Learn how to cook spaghetti squash! Roasted spaghetti squash is much more than a low-carb alternative to pasta. When cooked properly, it’s a fun and nourishing vegetable you can serve as a side or a main.
The best way to cook spaghetti squash is by roasting it. This hands-off cooking method is not only easy, but it also helps to build deep flavor in every strand of the squash.
Once the squash is tender and twirlable, you can serve it on the side alongside grilled meats and sautéed seafood or top it with roasted vegetables, ground beef, and cheese for a hearty entrée. Although it’s at its peak in fall and winter, you can find it in most grocery stores year-round, so you can cook it anytime a craving strikes.
In addition to its versatility, this colorful, nourishing vegetable is a great source of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and other nutrients. If that’s not reason enough to start roasting, I don’t know what is.
Table of Contents
- What is Spaghetti Squash?
- Ingredients for Spaghetti Squash
- How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Oven
- Troubleshooting Spaghetti Squash
- What to Serve with Spaghetti Squash
- How to Enjoy as a Side Dish
- Spaghetti Squash as a Pasta Stand-In
- How to Use Spaghetti Squash as an Ingredient
- How to Store and Reheat Spaghetti Squash
- More Mediterranean Squash Recipes
- How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Recipe
What is Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti squash is a bright yellow, oval-shaped, hard-skinned winter squash. It has pale yellow interior flesh, and its signature stringy texture resembles spaghetti once cooked. It’s milder and less sweet in flavor than other types of winter squash, including acorn, delicata, and butternut, which makes it a neutral canvas for building flavors.
Ingredients for Spaghetti Squash
You only need a few basic ingredients to make roasted spaghetti squash. The toppings, on the other hand, can vary depending on your dietary and flavor preferences.
- Spaghetti squash is the key player here. When shopping for it, look for one that is firm to the touch and doesn’t have any dark or soft spots. For this recipe, choose a squash that is about two pounds, which will make two to three servings.
- Olive oil helps the edges of the squash to caramelize while it roasts and adds flavor. Feel free to add another drizzle to the cooked squash once it’s done.
- READ MORE: How to Taste Olive Oil: A Step-By-Step Guide to find your favorite varietal.
- TRY IT: Early Harvest Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kosher salt: Spaghetti squash tends to be mild in flavor, so a little bit of kosher salt helps to amp up its understated sweetness.
- Freshly ground black pepper adds a layer of seasoning to simple roasted squash.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Oven
Roasting spaghetti squash takes time, but it’s so easy. Here’s what you need to do.
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 425℉.
- Prep the squash. Thoroughly wash the skin of 1 medium (2-pound) spaghetti squash and pat dry. Use a very sharp chef’s knife to carefully slice the squash in half lengthwise. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, you can either discard the flesh and seeds or clean the seeds and roast them like you would with pumpkin seeds.
- Season the squash. Season the cut halves of the squash with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Bake the squash. Place the squash cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes until tender.
- Scoop and serve. Use a fork to scrape the inside of the spaghetti squash to create noodle-like strands.
Troubleshooting Spaghetti Squash
There are a few things that you should (and should not!) do when preparing spaghetti squash for roasting.
- Don’t use a dull knife. Like most other types of winter squash, spaghetti squash can be extremely difficult to cut when raw. Be sure to use a very sharp chef’s knife when you’re slicing it in half for roasting. Not only will this make it easier to cut, but you’re less likely to injure yourself.
- You can roast it whole. If cutting through the squash while it’s raw proves too difficult, you can roast it whole. It will just take much longer — think 90 minutes or better. However, it will be easier to slice through once cooked.
- Don’t peel the squash. Think of the skin as a protective layer for the stringy, noodle-like flesh. It’s important to leave the skin on so that it’s easier to scrape the squash once roasted.
- How long to cook spaghetti squash? Depending on the size of your squash, it shouldn’t take more than 40 to 50 minutes to cook it through. If you overcook the squash, the noodles will lose their bite and become mushy, which will make it harder to serve.
What to Serve with Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash can be the main entrée, a side dish, or a delicious addition to another recipe. Here are some of our favorite ways to season and serve it.
How to Enjoy as a Side Dish
- Add herbs and cheese. Toss roasted spaghetti squash strands with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and a handful of chopped fresh herbs like basil and parsley for a savory herbaceous side.
- Spice it up. Season roasted spaghetti squash with a combination of Aleppo pepper, ground cumin, paprika, and dried oregano for a spiced squash side dish.
- Make it luxe. Mix the roasted strands of spaghetti squash with a little truffle butter and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves for a luxurious side dish to Beef Tenderloin or Grilled Skirt Steak.
- Give it Greek flavor. Combine spaghetti squash with olives, crumbled feta cheese, finely diced red onions, and chopped fresh parsley for a light and bright side.
Spaghetti Squash as a Pasta Stand-In
- Top it off with Lentil Bolognese for a hearty, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly take on traditional spaghetti bolognese.
- Toss the spaghetti squash with warm spaghetti sauce (homemade or store-bought) and top with grated Parmesan cheese for a simple “pasta” dish. You can also use it with roasted tomato sauce or spicy arrabiata sauce.
- Treat it like an alternative to pasta and serve it as a side dish to traditionally Italian recipes like Chicken Parmesan, Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata, or Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Sun Dried Tomatoes.
How to Use Spaghetti Squash as an Ingredient
- Wrap cooked spaghetti squash into Turkish-style steak wraps or Chicken Gyros.
- Add it to the veggie mixture for these Sheet Pan Eggs.
- Fold cooked spaghetti squash into a Vegetable Frittata.
- Use cooked spaghetti squash in place of shredded zucchini in these Greek-style Zucchini Fritters.
How to Store and Reheat Spaghetti Squash
Leftover cooked spaghetti squash keeps well, and it’s fine to meal prep it a few days ahead of time. To store it, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
To freeze it, spread the cooled squash on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat to freeze in a single layer, then transfer to freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of water to keep it from drying out, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.
More Mediterranean Squash Recipes
Soups and Stews
Butternut Squash Soup with Apple, Fennel, and Aleppo Pepper
Sides and Small Plates
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Tomatoes, Spinach, and Goat Cheese
Soups and Stews
Acorn Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger
Browse all Mediterranean recipes.
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How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 (2 pound) medium spaghetti squash
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Get ready. Preheat the oven to 425℉.
- Wash and prep the squash. Thoroughly wash the skin of the squash and pat dry. Use a very sharp chef’s knife to carefully slice the squash in half lengthwise. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard.
- Season the squash. Season the cut halves of the squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake the squash. Place the squash cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes until tender.
- Scoop and serve. Using a sturdy spatula, flip the squash halves over on the sheet pan. Use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash to create noodle-like strands. Serve warm.
Notes
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including the olive oil used in this recipe.
- How long to cook spaghetti squash? Depending on the size of your squash, it shouldn’t take more than 40 to 50 minutes to cook it through. If you overcook the squash, the noodles will lose their bite and become mushy, which will make it harder to serve.
- How to Store and Reheat Spaghetti Squash: Cooked spaghetti squash keeps well and it’s fine to meal prep it a few days ahead of time. To store it, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. To freeze it, spread the cooled squash on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat to freeze in a single layer, then transfer to freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of water to keep it from drying out, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.
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