Spaghetti squash is an oval-shaped, hard winter squash. When cooked the flesh turns into spaghetti-like strands that make a wonderful paleo substitute for pasta. The catch? Once you bring that golden gourd home, you’re left wondering how to cook spaghetti squash. Thankfully, it’s easy.
No Fancy Gadgets Needed!
When you make spaghetti squash noodles you don’t need a spiralizer or any other fancy kitchen gadgets. There are several simple ways to cook spaghetti squash. It can be cut into sections and steamed on the stove, or you can learn how to cook spaghetti squash in the oven.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Safely and Easily
Cooking a whole, uncut spaghetti squash in the oven avoids the process of wielding a huge knife and stabbing at a giant hard squash. After it’s cooked, you can cut through the tender flesh easily and safely. The other benefit of this cooking method? When the flesh is sealed inside the squash it retains flavor and moisture. Looking for healthy paleo noodles? Look no further. Your pasta dreams are about to come true!
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash, about 3 pounds
Instructions
- Place whole (uncut) spaghetti squash on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Using a fork, poke the squash twice
- Bake at 350°F for 60-80 minutes
- Allow spaghetti squash to cool for 20-30 minutes
- Cut squash open with a knife
- Using a spoon scoop out seeds
- Scrape the flesh out of the squash into stringy noodles
- Serve
Low-Carb Noodles for the Keto Diet
I make spaghetti squash noodles for myself whenever the rest of the family is eating packaged gluten-free noodles. If you like healthy spaghetti squash noodles, you’ll love my post called, Paleo Pasta: Healthy Low-Carb Swaps for Noodles, which features other healthy vegetable noodles along with their carb counts. Vegetable noodles are wonderful pasta substitute for those following a Ketogenic Diet.
Easy Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipes
I often serve spaghetti squash with coconut oil and cinnamon, or with Bolognese. I also have a fabulous recipe in my latest book Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry for a Paleo Pad Thai that uses spaghetti squash noodles! And you’ll definitely want to try my low-carb, keto Mac n Cheese Skillet Casserole recipe, made from spaghetti squash!
tracy says
I think if you cook your squash whole you are wasting the seeds… They are so good for you!!! I cut my squash in half, oil the inside of both halves and place upside down on a cookie sheet to cook. I then clean season and roast the wonderful seeds!!! What a bonus!
Elana says
That sounds delicious Tracy!
Sunny says
I always seem to have very watery “noodles” when I try this….like others who have had same comment.
Is it low in carbs? Curious for the diabetics
Elana says
Sunny, mine hasn’t ever been watery using this method. Here’s a link to a post with more info on carbs for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/low-carb-noodles/
Enjoy!
Elana
Fiona says
Wonderful and simple guide. Spaghetti squash feeds my cravings for pasta!
Elana says
Me too!
betsy bruce says
what is spaghetti squash, in England we just call it a squash, l haven’t heard of a spaghetti squash
Annie Laney says
It is actually a squash which has stringy flesh when cooked, just like noodles! It is my go to for noodles as i stay low carb!
Marina says
My sphagetti squash is always watery when cooking it like this. What am I doing wrong?
Elana says
Marina, make sure to poke holes in it and use an oven, not a microwave :-)
gail says
I make my spaghetti squash the same way. In my area of upstate New York we have a dish called Chicken Riggies. It is made with a tomatoe sauce which has cream in it peppers, garlic and a few other spices. and chunks of chicken. I substituted the spaghetti squash instead of the pasta rigatoni. It was better than with the pasta. The squash takes the flavors it is mixed with and is quite pleasing
Lacie says
Gail, can I please have your recipe for chicken riggies? That sounds sooo good!!!
Chris Zaccharia says
Oh.. Squash spag.. :))) I love to try this!!
Elana says
:-)
Apryl says
I cooked it exactly how you suggested, and it turned out wonderful. It was so easy! Thanks for posting this.
Elana says
So glad it turned out wonderful Apryl!
Kathy says
Loved this way to cook the squash!!! I poked a few holes just in case and it worked perfect at about 60 minutes. I discovered another HUGE time saver! I scooped the seeds out with a melon ball tool and then did same with the squash. Worked fantastic! Also works really well on other squashes before and after baking.
Tora says
Oh so there’s a spaghetti squash! It’s my first time to know about this. Great!