How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Learn how to cook spaghetti squash with this simple guide! It's easy to follow & yields perfect al dente strands for your favorite spaghetti squash recipes.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Active time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 2, 2 to 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
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Method Overview
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How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
First thing’s first: place the squash on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it in half lengthwise.
RECIPE TIP
If your squash is too hard to cut, soften it slightly in the oven or microwave before slicing it in half.
Option 1: Roast the squash whole. Prick it all over with a fork and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes to make it easier to cut. Option 2: Microwave the squash. Prick it all over with a fork and microwave in 1-minute bursts until it’s soft enough to cut. Then, cut the squash in half and proceed with the recipe!
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
rate this recipe: 4.96 from 516 votes Prep Time: 5 minutes minsCook Time: 35 minutes minsTotal Time: 40 minutes mins Serves 2 to 4 SAVE RECIPE PRINT RECIPE This is my go-to method for creating perfect al dente spaghetti squash strands to us
Ingredients 1 spaghetti squash extra-virgin olive oil sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark Instructions Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
5 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
35 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
40 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2
Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and ribbing. Drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Image detailsseasoning the spaghetti squash on a baking sheetLove And Lemons · How to Cook Spaghetti SquashDev reference 
Image detailshands poking holes in the spaghetti squashLove And Lemons · How to Cook Spaghetti SquashDev reference Inputs and tools3
Uses
- 1 spaghetti squash
- extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Step 3
Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on the baking sheet and use a fork to poke holes. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm. The time will vary depending on the size of your squash. I also find that the timing can vary from squash to squash.
Image detailsspaghetti squash cooked on a baking sheetLove And Lemons · How to Cook Spaghetti SquashDev reference Visual cue
until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm.
Checks2
TextureInfoTextureuntil lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm.
Expected state: until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm.
TimingInfoTimingfor 30 to 40 minutes
Target: 30-40 minute
Expected state: Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a little bit firm.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Step 4
Remove from the oven and flip the squash so that it’s cut side up. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands from the sides of the squash.
Image detailsHands fluffing spaghetti squash with a forkLove And Lemons · How to Cook Spaghetti SquashDev reference Checks1
HoldingMain recipeSource holding instruction
Remove from the oven and flip the squash so that it’s cut side up. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands from the sides of the squash.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
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2, 2 to 4
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Adapted from source
Imported from the love-and-lemons page for dev review.
Copy risk: Unchecked
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
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