How to Cook Spaghetti Squash: A Step-by-Step Guide

Subsequent step is determining the right way to cook dinner spaghetti squash. To that finish, we caught up with cookbook creator and recipe developer Erin Clarke of Well Plated, who squashed (pun meant) any confusion concerning this healthful ingredient. Forward, the easiest way to securely prep spaghetti squash, a few of the tastiest recipes for serving it up, plus the primary mistake people make when making ready this anti-inflammatory wintertime staple.

Learn how to put together and cook dinner spaghetti squash

Though spaghetti squash might look intimidating, cooking it’s removed from. The truth is, Clarke says that spaghetti squash is without doubt one of the most budget-friendly, easy-to-prep, and versatile meals yow will discover within the produce part. That’s as a result of, when cooked, the flesh of this scrumptious fruit transforms into semi-translucent strands that resemble angel hair pasta with a bit extra texture and crunch.

The very best half? Very like plain pasta, it has a largely impartial, but barely candy taste that pairs nicely with nearly any sauce, dish, or pairing. A few of Clarke’s favourite methods to serve spaghetti squash embrace her Spaghetti Squash Lasagna and Spaghetti Squash Casserole recipes.

So, what’s the easiest way to cook dinner spaghetti squash? Clarke says it’s plain and easy: Bake it. “The oven is my favourite methodology for cooking spaghetti squash as a result of it makes the strands just a little caramelized and candy,” she says. Plus, a fast 35 to 40 minutes at 400ºF is all it takes to cook dinner a halved, medium spaghetti squash to perfection.

You can even attempt the “ring methodology,” which entails slicing the spaghetti squash horizontally, about one-inch vast, which yields longer, string-like “spaghetti” noodles as demonstrated on this TikTok video by @eatingbirdfood. All that is lacking is a heaping serving of vegan bolognese to prime issues off.

@eatingbirdfood If you need lengthy pasta-like strands that are not watery, it’s a must to give my ring methodology a attempt! ???? #spaghettisquash #squashseason #wintersquash #roastedvegetables ♬ greedy – Tate McRae

That stated, if cranking on the oven isn’t an possibility (say, it doubles as a space for storing in your pots and pans), you may as well pop your uncooked spaghetti squash right into a sluggish cooker and even microwave it. “Should you want to not have your oven on that lengthy, attempt my Crockpot Spaghetti Squash recipe. For a 3 to 4 pound squash, cook dinner it on excessive for 3 to 4 hours or low for 5 to 6 hours,” Clarke says. Further perk: It is a hands-free means of getting dinner on the desk.

“The oven is my favourite methodology for cooking spaghetti squash as a result of it makes the strands just a little caramelized and candy,” Clarke says. Plus, a fast 35 to 40 minutes at 400ºF is all it takes to cook dinner a halved, medium spaghetti squash to perfection.

Learn how to cook dinner spaghetti squash within the microwave

Should you select the microwave route, there’s a couple of execs and cons to bear in mind. Execs: It’ll take just a little beneath 10 minutes to cook dinner (however don’t neglect to poke holes when microwaving it complete to assist launch any trapped steam). Cons: It’ll be just a little mushier and muted in taste, since you are not reaching that oh-so-desirable flavorful Maillard reaction as you’ll when roasting it. “You aren’t getting the caramelization that you just do within the oven. This can be a very good or a foul factor, relying upon how you want your squash,” Clarke says.

To cook dinner spaghetti squash within the microwave, lower it in half length-wise, take away seeds, then poke every half it with a fork a number of occasions round to let steam escape. Microwave every half face down in a baking dish full of water for about 5 minutes, including extra time as wanted, as much as 10 minutes (or longer, relying in your microwave).

What’s a simple option to lower spaghetti squash?

In accordance with Clarke, security comes first when dealing with and slicing spaghetti squash. That is one sturdy veg, which suggests further care must be taken when slicing into one. To make sure you’re being further cautious, she recommends enlisting the assistance of some important cooking instruments: a pointy chef’s knife, a sturdy slicing board, and a spoon.

Because of the uneven, cylindrical form of the fruit, slicing right into a wobbly spaghetti squash may be quite difficult. So, to make the duty simpler (and safer), the primary order of enterprise is to position the squash horizontally on a slicing board, and slice off the stem and base to create two flat surfaces.

Then, you may stand it up vertically on one of many flat ends you simply created, and slowly slide your knife from prime to backside to create two equal-shaped halves with out the spaghetti squash rolling round (though they do not must be excellent). Lastly, utilizing a spoon, you may wish to rigorously take away the seeds and any stringy flesh surrounding them, with out slicing into the flesh. Et voilà! The toughest half is over and your spaghetti squash is able to cook dinner.

However, take into accout: If the mere considered slicing by means of an enormous ol’ squash sends a shiver down your backbone otherwise you merely don’t have a pointy knife at hand, there’s a fast repair for that. Warming it up might help soften the flesh making it a lot simpler to chop. “You do have to halve spaghetti squash lengthwise and scoop out its seeds previous to cooking. To make it safer to chop, poke the surface of the squash skin throughout with a fork and microwave it for a couple of minutes. This softens the surface of the squash a bit and makes it simpler to chop,” Clarke says.

The most typical mistake made when cooking this fruit

In the case of cooking spaghetti squash, Clarke says it’s past simple to unintentionally overcook it. “It occurs extra usually than you assume. You need the squash strands to be al dente so that they maintain their texture, and in case you cook dinner it too lengthy, they will get mushy,” she says. To inform in case your squash is finished, she recommends flippantly urgent on the surface of the squash. “It ought to give just a bit. The squash will look golden on the surface and the within may have simply turned fork tender.”

Learn how to decide the right spaghetti squash

When selecting the right spaghetti squash from the bunch, Clarke recommends paying shut consideration to 2 key components: firmness and bruising. “A agency spaghetti squash that feels heavy for its dimension and one that does not have any gentle spots,” is juuuust proper, based on the recipe developer. “Keep away from ones with cracks or lacking stems. And, in case your squash is inexperienced and also you’d wish to ripen it, put it in a hotter place,” she says.

The excellent news: Clarke says most squashes you’ll discover on the grocery retailer are able to cook dinner immediately. So, in case you’re not able to pop it within the oven simply but, retailer it in a cool, dry place to maintain it from over-ripening. Additionally, remember that, usually talking, you may plan to get about two to a few servings per spaghetti squash, though this may range relying on its dimension, which can come in useful when meal planning for the week.

Cannot get sufficient squash? This acorn squash chips recipe will do the trick: