Cooking Spaghetti Squash | Picture the Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to cut spaghetti squash in half before cooking it? ›

You need to cut your spaghetti squash in half before cooking it. Don't let spaghetti squash's hard shell scare you! I've got the trick for cutting spaghetti squash safely (watch our video to see me do it).

The most popular way to cook spaghetti is simple. Put the pasta into plenty of boiling water, stir it, bring it to a simmer, turn the heat off, put a lid on and leave it to finish cooking for 10-12 mins.

Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and cover a baking sheet with foil. Split the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Season the squash with salt and pepper and place, cut-side down, on the baking sheet. Roast the squash until very tender, 45 to 60 minutes.

Use a knife to cut the seeds and pulp from the center of the rings. Place the rings on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan and salt the cut side on both sides of each ring. Let sit for about 20 minutes. Once 20 minutes have passed, remove the excess moisture from the squash with a paper towel.

Use a fork or knife to poke at least eight holes in the gourd. This allows steam to escape from the spaghetti squash when it's cooking and will prevent any explosions in the microwave.

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

Break your spaghetti noodles in half if you need to so they all get submerged in the sauce. Bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low or medium-low for 15 minutes, stirring once to make sure it doesn't stick. After 15 minutes, check that your noodles are done, and serve immediately.

I find that adding too much oil and too much salt at this stage makes the squash a bit watery, so a light drizzle and a light sprinkle will do. Then, poke a few holes in the skin of the squash with a fork and place it cut side down on a baking sheet. Pop it in a pre-heated 400°F oven.

Is eating spaghetti squash good for you? ›

Spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it may aid weight loss and digestive health. Try roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb alternative to pasta, combined with veggies, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Spaghetti squash is a low-calorie food. Its fiber content makes it filling. Since people use it as a substitute for high-calorie foods, it can be a valuable part of a weight-control regimen.

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands. You can also taste it right now — if the noodles are still a bit crunchy for your taste, put the squash back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes more.

Cook in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes on high to soften (you MUST make slits before putting it in the microwave to let steam escape). Remove the squash from the microwave, using a dish towel or oven mitt. Cut the squash in half lengthwise along the slits you made, and slice off the stem.

Cut the top and bottom off of your spaghetti squash. This will take some strength but it is the best way to cut it in half. Then sit it upright on the flat surface you just created by cutting off the bottom - now you should be able to easily cut it down the middle because the inside flesh is exposed.

You can either go for an oil-free version with some water added to the pan for moisture, or – my preferred – brush the inside with a little oil and sprinkle of salt and roast in a 400-degree oven for 45 minutes or until fork tender.

Cutting a spaghetti squash can be hazardous because the shell is so hard. For that reason, some people roast them whole in the oven. You can also cook a whole spaghetti squash in a pressure cooker or a slow cooker with a little water.