How To Cook Perfect Spaghetti Squash 2 Easy Ways

Learn how to cook spaghetti squash two easy ways ~ either cut in half or baked whole. Once it’s tender, use a fork to pull the flesh into strands and serve it with butter and Parmesan, your favorite sauce, or tucked into a casserole.

You’ve seen them at the grocery store.

They sit there with the other winter squash, looking a little mysterious, and a little lonely, while everyone walks past on their way to the potatoes.

I’m tellin’ ya, people are missing out.

Spaghetti squash is easy to cook, easy to serve, and surprisingly useful once you know what to do with it.

And that is what we’re going to do today.

Me and you and a spaghetti squash.

But what the heck is spaghetti squash anyway?

Spaghetti squash is a winter squash that is harvested in the fall. It has a thick skin and comes in colors ranging from light yellow to dark orange.

Originally from Central America and Mexico, they grow very well in most southern climates and are incredibly easy to store for long periods.

When cooked, the flesh of the squash separates into strands like angel hair spaghetti. 

And that’s where the highly imaginative name comes from…

It’s ever so slightly sweet served plain, and adds an al dente texture to a dish. 

You can top it with sauce, mix it into a casserole, or serve it all by itself as a vegetable side dish.  

You can use spaghetti squash as an alternative to pasta or noodles in pretty much any dish.

I really like using it for my Chicken Alfredo.

And I often serve it tossed in melted butter or olive oil, lightly seasoned with sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper. I like to add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Nothing fancy.

Just good food.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

There are several ways that you can cook this squash. I’m going to teach you my 2 favorite ways.

The easy way takes about 30-45 minutes.

And the easier way takes 60-90 minutes.

Yes, I know the easier way takes longer.

Stick with me and it will all make sense in a minute.

Easy Way

The easy way goes like this:

Wash the squash

Cut it in half longways using a sharp knife and a cutting board.

Scoop out all the seeds with a spoon (and save them to roast just like Roasted Pumpkin Seeds)

Butter or oil the cut edges

Place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes until it is fork tender

Allow to cool a little

Scrape out insides

That sounds pretty easy right? And it is.

Easier Way

But here’s the easier way:

Wash the squash

Poke deep holes all the way around. You want to make sure to pierce it to the center so the steam can escape as it cooks. It has lots of water in it.

Put on a rimmed baking sheet. The rimmed sheet will catch any drips.

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 60-90 minutes

Let cool til you can handle it easily

Cut open longways. The “strands” run in circles around the inside of the squash. If you don’t cut them you will end up with one long strand. Which you will then have to cut. So make it easy on yourself and do it now.

Scrape out seeds (and save them to roast). Roasted spaghetti squash seeds have a very similar nutrition profile to roasted pumpkin seeds. And they’re really good. You should give that a try.

Scrape out the insides. Take a fork and start “flaking” the strands away from the sides. Start in the middle and work your way out. You will be amazed at how much “spaghetti” you end up with.

My favorite way is the easier way. Unless I forget to put it in the oven in time.

The reason it’s the “easier” way is because the spaghetti squash has a thick skin. And that skin is a lot easier to cut through after it’s cooked.

And when you bake it cut side down it tends to get hard and stick where it’s touching the pan. Unless you put water in the pan. Which makes it soggy.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.

So there you have it. 2 easy ways to cook a spaghetti squash.

How would you serve it?

More side dishes you might enjoy: