Learn how to roast spaghetti squash. This nutritious and delicious winter squash can replace carb-heavy noodles or shine as a main dish on its own or an impressive side.
Spaghetti squash is a gluten free, low carb option for eating spaghetti. It can replace the pasta in any dish like this One-Pan Shrimp Spaghetti can be easily swapped with spaghetti squash!
While you can combine it with meat for a meal with lots of filling protein, it’s easy to keep it vegetarian and vegan as well. I make it so often like for my Spaghetti Squash Casserole Recipe, Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs, and Spaghetti Squash with Sun dried Tomato and Basil.
How to roast spaghetti squash
With just a little prep work, your spaghetti squash can roast while you are busy doing other things. Spaghetti squash can actually be eaten raw, but it’s much better cooked using this method. Here’s how to roast a spaghetti squash:
- Cut the squash in half from the top to the bottom. The skin is tough, so if you are having trouble cutting it, put the squash in the microwave for about five minutes. Pierce the skin in a dotted line where you plan to cut it first. The heat will soften the outer skin.
- Scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. You can roast the seeds just as you would pumpkin seeds if you want to keep them.
- Pour olive oil on the flesh of the squash and season it with salt and pepper.
- Place the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30-40 minutes at 400F.
- To make it look like spaghetti strands, scrape a fork through the flesh.
Other cooking methods
You can cook spaghetti squash in a crock pot or Instant Pot as well.
To cook spaghetti squash in the crock pot, you can leave it whole and just pierce the skin a few times. Put two cups of water in the bottom of the pot. Allow it to cook on low for eight hours. Cool it slightly and prepare the same way.
For quick cooking, use an Instant Pot. Prepare the squash the same way by cutting it in half and removing the seeds. Pour a cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Put the spaghetti squash on a trivet so it doesn’t sit in the water and get soggy. Cook on high for seven minutes. Do a quick release to stop the cooking process immediately.
What goes with spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash’s mild flavor means it not only looks like pasta, but also tastes similar. Any kind of pasta sauce can be added to make it more like wheat pasta.
But there are lots of other ways to eat this veggie. Try some of these:
- Take advantage of the space left by removing the seeds and stuff it with Bolognese sauce
- Add shrimp and toss it with pesto
- Include spaghetti squash in soups and stews
- Use as a pizza topping
- Gluten free spaghetti pie
More Spaghetti Squash Recipes to Try:
- Spaghetti Squash With Meatballs
- Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp
- Spaghetti Squash with Sun dried Tomato and Basil
- Easy Bolognese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
How to Make Spaghetti Squash
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Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Halve the spaghetti squash and remove seeds, using a spoon.
- Pour over olive oil on the inside of the spaghetti squash and season with salt and black pepper.
- Place spaghetti squash cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast in oven on middle rack for about 30-40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Using a fork, gently scrap from one end to the other. Serve it with your favorite protein recipes. So good!
Tips
- If you have trouble cutting the spaghetti squash in half, microwave it for 5 minutes to help soften it.
- You can keep the spaghetti squash seeds and roast them like you would with pumpkin seeds.
- To store: Once cooked, spaghetti squash should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it’ll keep for up to 5 days.
- To reheat: You can microwave leftover spaghetti squash.Â
- To freeze: Freeze cooked spaghetti squash for up to 3-4 months in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
T Smith says
Thank you for making this easy and delicious.
Olivia Ribas says
You’re very welcome!