How To Cook Spaghetti Squash (The Tastiest Way)

For years we wanted to like spaghetti squash, but it always tasted watery and we would only eat it because of its low-calorie content. Until we made a life-changing discovery on how to cook spaghetti squash in the oven, where it becomes caramelized, tasty and finally enjoyable!

Step By Step Instructions To Cook Spaghetti Squash with Images

1. Cut the stem off the large or medium spaghetti squash.

2. Stand the spaghetti squash on the cut side and cut it length-wise.

3. Remove the seeds with a spoon.

4. Bake the spaghetti squash cut side down.

5.   Bake it until slightly caramelized at the edges.

6. Scrape the flesh of the spaghetti squash with a fork to see the strands magically appear!

Tips on How to Cook Spaghetti Squash - The Tastiest Way

• Make sure you cut off the stem of the spaghetti squash with a sharp chef's knife(where it was attached to the vine) before you roast it.  This will create a solid base to cut it in half safely.
• Stand the squash up on a cutting board. Cut the spaghetti squash lengthwise while standing it up on the cut side ( see the image above). Use a sharp knife since the skin tends to be tough.
• With the help of a large serving spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibrous insides around the seeds and discard them ( or save them and plant them if you are lucky enough to have a garden and want to grow your own).
• Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Don't skip the parchment; the spaghetti squash will stick to the baking sheet.
• Bake it cut side down (no seasoning necessary). The goal here is to reduce the amount of moisture and to get some caramelized edges and spaghetti squash strands that are loose and slightly al dente. Baking the spaghetti squash dry, without any water, helps get it perfectly tender without turning it to mush.
• Baking the spaghetti squash cut side down achieves two goals. One, it cooks faster, and two, it caramelizes the edges.
• We prefer to season the spaghetti squash with salt and black pepper after cooking it.
• Spaghetti squash can be baked 3-4 days ahead and stored in a container until you are ready to use it.  It can also be frozen in freezer-quality bags for up to six months. Just reheat it or add it to your favorite spaghetti squash recipe.

Other Spaghetti Squash Cooking Methods

• Cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave: Cut in half and place in a baking dish with a couple of inches of water in the microwave.  In our opinion, this method yields a watery mess; the flavor of the spaghetti squash gets watered down, and the result is just tasteless. We won't judge you if you want to go that route.
• Cooking spaghetti squash in the oven with water: You can also cut it in half and place it in a baking dish with a couple of inches of water in the oven.  This method yields very similar results to the microwave method and takes much longer. We don't see the point of it.
• Cooking spaghetti squash sliced: Sliced and baked, we don't understand this method because you end up with short strands of spaghetti squash instead of the fun long ones.
• Cooking spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot or multi-use cooker: Halved spaghetti squash may fit in your Instant Pot, depending on the size of the squash and your machine. If it does, cook it with a cup of water in the bottom of your IP and a trivet underneath it to keep it out of the water. It will take about 25 minutes at high pressure.
• Do you know any other methods to cook spaghetti squash?  Please leave us a comment below and let us know!

What to do with a cooked Spaghetti Squash

• Go the traditional route and top it with marinara sauce and vegan parmesan cheese.
• Top it with garlic, fresh herbs, and roasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.
• Add it to a Tex-Mex Mexican bake.
• Add it to a shakshuka to add more vegetable goodness.
• Add to your favorite pasta sauce for a low-calorie dinner alternative.
• Cook it with sugar to make a unique tart filling; find the recipe in our Cookbook Tahini & Turmeric.
• Add it to your favorite bowl like this tempeh mango bowl 
• Swap it in any recipe that calls for Zoodles
• Add it to a soup instead of noodles.
• Make a spaghetti squash casserole.
• The mild flavor of this squash lends itself well to so many recipes! What is your favorite way to eat Spaghetti squash?

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