Want to learn how to cook spaghetti squash? Try it three ways: in the microwave, the oven or the crockpot!
Hi Friends!
Way back in December 2012, I wrote a post sharing 3 ways to cook spaghetti squash. It’s become one of my most popular posts and earlier this week I updated the pictures so I thought it’d be a good time to give it a second look.
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash has become wildly popular lately as a low-carb option to replace spaghetti noodles. It’s paleo-friendly, naturally gluten-free and fairly inexpensive.
Some people may be hesitant to try it because they’re not sure how to cook spaghetti squash. Have no fear! I’m here to help.
First let’s talk about how to cut it:
Step 1: Cut the ends off the spaghetti squash.
Step 2: Stand the squash on end and cut in half length-wise.
Step 3: Option 1: Scoop out the seeds and pulp and discard. Option 2: Leave the seeds in and eat them once the squash is cooked. Option 3: Scoop out the seeds and roast them separately.
**Bonus Tip** Spaghetti Squash can be difficult to cut. To make it easier, put the whole squash in the microwave for 2 minutes before trying to cut it!
There are several ways you can cook spaghetti squash and I think they all have their merits.
3 Ways To Cook Spaghetti Squash
I personally like it prepared all three ways but your preparation method of choice may depend on how much time you have. The crockpot method is fix it and forget it. Oven roasted gives it the most flavor. The microwave method is the fastest if you’re pressed for time.
So let’s get started.
Oven Roasted
Put the two halves face down on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes. Check doneness by pulling a few strands out and taste them. If you want them softer, cook a little longer.
Another oven possibility- try cutting it into rings and baking it!
In the Crockpot
Poke holes with a knife, put the whole squash in a crockpot with two cups of water. Cook on low 4-6 hours on low depending on size. Mine was about 7-8 inches long, medium sized I’d say. I cooked it 4 hours and it was perfect for me, but I still like it a bit crunchy. If you want the strands softer, cook it another hour or two.
Once it’s done, slice in half, scoop out seeds and pull strands with a fork.
In the Microwave
You have two options for the microwave method. You can either cook it whole or cut in the microwave. If you want to cut it, follow the directions above, then put it on a plate or in a glass dish with a little water and microwave 10-12 minutes.
To check to see if it’s done, turn it over and pull at the sides with a fork to separate the strings and taste a few. As you can see, I like to leave the seeds in mine!
If you want to cook it whole, stab it all over with a knife, put it on a plate and microwave for 10-12 minutes, rotating every few minutes until it gets squishy. Then cut and separate strings. Remove the seeds if desired.
So it’s cooked, now what?
Use a fork to pull the strands away from the sides of the cooked squash. Scoop them out or eat straight from the squash!
So there you have it! Now that we’ve learned 3 different ways to cook spaghetti squash, you’re probably looking for some recipes ideas to try, right?
- Spaghetti Squash with Vegan Tomato Basil Cream Sauce via Hummusapien
- The Non-Pizza Pizza via Jennifer Vagios
- Paleo Spaghetti Squash Casserole via Slim Sanity
- Black Bean & Veggie Stuffed Spaghetti Squash via Nutritious Eats
- Lemon Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Hemp & Salmon via Sarah Kay Hoffman
- Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Boats via The Foodie Dietitian
And if you like veggie noodles, check out some of my zucchini noodle recipes!
- Zoodles with Chicken and Spicy Almond Butter Sauce
- Paleo Shrimp Scampi
- 6 Quick and Easy Zoodles Recipes
[Tweet “Want to learn how to cook spaghetti squash? @Leangrnbeanblog gives you 3 options!”]
Things like spaghetti squash and other veggies are great for food prep! If you liked this post, you’ll love my ebook – The Ultimate Guide To Food Prep. It dives into even more detail about how to food prep, troubleshoots common problems and provides tons of tips to make it easier! Click the image below for more details!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay
PS. I’m thinking about making a Squish with vegetables calendar. Best-seller for sure, right? He looks really cute with the squash but don’t let him fool you. That lasted about 5 minutes. The remainder of the hour was more like the middle picture- me trying to take pictures and him laying on the floor screaming 🙂
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i’ve only made spaghetti squash in the oven – i like the idea of the crockpot option though!
OOOH.
the crockpot had NEVER occurred to me either.
