Learn How To Cook Spaghetti Squash with this simple oven roasted technique! It takes only 5 minutes of prep time and produces long spaghetti like strands of squash that can be used in dishes in place of pasta for a nutritious lower carb dinner.
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Table of contents
Why You'll Love This Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta if you are looking for something that is lower in calories and carbs. While squash isn't completely free of carbohydrates it will reduce them by about ½ when compared to a serving of pasta. It's a great way to enjoy some of your favorite dishes while still sticking to a nutrition plan.
So how exactly do you cook spaghetti squash and get those perfect little spaghetti strands? It is actually much easier than you think and doesn't require any special equipment! Follow along to see the easy step-by-step instructions on how to perfectly roast this winter squash.
- Lower Carb Alternative To Pasta- Squash has about half of the carbs compared to a serving of pasta making it a more nutritious option.
- Easy To Roast- takes only 5 minutes of prep time and roasts in the oven.
- No Special Equipment- you will not need a spiralizer to make the spaghetti strands. A fork quickly and easily shreds the squash into perfect strands.
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Equipment Needed
rimmed baking tray
parchment paper
sharp knife
cutting board
Key Ingredients
spaghetti squash- is a variety of squash that when cooked the flesh can be shredded. It has the appearance of “spaghetti” and is used often in recipes as a lower carb alternative to pasta.
olive oil- adds a bit of flavor to the roasted squash and helps it caramelize the flesh.
salt and pepper- always a great basic seasoning.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line the baking tray with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Using a sharp knife cut the squash in half lengthwise. These can be a bit tricky to cut so if you are having trouble, stick the squash in the microwave for 4-5. You will want to poke a few holes in the skin with a fork so that steam can escape first. After microwaving the skin should be soft enough to easily cut.
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
Brush the flesh of the squash with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place the cut sides down on the parchment paper. Place the squash in the oven and roast for 40 minutes, the squash should be fork tender when done. The cooking time may very depending on the size of your squash.
Allow the squash to cool so that it is easier to handle. Use a fork to shred the squash into “spaghetti strands”.
Serving Ideas
Now that you have made your spaghetti squash, what is the best way to serve the vegetable? I like to serve it just like I would pasta. Because spaghetti squash has a mild flavor it can easily adapt to different sauce flavors. Here's a few of my favorites.
- Sauté garlic in butter and add toss the spaghetti squash in the melted garlic butter. Add a pinch of salt, pepper and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. This is perfect with grilled chicken or seafood.
- Toss the squash in a fresh basil pesto sauce.
- Eat as a side dish with your favorite entrees like meatballs, chicken parmesan, or shrimp scampi.
Make Ahead
Spaghetti squash is great to make ahead because it is quick to prep and then is hands off while it roasts in the oven. You can roast more than one at a time too so you can make one for dinner and cook another for leftovers later in the week.
Spaghetti squash can also be frozen for up to 3-5 months when prepared properly. Cook the squash, shred into strands and allow the squash to cool. Place the cooled squash into freezer safe bags and remove as much air as possible before freezing.
Storage
Allow squash to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. Cooked squash will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Frozen squash is best when used within 3-5 months of freezing.
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How To Cook Spaghetti Squash (Oven Roasted Recipe)
Equipment
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized spaghetti squash (around 3 pounds)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the squash in halve length wise. (If you have trouble cutting the squash microwave for a couple minutes to soften the peel and make sure to prick a few holes in the skin with a fork first).
- Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds from the inside of the squash. Use a brush or a spoon to drizzle olive oil over the inside of the squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the squash cut side down on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes. The spaghetti squash will be for tender.
- Remove the squash from the oven and allow to cool so that it is able to be handled. Use a fork to shred the inside of the squash to make the "spaghetti."
- Eat this as a side dish as is with meatballs, chicken or seafood. You can also make other dishes with the spaghetti squash.
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