Spaghetti Squash Recipe and How to Cook It

Cooking up spaghetti squash is actually really simple and easy to do. And the best part? You only need one main ingredient to make it happen!

If you’re looking for a simple and easy meal, why not consider making spaghetti squash for you and your family?

The great part about cooking up a spaghetti squash is that there really isn’t any way to mess up the process. As long as you follow along the very easy directions, you’ll be able to wow yourself and your guests with this delicious and easy meal.

With the squash being super low in calories and carbs, this is a great way to have that “noodle” taste without having to worry about any of the guilt.

How to cook Spaghetti Squash

Now that we’ve gone over some of the directions, let’s get down to the simple recipe of how to cook spaghetti squash.

See how simple and easy it can be? Once you have it cooked, you’ll find that it’s not that tedious to do another one as well. Don’t limit yourself to just one way of cooking spaghetti squash. There are so many other ways that you can cook and enjoy it as well.

What is spaghetti squash and why is it healthy?

Spaghetti squash is a vegetable that’s grown from the ground. It’s got a rather mild, but slightly sweet flavor that makes it perfect for cooking up and eating as is or paired with a wide variety of dishes.

It’s healthy for a wide variety of reasons but one of the main ones is because it’s packed full of great nutrients. Along with vitamins like Vitamin C, it’s also packed with a lot of fiber as well. Plus, it’s a low calorie food making it great for those who are counting calories are trying to limit the intake of their carbs.

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash

One of the biggest parts of cooking up your spaghetti squash properly is to make certain that your cleaning and cutting it up properly to cook.

Always start by washing off the outside of the squash to get rid of any dirt or grime. Since you’re not going to be peeling it, it’s important to get the outer skin as clean as possible before cooking.

Once you’ve got it all nice and clean, take and cut your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Then, turn it over and scoop out the seeds and the fibers with a spoon. (Be prepared, this part might get a little messy. And if you have little helpers helping out in the kitchen, this is one job that they’ll want to join in on and have fun doing!)

Different seasonings to cook spaghetti squash

Did you know that you’re spaghetti squash can have a wide variety of tastes and flavors? It all just depends on the seasonings that you’re going to use.

If you want to have a squash that is a bit on the sweet side, use a bit of cinnamon and sugar to make it happen. During the fall months, pumpkin spice can also be a great addition to give it that hearty, warm flavor as well (thinking to a pumpkin spice latte?).

Spicy doesn’t stand a chance when you add some cayenne or ghost pepper to your spaghetti squash. Or you can keep it simple by adding on some freshly cracked pepper and sea salt.

Truth be told, spaghetti squash does a great job of taking on the flavors of almost any type of seasoning really well. If you’re wanting to try out one, give it a go. You never know when you’re going to find your winning combination.

Tips for Preparing Spaghetti Squash

While preparing spaghetti squash is really simple and easy to do, there are a few tips and things to remember to make certain that you have the outcome that you’re hoping for:

• Wash the outside of the skin
• Cut it down the middle in half to cook quicker
• Scour the insides with a fork to give it a bit of texture before cooking
• Save the seeds for later (you’ll see why a little bit further down in the article)

Prepping the spaghetti squash to cook is simple! It’s one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to cook where you don’t have to do a ton of prep work.

 Different methods to cook spaghetti squash

People tend to think that there’s only one way to cook spaghetti squash. This just isn’t the truth! While you can bake it easily in the oven, try these other methods as well:

• Grill it on the grill

If you put it skin down on the grill and cook it, it will have a nice char that you’ll love. Perfect for outdoor gatherings or BBQ’s!

• Boil in on the stove

Treating your spaghetti squash like a potato and boiling it and mashing it is a thing! All you have to do is cut it into smaller chunks, add it into hot water on the stove, boil it until tender with the touch of a fork and remove.

Then, simple cut off the skin, mash and enjoy! Top it with some nice butter and salt for a great taste and flavor. And if you’re looking for a sweeter taste, a pinch of brown sugar can do the trick, too.

 How to store spaghetti squash

Once your spaghetti squash is cooked and consumed, you might be wondering what you’re going to do with the leftovers. Don’t fret. Storing your leftover spaghetti squash is a breeze.

First, make certain that it’s cooled completely all the way before doing anything. Once it’s room temp, take and place in a sealable container and store in your fridge. As long as you consume within the next 48 hours, the texture and taste will remain the same.

If you find that you can’t consume that quickly, you might want to think about freezing it instead. This means that you’ll put it inside a freezer-proof container or bag and store it in your freezer until you’re ready to unthaw and consume. Just make certain that you write what it is and the date that you added it so you know when you need to eat by as well.

Also, when you’re unthawing your frozen spaghetti squash, the texture might be a bit different than how it was at first. This just means that it broke down a bit during the freezing process but the taste and the flavor should be the same.

How to Roast Spaghetti Squash Seeds

Did you know that the little seeds on the inside of the squash can be cooked and eaten as well? Think pumpkin seeds, but only smaller. And the good news? They are just as simple to cook!

Simple steps to cook spaghetti squash seeds:

• Start by preheating your oven to 275 degrees;
• Next, take a baking sheet and line it with aluminum foil. (You don’t want anything sticking on it while you’re cooking the seeds;
• Since you have the seeds already taken out of the squash, you’re going to want to wash them off really well with water and make certain that you don’t have anything else that you’re going to cook besides just the seeds;
• After you’ve cleaned and double checked, pat dry the seeds and place them in a bowl. This is where you can add in your oil and seasonings, but only in small amounts. You just need trace amounts of oil and seasonings as it won’t take much!
• You can even separate them into different bowls and have a wide variety of flavors;
• Once you have them all done how you want, add them on your baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or so or until the seeds actually start to pop;
• Remove them from oven, cool and enjoy!

Now that you know that you can cook an entire spaghetti squash and it’s contents, what are you waiting for? It’s pretty great to think that you can get some delicious meals from the insides of the spaghetti squash and have the cooked and seasoned seeds as an added bonus.

With garden season in full bloom, you might just be able to walk out to your own garden and get your own squash to use. And if not, plan on heading to the farmers market to find one instead. Make certain to choose one that you think is a good size for you and your appetite as it’s always better tasting when it’s cooked and eaten fresh.