Step by step pictures and instructions on how to cut and cook spaghetti squash in the oven and in the Instant Pot. Easy to make ahead for quick dinners. It’s the perfect gluten-free, low-carb solution to enjoying pasta dishes.
I remember the first time I tried cooking spaghetti squash I was surprised at how hard it was and really didn’t know how to cut it open. So I pulled out my big butcher knife and called my husband into the kitchen and asked him to take care of it. He did and then I baked it up and we had the first of many wonderful meals featuring spaghetti squash.
As time went on I realized I needed to be able to cut that hard spaghetti squash myself and so I searched for the best way to cut one and this method is the easiest way to cut spaghetti squash. It’s actually so easy that we never really needed that big ole’ knife after all.
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How to Cut Spaghetti Squash:
This method also creates those long strands of spaghetti!
Supplies needed:
1. A small paring knife (I use this one every day.)
2. Cutting board
3. Large spoon and bowl for the seeds
4. Cooking spray (I use these spray bottles to spray my oil)
5. Baking pan for baking in the oven or use an Instant Pot
1. Hold onto one end of the spaghetti squash, keeping your fingers far from the cutting area.
2. Take the paring knife and insert just the tip. Do not push the knife in very far as it will get stuck from the pressure of the shell. So put just the tip in and then pull up and make another little cut.
3. Make your way all the way around the spaghetti squash until you connect with your first cut.
4. You may need to go around the squash with your paring knife one more time making the cut just a little bit deeper. This will not take hardly any time at all to do.
5. Then pull it apart.
There it is all cut and ready to go.
6. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. I also use my knife to clean up the stringy seeded area a little more thorough.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash:
When I bake them I like to spritz the squash with some avocado or olive oil, you could also use a coconut cooking spray. It’s not necessary to spritz them if you will be cooking them in the Instant Pot.
Give it a good sprinkle of salt.
Place open cut side down in a baking pan.
I often make two or three spaghetti squash at a time and keep the cooked spaghetti strands in my refrigerator for a quick meal. It also freezes well, so I may put half of it in a freezer bag and freeze for another day.
I bake it in the oven at 350° for 60 to 70 minutes until nice and fork-tender. I like to have my spaghetti squash soft so if you would prefer to have a crunchy bite just bake it for a little less.
Let it cool and then using a fork pull out the long strands of spaghetti.
Keep pulling out the spaghetti strands.
This part amazes me every time! All these strands of spaghetti squash come right out looking like spaghetti.
Two spaghetti squash will make about 8 cups of cooked squash.
I use spaghetti squash in any recipe that calls for pasta. It’s the perfect gluten-free, low-carb solution to enjoying pasta dishes.
More spaghetti squash recipes:
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo (Gluten-free & Dairy-free)
Spicy Bacon Chicken Casserole
Spaghetti Squash Recipe Roundup (Low-carb)
You might find this post helpful – What Size Instant Pot to Buy. I compare three different sizes to help you determine which one would work best for you.
PrintHow to Cut and Cook a Spaghetti Squash
- Category: Sides
Ingredients
- spaghetti squash
Instructions
- Using a paring knife, cut around the middle of the squash making very small cuts with a paring knife. Continue cutting around the middle until you reach your original cut. Go back over the cutting line with your paring knife making your cuts a little deeper. Go all the way around again. The squash should come apart. Scoop out seeds.
Baking in oven for one or more spaghetti squash
- Spritz the cut side of the spaghetti squash with avocado, olive, or coconut oil. Sprinkle with salt and place cut side down in a baking pan.
- Bake at 350° for 60-75 minutes until fork tender.
- Allow the squash to cool before removing the strands of spaghetti with a fork.
Cooking in Instant Pot for one spaghetti squash
- Place the rack in the bottom of the pot and add 1 of cup water. Place the two halves of the squash in the pot. You may need to place on up and one down to fit. Close the lid and make sure the steam vent is closed.
- Press Manual mode and set at 10 minutes for pressure.
- When pressure is finished and it switches to warm mode (with the L for low in front of the numbers) turn it off and carefully open the steam vent.
- When all the pressure is released you can open the pot and remove the squash.
- Allow the squash to cool before removing the strands of spaghetti with a fork.
Notes
Nutritional value: 1 cup has 42 calories, 0 fat, 10 grams of carbs, 2 grams dietary fiber, 1 gram protein.
Do you have to cut spaghetti squash before cooking?
No, you don’t have to cut spaghetti squash before cooking, but the reason I have two reasons why I like to cut spaghetti squash open before cooking.
1. It’s hot for a very long time and takes a while to cool enough to clean out the seeds.
2. I’ve heard of a few people who have cooked the spaghetti squash without cutting it only to find out it was bad inside. It’s not common, but I don’t want to take that chance. Cut it before cooking and you’ll know.
Can you eat the peel of spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash has a very hard shell and when it cooks it has a thin rubbery texture or a thin flaky texture depending on how you cook it. It’s not normally eaten.
How to pick out a good spaghetti squash at the store.
