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Microwave Spaghetti Squash

Soft, pillowy, delicious and EASY microwave Spaghetti Squash. It’s the BEST way to quickly cook up your favorite pasta substitute! 

Spaghetti Squash Strands on a fork sitting on cutting board

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fast
  • Easy
  • No special tools to use. 
  • It’s even good for you! (Don’t tell anyone!)

Here’s How Microwave Spaghetti Squash is Done

STEP 1. 

Cut the stem area from the squash and then cut the squash in half from stem end to blossom end. Remove any visible seeds from the core area. 

two hands removing the seeds from the middle of a squash

STEP 2. 

Place cut face down into a microwave safe baking dish

half a spaghetti squash in a small microwave bowl

STEP 3. 

Pour in enough water to equal 1 inch in the bottom of the pan. 

water bottle pouring into the plate

STEP 4. 

Microwave for 12 minutes or until the skin pierces easily with a fork. 

Fork piercing the skin of the microwaved spaghetti squash

STEP 5. 

Remove from the microwave and use a fork to scrape the spaghetti like strings from the middle of the squash

hand holding the squash and hand using fork to scrape the spaghetti squash to remove the spaghetti

 

I Know You Love Squash Recipes, Here are a Few More…

Easy Cheesy Squash Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

How to Cook Zucchini on the Stove

How to Cook Sautéed Yellow Squash on the Stove Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How To Microwave Spaghetti Squash

Microwave your spaghetti squash by cutting the squash in half stem to blossom end. Remove the seeds. Place squash cut side down in a microwave safe dish with a lip. Pour 1 inch of water and microwave for 12 minutes until the squash skin pierces easily with a fork.

Since you are trying out squash recipes, here’s my favorite one! Best Southern Yellow Squash Casserole Recipe

How Do I Find a Good Spaghetti Squash? 

  • Look for a squash that is a dark yellow color.
  • Poke the skin with your fingernail.
  • The skin should be very hard and not allow your fingernail to easily penetrate it. 

How Do I Cut the Spaghetti Squash in half? 

You will need a sharp kitchen knife as well as a good cutting board.

  1. Cut the stem end from the squash to make a flat area on the squash.
  2. Using a firm downward motion, cut the squash. 

PRO TIP:  If this is too much for you to do, microwave the whole squash for 5 minutes and then try again. It should have softened enough to allow you to cut it in half. 

fork and squash on cutting board with green napkinHow Do I Get Really Long Spaghetti Strings from my Spaghetti Squash? 

After the spaghetti squash has cooked through, cut it into large rings and remove the “spaghetti” with a fork. 

Do I Need to Peel My Spaghetti Squash? 

No, you do not need to peel the squash for this recipe. 

Can I Over Cook My Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave?

Yes, you can.  If you use it the way I have indicated here, you should have perfectly cooked spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti Squash has some strength to it. It isn’t quite like a squishy noodle.

How Long Is Spaghetti Squash Good For? 

  • An uncut spaghetti squash is good for several weeks.
  • Use before it develops brown soft spots. 
  • The cooked spaghetti squash will be good for 3 days
  • Do not allow the cooked spaghetti squash to sit out for longer than 2 hours without refrigerating. 
  • If you are making a squash casserole, here’s how to freeze one!

How to Make Microwave Spaghetti Squash Taste Good?

You’ll know how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave from this recipe, however, to make it really taste good you are going to have to add some flavor.

Here are some things that will help:

  • Salt and Pepper
  • Garlic Salt
  • A 1:1 mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. 
  • A good quality jarred spaghetti sauce
  • Some frozen meatballs added on top. 
  • Butter
  • Parmesan
  • An alfredo cream sauce
  • Crisp bacon and a creamy milky sauce and cheese
  • Baked with mozzarella Cheese.

Here’s a suggested recipe from the USDA even! 

What Can I Serve My Spaghetti Squash With? 

