I get so many questions about how to cook spaghetti squash, so I thought I’d share my go-to method for roasting it, a few tips, and a couple of my favorite spaghetti squash recipes.
First things first: cut it in half lengthwise. Then, scoop out the seeds and roast it.
Next, drizzle the insides lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. I find that adding too much oil and too much salt at this stage makes the squash a bit watery, so a light drizzle and a light sprinkle will do.
Then, poke a few holes in the skin of the squash with a fork and place it cut side down on a baking sheet. Pop it in a pre-heated 400°F oven.
A mistake I used to make was roasting my squash too long. I used to roast it for an hour or longer, but now I roast it for 30 to 40 minutes. I initially thought the squash needed to be super soft and fork tender in order for the strands to “spaghetti,” but over the years I’ve learned that I prefer my strands to be more al dente (and less mushy), and that the 1 hour mark was too long. Of course, the timing will entirely depend on the size of your squash and the heat of your particular oven. It can also vary from squash to squash, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Once it’s roasted and cool enough to touch, use a fork to scrape the strands. I like to start from the outside and work my way in, fluffing them up as I go.
That’s it! Season it with more salt and pepper and serve it as a simple veggie side. Or incorporate it into your favorite spaghetti squash recipes. Here are two of mine (pictured below): Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas and Kale and Lemon Pesto Spaghetti Squash.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
- 1 spaghetti squash
- extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and ribbing. Drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the spaghetti squash cut side down on the baking sheet and use a fork to poke holes. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside, fork tender, but still a litte bit firm. The time will vary depending on the size of your squash. I also find that the timing can vary from squash to squash.
- Remove from the oven and flip the squash so that it’s cut side up. When cool to the touch, use a fork to scrape and fluff the strands from the sides of the squash.
great walk through and tips, especially when spaghetti squash gets far less attention these days than zucchini, thank you
Great recipe and way to cook this. Thanks
Hi! Happy Tuesday! Do you know if this would work with any butternut squash? It’s the softest squash I can find in Spain unfortunately. during autumn and winter I always have a big batch of roasted squash ready in the fridge to add to all sort of dishes, however it has never occured to me to try to make spaghetti with it! Was just curious to know if someone has already made the test!
I will give it a try this weekened and see what happens. worst that can happen is that I end up making puree with the squash. LOL
Hi Susanna, no it won’t work with butternut squash, the strands are the texture of the spaghetti squash itself. Here are a bunch of my favorite butternut squash recipes though! https://www.loveandlemons.com/recipes/ingredient-butternut-squash/
Too bad! I will keep on searching….. Each time I have travelled to the US I have searched for some restaurant that serves spaghetti squash but I have never been able to find it. It’s one of those things that got me really curious. hehe
I love all your butternut squah recipes, anything that includes pasta is a favourite in our home
Have a great day!
You can check for each specific city on google perhaps squash is not in high demand.
In Zanesville Ohio there are quite a few local restaurants that use local farm produce. Spaghetti squash is one. Really yummy
Try going to Pappadeaux next time you’re in the States… Georgia and Texas for sure.
They have a spaghetti squash with pesto sauce on it to die for! You’ll love it.
Absolutely agree!!!! Do you have some version of the recipe that you don’t mind sharing? I can cook to taste if I knew what spices, etc. are used. Thanks
I had spaghetti squash over spinach topped with seared Chilean sea bass and lobster with drawn butter at Pappadeaux. It was delish!
Lone Star restaurant has spaghetti squash as a side in summer and fall. It is wonderful.
Thank you for the instructions. I’m trying spaghetti squash for the first time this week. I can’t wait to try it!
Longhorn Steak House has it on the menu occasionally. That’s how I was first exposed to it. They use maple syrup on theirs and it was yummy!
Susanna, I’m from Spain. I think you can use the “calabaza confitera o calabaza de cidra instead. It’s what they use to make “cabello de angel”
I topped mine with stewed chicken two days ago, and I’m having it again with chicken and broccoli, in a garlic alfredo sauce. Thanks for introducing me to a new veggie!
It’s actually super delicious!!!! I was kind of skeptical about it as well until I made it new I can’t eat it any other way….
I agree with roasting rather than steaming if you want to use your spaghetti squash like spaghetti. I don’t use oil–I just cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, place it cut-side down and give it a few stabs to make air vents. I don’t worry about salt and pepper because there’s usually enough in the sauce.
Also it’s good if your sauce isn’t too runny.
I will add my favorite use of spagetti squash:
It is buffalo chicken spahetti squash. There are recipes readily available. Hot sauce, pieces of cooked chicken, green or regular onion, cut small. Some recipes add cheese and/or orcream cheese.
I haven’t done much with spaghetti squash in a long time, but one of the things I found early on, was that if I cooked it too long, the flavor turned bitter. I allays roasted it whole, for 1.5 hours, turning it halfway through – for a medium squash (probably 2-3 pounds). My favorite way to serve it has always been as a side, with garlic butter and parmesan.
