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Pictured recipe:Chicken Enchilada-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash, with its long strands of sweet yellow flesh, is the most versatile winter squash. It can mimic pasta, be spiced up and used as a side dish all on its own, or even stuffed, baked and served right in its shell. And yes, you can even roast and eat the seeds (more on that below). While its unwieldy size and tough exterior may intimidate some, we’re here to give you plenty of tips to make cooking with spaghetti squash a breeze. Read on for the best ways to enjoy this versatile winter vegetable.
Try These:Healthy Spaghetti Squash Recipes
How to Roast Spaghetti Squash
Pictured recipe:Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
If you’ve got some time and want the least amount of fuss, then baking your spaghetti squash is the way to go. It may also be your only option if your squash is too large to fit in your microwave or pressure cooker.
How Long to Cook Spaghetti Squash
If you’re type A in the kitchen (like we are), then you’re probably wondering how long you need to cook spaghetti squash so it’s ready when everything else is. If it’s roasting in a 400°F oven, it will take about 40 to 50 minutes for the squash to become tender and easily scrape out with a fork. But if you’re not roasting your squash, the time will vary. Keep reading to find out how long to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave and a pressure cooker.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave
Pictured recipe:Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes, Beans and Almond Pesto
Your microwave can cook a spaghetti squash in about 10 minutes, which is great for busy weeknights or if you don’t feel like firing up your oven. Since microwaves are on the small side, this works best with small to medium squash (about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds), depending on the size of your microwave.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in a Pressure Cooker
You can easily cook your spaghetti squash in your pressure cooker or multicooker, like the Instant Pot. It’s fast and easy. Like with the microwave, this is a great method if you’re crunched for time and have a small to medium squash (about 2 1/2 – 3 pounds).
How to Cut and Prep Spaghetti Squash
Cutting into a spaghetti squash can be a bit tricky, thanks to its oblong shape and tough skin, but there are a few tricks to make it easier.
How to Roast Spaghetti Squash Seeds
Spaghetti squash seeds are similar to the hull-on seeds you’ve scooped out of apumpkin and roasted up as a tasty snack. But these are slightly smaller, which we’ve found actually makes them roast up crunchier, and faster too.
Try spaghetti squash seeds in these:Delicious Pumpkin Seed Recipes
How to Store Spaghetti Squash
Whole spaghetti squash can be stored in a cool dry place for up to a month. Halved squash can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week, covered. Cooked strands can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. If the strands seem watery, drain them like you would pasta before using. You can freeze cooked strands of spaghetti squash for up to 3 months. Drain them of excess water before freezing.
Watch: How to Make Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
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