather easy to reheat; one does this either by placing it in a microwave for a few minutes or reheating it in the pan. During this reheating process, you can add any seasoning to mix into the food.