Perfect timing! I happen to have a spaghetti squash on my counter which has been there forever because I’m never sure what to do with it. Good thing squash keeps a long time.
Awesome post!
I just had spaghetti squash for lunch today, topped with grilled paneer, dill and greek yogurt 🙂
I can’t eat chickpea, but I will give it a try with kale as well.
I usually microwave my spaghetti squash but I’ve been wanting to roast it! Thank you for this helpful guide 🙂
Good ideas. I would love to try all of these recipes. can the spaghetti squash be steamed in a instant pot?
I find that if I cut the squash in the opposite direction than you did (around its “equator”, rather than pole to pole haha), the strands are longer and more spaghetti-like and twirl-able. I never knew you could roast it cut-side down, which is a great tip, stability-wise!
I’m gonna try it this way ti see if I get longer strands 👍
Maybe I’m misunderstanding you, but I don’t think that’s how it would work. The strands grow lengthwise — that is, from stem to blossom — so cutting the squash in half the opposite way would cut all the strands in half and they’d come out shorter not longer. Nothing wrong with doing it that way, but for longer strands, I’d follow her original directions and cut lengthwise.
🤭 Ok, I take it all back. I put the squash in the oven and when I took it out to check with a fork to see if it was done— surprise, surprise! — the strands didn’t go stem to blossom! They went around the equator, just like you said. I stand SO corrected! Next time I’ll do it the other way too! 👍 😻
how do you get the long strands out when you cut around the middle instead on longways?
Such a nice article… yummy food
It is so easy to follow! My daughter loves it, I mixed it with fried rice lol, and she didn’t notice there is veggies.
Hi Bo, I’m so glad your family loved the squash 🙂
Is baking spaghetti squash in the oven a lot better than cooking it in a microwave?
Hi Mary, I personally think it has a better flavor and texture when cooked in the oven.
Loved it !! Also added garlic salt to mines yum!!
Hi Jenelle, I’m so glad you loved the squash!
Thank you for the recipe. It was fast, easy, and delicious!
Thanks use in place of pasta 😁
Thank you it has been a long time since I’ve cooked a spaghetti squash and I couldn’t remember if I placed it cut side down or up not to mention the amount of time to cook it. I’m making pork chops with apples & onions and I thought it would be great with it . Thank you for the reminder of how to cook it.
Hi Tammy, I’m so happy this post was helpful!
Thank you for the recipe an I cook the squash ahead of time?
Great recipe! This was my first time ever cooking a spaghetti squash and the directions were excellent and the photos even better. Hi served it with organic pasta sauce and mild Italian sausage browned and cut into meatball sized chunks. This is a five star recipe
Hi Stephen, I’m so glad you loved the spaghetti squash!
Came across this recipe by googling “cook spaghetti squash.” I roasted exactly as this recipe states, for 40 min. While it was cooling I chopped up all my leftover veggies (broccoli, asparagus, 2 leeks, and a handful of cherry tomatoes), mixed with olive oil. and put them under the broiler for 10 minutes. I mixed everything together after that and added salt and pepper. An amazing, healthy, vegan lunch for 2 with lots of leftovers! The al dente chew of the squash worked great in this dish. Thanks so much!
Hi Eric (apologies for my slow reply), I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
I love spaghetti squash and this always is perfect when I make it…and the word squash is used so much I love it and laughed.
I just make reg. spaghetti with mine, with prego speg. sause onion, peppers, mushrooms, cooked hamburger, then I mix it all together put it in a glass dish and cook for 20 min. Then take it out of the oven add cheese motz put back in oven 20 min. again. Very good cook at 350 also make sure you roast speg. squash first and shred.
Thank you do much for this. I had gastric surgery so I cannot eat regular noodles and I have been craving spaghetti. This recipe has saved me.
I am getting ready to make spaghetti squash lasagna that someone posted from my gastric sleeve site. But they didn’t say how to make the spaghetti squash. Glad I found your recipe it was easy to follow and very good!
Hi Brenda, I’m so glad the recipe was easy to follow!
I will get back to you when it is served and eaten by myself and others. Thanks, I hope.
I really enjoyed this recipe, though 15 minutes later I found out I’m allergic. It was still delicious.
I am not a fun of squash but I have to try this looks delicious and also easy to prep..ill definitely come back and give my reviews
Super easy and Delicious! I made mine nicely for the first time. Im so thankful you shared this and you’re right! It’s super underrated!! But won’t be in my household any more. Xoxo
I’m so glad you enjoyed the spaghetti squash!
Yes 40 min is enough. It is 95 degrees today so I roasted it on he grill outside. Came out perfect.
Ooh, I love the idea of grilling it – I’m glad you enjoyed!