If you Enjoyed This Recipe for Microwave Spaghetti Squash, you might also enjoy our other microwave recipes that include: 

How to Microwave Eggs

Microwave Ramen

Microwave Asparagus

How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

Microwave Hot Dogs

 

 

close up of the inside of the spaghetti squash and a fork

Tips and Tricks for Microwave Spaghetti Squash

  • Spaghetti Squash are hard and thick to cut through. It requires some effort. Make sure you use a very sharp knife. 
  • Be sure to cut the top of the squash off first, or cut a flat spot on the bottom of the squash to help hold it flat while you cut. 
  • Only put enough water in the dish to come up 1 inch of the squash.
  • Allow the squash to cool completely before you start trying to scrape the spaghetti out of it. That thing gets really hot and you’ll burn your hands. 

PRO TIP:  Want to add flavor to your squash while it cooks? Try using chicken broth instead of water to cook it in! yum!

YA’LL HELP ME OUT, OK?

Please leave me a comment and 5 STAR ( 🌟 🌟🌟🌟 🌟 )   review, I ALWAYS love to hear from you and your comments MAKE MY DAY!  (Plus, it helps me out by letting everyone know that this is the place to find good recipes!)

 

Spaghetti Squash Strands on a fork sitting on cutting board

Microwave Spaghetti Squash

Easy, Fluffy, PERFECT Spaghetti Squash Noodles are ready in minutes with this simple Microwave Spaghetti Squash Recipe! Pair with your favorite sauce for a perfect meal!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: microwave spaghetti squash, how to microwave spaghetti squash
Prep Time: 2 minutes
12 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 75kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Spaghetti Squash
  • Water

Instructions

  • Using a sharp knife, cut off the stem end of the spaghetti squash so that you have a flat surface.
  • Set the spaghetti Squash on this flat surface and then cut it in half from top to bottom (Stem end to blossom enso that it falls apart in two pieces like the halves of a book.
  • Using a metal spoon remove the seeds in the center of the squash. Set aside.
  • Using a fork, poke some holes in the skin of the squash before microwaving.
  • Put the squash face down in a microwave safe dish and pour enough water in the dish so that the water comes up to a depth of 1 inch.
  • Microwave for 12 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing the skin with the fork. If the fork glides in easily, it is done. The flesh will be a buttery dark yellow. If not, then microwave in 1 minute segments until done. It can take as many as 25 minutes. Times vary greatly depending on your microwave.
  • Once the spaghetti squash has cooled enough to touch, use the tines of a fork to scrape the stringy insides out of the squash and use this “spaghetti” any way that you would use pasta that has already been cooked.

Notes

  • If you prefer longer strings of spaghetti, cut the squash into rings and remove the strings.
  • Do not overcook your squash, it will be “al dente” (some work for the teeth to chew) if it is done correctly.
  • Spaghetti Squash are hard and thick to cut through.  It requires some effort.  Make sure you use a very sharp knife.
  • Be sure to cut the top of the squash off first, or cut a flat spot on the bottom of the squash to help hold it flat while you cut. 
  • Only put enough water in the dish to come up 1 inch of the squash.
  • Allow the squash to cool completely before you start trying to scrape the spaghetti out of it. That thing gets really hot and you'll burn your hands.
 
PRO TIP:  Want to add flavor to your squash while it cooks? Try using chicken broth instead of water to cook it in!  yum!
PRO TIP: You can roast the seeds that you removed for a delicious treat.
PRO TIP:  There are lots of things you can do to make the spaghetti squash taste better, such as add butter, parmesan, meatballs, spaghetti sauce, cream sauce.  Please check the post for more information about that.  This recipe really just tells you how to cook the squash.  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 75 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 261mg7%
Carbohydrates 17g6%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 290IU6%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 56mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

I often think about leadership and what it means. In my own life, I’ve had the opportunity to lead some great teams. The teams that worked the best? Ones where the leaders could be the servant of the team helping the team to achieve their potential. In my case, the team served patients (I’m a nurse by training) and when this happens, the patients win.

JOHN 13: 13-15

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Wendi Spraker

Sunday 4th of August 2019

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