Spaghetti squash is an excellent alternative to pasta, as it is lower in calories and carbohydrates but still provides a satisfying amount of fiber and nutrients. If you are looking for how to cook spaghetti squash in 4 different ways, you’re in the right place. This is the article you need to read.
1. How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in Oven
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 ° F
Step 2: Cut the spaghetti squash half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Next, brush the flesh of the squash with avocado oil and season with salt and ground black pepper.
Step 3: Place two squash halves face down on a baking sheet and roast at 400° F for 40 minutes.
Step 4: Once the squash is cooked, use a fork to scrape out the “spaghetti” strands into a bowl. Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
2. How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Be careful when cutting, as the squash can be tough to cut through. Next, scoop out the seeds and any stringy pulp from the center of the squash using a spoon.
Rub the flesh of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Then place two half of the squash, cut side up, in the air fryer basket.
Air fry the squash for 15-20 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and the edges are lightly browned. Repeat with the other half of the squash.
Use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash out of the skin. The flesh should come out in long strands that resemble spaghetti.
Serve the spaghetti squash with your favorite sauce or toppings.
3. How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1/4 cup of water
Instructions
First, cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Be careful when cutting, as the squash can be tough to cut through. Next, scoop out the seeds and any stringy pulp from the center of the squash using a spoon.
Place one half of the squash, cut side down, in a microwave-safe dish. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the dish.
Microwave the squash on high for 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the squash and the power of your microwave. Check the squash frequently, and rotate it if necessary, to ensure that it cooks evenly.
Remove the dish from the microwave and let the squash cool for a few minutes. Then use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash out of the skin. The flesh should come out in long strands that resemble spaghetti. Repeat with the other half of the squash.
Serve the spaghetti squash with your favorite sauce or toppings.
4. How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Prepare the Squash
Start by washing the spaghetti squash under running water to remove any dirt. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise from stem to base.
This can be a bit tough, so take your time and use a steady surface. Once halved, scoop out the seeds and stringy bits from the center with a spoon—discard them or save the seeds for roasting if you’d like.
Set Up the Instant Pot
Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet (the one that came with it) into the pot, ensuring it sits flat. The water should just touch the bottom of the trivet.
Arrange the Squash
Place the two halves of the spaghetti squash on the trivet, cut side up. Depending on the size of your Instant Pot (assuming a standard 6-quart or 8-quart model), they should fit snugly side by side. If they don’t, you can stack them slightly, but try to keep them as stable as possible.
Pressure Cook
Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to the “sealing” position. Set the pressure cook (or manual) function to high pressure for 7 minutes.
For a 3-pound squash, this timing works well to get strands that are tender but not mushy. The pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time starts.
Release Pressure
Once the 7 minutes are up, carefully turn the valve to “venting” for a quick release. Watch out for the hot steam—use a utensil if needed to avoid burns. When the pressure pin drops, it’s safe to open the lid.
Check and Shred
Remove the squash halves using tongs or oven mitts (they’ll be hot!) and place them on a cutting board. Let them cool for a couple of minutes if they’re too hot to handle.
Then, use a fork to scrape the flesh lengthwise, pulling it into those classic spaghetti-like strands. They should separate easily if cooked just right.
Serve
Season the strands with salt, pepper, butter, or your favorite sauce—like marinara or pesto—and enjoy! A 3-pound squash typically yields about 4-6 cups of cooked strands, depending on how densely packed it is.
Now, you knew how to cook spaghetti squash in 4 different ways. It’s pretty easy and simple, isn’t it?. I hope that after reading this article, you can easy enjoy spaghetti squash at home. Good luck.