I just made this. First time ever. Was a huge success and so delicious! Thank you!!!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Thanks for your step by step instructions. I followed them, after I put my squash in the microwave for a few minutes ,so I could slice it. I flavored it like you instructed. I left it in for 35 minutes, @ 400 degrees. Then, butter and Mrs. Dash. That’s the way I like it. Just right for me. Thanks, again!
Hi Sheila, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Makes me want to get one for dinner tonight.
Best roasted spaghetti squash recipe I’ve found!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My husband and I love spaghetti squash. He especially enjoys it as taco boats. After I roast and shred the squash, I spoon cooked seasoned taco beef over the top, diced green onions, and shredded cheese. Five more minutes in the oven and it’s done – Yum!
Ooh, I love the taco boat idea, thanks for the tip!!
Thank you for sharing the recipe! I’ve never tried to cook it before. I have two questions. How many calories are there? Can it be made oil-free?
You can make it oil-free if you’d like. Spaghetti squash has about 31 calories per cup – super healthy!
How long do I roast the seeds
15 to 20 minutes 🙂
I bought my spaghetti squash at a farmer’s stand last week and have been looking at a lot of recipes! I decided on yours, not only because of your thoughtful methods, but the comments helped too! I put my left over homemade spaghetti sauce with it, beautiful! Thank you!
Hi Stephanie, I’m so glad the method was helpful!
I cook the spaghetti squash, then, after I fork it out, I squeeze out all of the water. I then mix it with one egg and about 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Place about 1/2 cup of the mixture in a preheated waffle iron. After it is cooked, you can top it with anything you want. Sometimes I top it with barbecue chicken. I also make grilled cheese with spaghetti squash. Make two waffles, then place slices of your favorite cheese on top of one waffle, top it with the other one and place it back in the waffle iron until the cheese is melted. It is fantastic!
Wow, I would have never thought to waffle spaghetti squash! That’s so clever, thank you for the tip!!
First time trying spaghetti squash. I had to throw one away left out too long. Wish me luck this comes out good.
Thanks for the easy steps to follow. Your recipes look so fresh and yummy. I will definitely have to try some!
Can I cook this ahead and refrigerate? Using it later in the day or the next week? I’ve got my first spaghetti squash sitting on my counter now trying to decide what to do with it.
Hi Suzi, yep, you can. Let it cool before storing in an airtight glass container in the fridge. You can reheat it as you’re ready to eat over the next few days, I also enjoy it cold, tossed into salads.
Thank you for the quick reply — it’s sitting on the counter now! So easy and yummy. Looking forward to trying it on my husband without him knowing what it is — think I’ll tell him it’s low-cal spaghetti!
I hope you both enjoyed it 🙂
I really enjoyed this healthy alternative! The instructions were very easy to follow!
Yum everything looks heavenly
Bless you such an easy way to cook this I was anguishing over what to do as I never cook the spaghetti squash before I’m being a diabetic I’m always looking for low-carb vegetables this was very quick and very tasty thanks very much
Hi Linda, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
I prepared the spaghetti squash precisely as you said, and my wife, who said that she does not like spaghetti squash before, is now a convert. Thank you very much.
Hi Jesse, I’m so glad you both loved the squash!
Trying to cook Spagetti Squash now, thank for the recipe. First time cooking it!
you’re welcome, I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks
You forgot to mention that you need a machete to cut these things.
Hi Mary, if you warm it in the oven (or the microwave) for a little bit, you can soften it which makes it easier to cut in half.
Perfect. I maybe would grease my cooking sheet or use aluminum foil, was hard to clean. But squash was perfect
Hi Sara, parchment or foil makes the cleanup really easy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the squash.
Your narrative part of the recipe (very beginning of this article) is a little confusing. It says to roast it, scoop out seeds, drizzle with oil, salt, etc, poke holes, the roast. So do you roast it twice? If not you may want to revise, otherwise people may pass on the rest of the article thinking it may require too much time.
Thanks for pointing that out – you roast it just once.
I’m not one to comment on these boards but I was so happy with this recipe for spaghetti squash that I have to give it a big shout out. I have tried recipes for spaghetti squash twice before and it never came out right. Trying to eat healthy, I figured I’d give it one last shot and I’m glad I did! This was a perfect recipe and oh -so-simple! Third time is the charm. The trick? Not cooking as long as the others.
Hi Marianne, thanks for commenting! I’m glad you enjoyed the method so much!
Thank you this was a great record. And super delicious. 😁
Hi Stephanie, I’m so glad you loved it!
My first time making it and it was delicious. Whenever I need a recipe you are always my first choice.
(Your lemon curd recipe is outstanding too!!)
It turns out I’ve been overcooking my spaghetti squash for years. I’ve used your technique twice and it turned out perfectly, twice. Game changer for me, thank you!!
Your recipes are always delicious with perfectly clear directions! You are a true inspiration<3