1. It should be dull yellow and not discolored. If it has green patches it may not be ripe and if it has orangish or darker spots it may be overripe.
2. The peel should be very firm. You should not be able to puncture it with your fingernail.
3. It should also feel heavy.
You can store spaghetti squash for 1-3 months. It’s a winter squash so that makes it easy to store that long.
Jo-N
Wonderful! I have been wondering how to do this ever since we had this at your house! Thanks!
Marleigh Cowgill
We alway’s cut the squash horizontally and not diagonally. Does this make them cook longer?
Thank you for the recipes and ideas for snacks!
MamaShire
It may take a little longer to cook, but cutting it this way does make the strands longer like spaghetti.
Cindy
Do you freeze after cookin and before or after pulling into spaghetti strands?
MamaShire
I cook the spaghetti squash and pull it out of the shell before I freeze it. 🙂
Melissa
I never knew you could freeze spaghetti squash. Game changer! Thanks for sharing.
Linda S
I am going to have to try this! I did not know you could freeze it. Thank you for the terrific step by step instructions!
MamaShire
You are so welcome!
Sue Small
Thank you so much for this! I tried it for the first time today. So now I have a question … what is the best way to re-heat this? I do not have a microwave by choice. ?
MamaShire
Hi Sue,
I don’t have a microwave either, so what I normally do is just heat it up in a skillet with just a bit of water to keep it from sticking. A pot would work too. It doesn’t take long at all to heat up. And you’re welcome I’m glad that you tried it!
Tina
This was my first time making spaghetti squash in the instant pot. I was amazed as how easily it removes from rind. The reason I am writing is to say Thanks for the tip using a paring knife to cut it in half and seed. I don’t know why, I always attempted to cut lengthwise. I’ll be eating more spaghetti squash, and I will freeze it too. Thank you.
Suzette
Thank you so much for writing this tutorial. Since going keto at the end of November last year, I have made spaghetti squash in the oven a handful of times. I always cut it lengthwise but, after reading this, I think I’m going to start cutting it your way so that I can have longer strands of “spaghetti”. Also, I’ll be able to cook two squash in the same pan instead of having to use (and wash) two separate pans….yay!!
I roasted two squash for dinner yesterday and, while we were eating, some of the “spaghetti” strands were quite bitter….so bitter that I didn’t even bother saving the leftovers. I noticed when I cut one of the squash open that most of the seeds were green. Do you think those seeds could’ve been an indicator that the squash would be bitter? I’ve never had that happen before. Also, I’m wondering which method you prefer….oven or instant pot or no preference?
MamaShire
Hi Suzette! Hmm, I’ve never had one that had green seeds. I guess it could be an indicator of it’s bitterness. It might not have been fully ripe. I don’t have a huge preference which way I cook them. The instant pot seems easier, (they really are both easy) but if I want to do more than one I would use the oven.
Suzette
That’s what I was thinking…..that it might’ve been bitter because it wasn’t fully ripe. Thank you so much for your input. I love your blog!! 🙂
MamaShire
Thank you, Suzette! That’s so sweet of you. 🙂
Jennifer
I am a true “drive-thru Sue” and I just rinse off my spaghetti squash, put it in a shallow baking dish and turn the oven on at about 400 and bake for an hour. I stick a knife in it to make sure that it’s done (just make sure that the escaping steam doesn’t get you) and then I let it sit on the counter for a few minutes. I slice it in half (easily!) and scrape out what I want with a fork. After dinner, I scrape the rest out for leftovers. Works great!
Lynette
Just tried for first time. I now love this vegetable. Thank you for making it so easy.
MamaShire
Yay! I’m glad you tried it!
Elida
I’m trying it in instant pot …will see
Karen
So glad you posted this! If my hubby wasn’t around I’d be in trouble! Now I can cut it by myself! ?
Candy
Love spaghetti squash & all your help. Would like to be able to get lots of recipes to use it in. So healthy.
MamaShire
Thank you!
Margie
Easy easy easy and so good
MamaShire
Yay for easy!
Shelley Farler
I had always heard, and most of the recipes I’d seen, said to cut it the long way. I didn’t know you should cut cross ways. I have one ready to go in the oven as we speak. Thank you so much for that info!!!
MamaShire
You’re so welcome! Let me know how it turns out.
Kelly Stephenson
First time trying it! So glad I found this!! I found you because I searched ‘cutting a spaghetti squash’ lol. Now to freez the rest!
Barbara Parson
I have a very easy way of cutting these tough squash. It also works when cutting up a chicken. I use a cleaver (you could also use a butcher knife) and place it in the spot that needs to be hacked. I then hit the cleaver with a mallet and boom—clean break. Whether you need to hack a squash or a chicken this works like magic.
Sheri
Thanks so much for the tip, Barbara. That is a genius idea!
Anna
Thanks, Robin for this tutorial on how to cook it. I have linked you on my site to this post. My readers will love this.
Anna
oh, here is the site. http://www.pursuinghospitality.com. The post will be live on Friday morning.
MamaShire
Glad it’s helpful!