Spaghetti Squash is a daily staple for me! I roast a ton to have for the week, but sometimes I just microwave a whole one if I am short on time! Microwaves are crazy powerful tools!
I’m not a huge fan of spaghetti squash (eat pasta!), but I’m super impressed that you got your work done with Squish being uncooperative! 🙂
i love pasta too 🙂 forever a carb lover!
The first time I made spaghetti squash, I overcooked it and it burst in my kitchen lol!
…This reminds me of your recent insta picture of squish in the background faceplanting. Best. Ever.
haha yikes!!
I love using the crockpot for mine – easy and I don’t have to tend to it!! But I also love the crispier flavor from the oven!
Um – I’d totally buy that calendar!
i agree!
I’ve never made it in the crock pot before, mostly the oven. I’ll have to try it!
it’s about as easy as it gets!
I tried the crockpot a couple times, but my squash is always too big to fit in it! Maybe it’s time for a new crockpot?
hmm yeah i’m thinking so 🙂 or a smaller squash lol
Love it! I usually boil mine but I may try oven roasting. Thanks!
hope you like it!
You totally stole my idea! I was going to do a how to about cooking ss in the microwave–that is how I do mine every time, ahaha. Then again, your post is way better than mine ever could have been!
haha great minds think alike!
Aww, a Squish calendar with vegetables would be the BEST thing!! You should totally do it. Have a great weekend 🙂
haha i might 🙂
This sounds so good. To be honest, I’ve never heard of this spaghetti squash! I wonder if we have it in the Netherlands as well, but I will definitely look for it!
hope you can find it!
Squish with the squash!! Those pics are so adorable. Totally worth the hour of protest ;). Thanks so much for including my spaghetti squash eggplant parm boats!
after watching the roast spaghetti squash prep by hungry hungry
hippie (thanks a million, Elise!) I realize I had been CUTTING the
s. squash wrong all. this. time. it really should be chopped WIDTH
wise, NOT length wise. the strands of ‘spaghetti’ forked out of the squash
are perfect: longer and cooked al dente..not mushy because they’re short.
I love her technique! 🙂
yep! i included a tip about that way as well! very cool!
I’ve never heard of cooking it in a crockpot. I don’t buy spaghetti squash often although its yummy. I am a hardcore fan of the butternut squash though.
wonder if you could do a butternut squash in the crockpot?! probably!
I microwave mine a bit, cut, then microwave again!
I love oven-roasted spaghetti squash, but it can be time consuming. I would have never thought about using the microwave or even the crockpot! Great tips! And yes, squish looks adorable with the squash! Love the pictures you share of him. 🙂
thanks Dana!
The microwave can be such a lifesaver. Thanks for linking up my recipe! Xo
such a good tip to microwave the squash before cutting it. i had no idea!
makes it so much easier!
I haven’t made spaghetti squash in awhile so it may be time to break it out again. I didn’t think about cooking it in the microwave but that’s so great bc I can be super lazy! I usually cook my sweet potatoes that way too.
me too! it’s a great time saver!
I don’t make spaghetti squash very often, but when I do it’s delicious. I’m going to have to try putting it in the crockpot. I never thought of that before.
it’s about as easy as it gets!
I use the oven method though I have used the microwave at times too. I like a nice tomato/lentil sauce on top– spaghetti squash is so low-cal that I feel it needs something hearty on top.
Confession: I’ve never cooked a spaghetti squash. I will have to give it a try! I do enjoy ordering it in restaurants, though 🙂
yay! have fun! it’s super easy!
You mean I can actually microwave spaghetti squash? This just saved me so much time! I don’t know why I never thought about that. I also love the tip about microwaving before you cut it, when they are large they are so dang hard to cut through! Thanks Lindsay!
for sure! give it a try!
Thank you for these tips. Your post has given way to what’s quickly become a weekend fave! We top the oven-roasted squash with sauteed vegetables. Any left-over squash becomes part of a scrambled eggs/veggies we normally put over brown rice. Thanks again!
glad to hear it!
Oh I’m going to have to try the crock pot method!! I’ve always microwaved it, but just yesterday I roasted it in the oven whole and it turned out great (poked holes and just baked at 375 for about 45 min, till it got soft). Great informational post!
I love the microwave tip! I would have been scared to try that, but now that you say so, I’ll give it a try.