Learn how to cook spaghetti squash and do your body good with minimal effort. Whether you’re making spaghetti squash into pasta or burrito bowls, it’s a damn tasty way to get your veggies in for the day. Here’s a guide for your next meal.
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Like An Expert
What You’ll Need:
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 2 tsp of extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- An oven
- A spoon
- A fork
Step 1: Picking Your Squash
The main element of the recipe revolves around the squash vegetable itself. This means you’d need to pick a spaghetti squash that is dry and firm. Take a minute or two to inspect the vegetable at the store, making sure it’s free from any bumps, cracks, or soft spots. The weight of the spaghetti squash should be a little on the heavy side and its stem should be intact.
Never buy a spaghetti squash with a damaged stem. A dry and rounded stem is a good sign that the vegetable has kept bacteria out. Another tip is to stay away from squashes with a shiny rind, as these may simply be a product of artificial wax coating. If in doubt, opt to buy from the farmer’s market instead.
Step 2: Prepping the Squash
Preparing spaghetti squash is as easy as 1-2-3; you’d be surprised you didn’t make it any sooner. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. You can also choose to line your baking tray with parchment paper to make cleanup easier. While the oven is preheating, cut the spaghetti squash lengthwise using a knife. A cut from the top all the way to the bottom is best to allow for bigger surface areas.
Scoop out the seeds of the spaghetti squash with a spoon. The larger the utensil is, the easier this part of the job will be. Once the seeds are removed, drizzle the vegetable with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Then place the squash halves skin-side up on the parchment paper in your baking tray.
Step 3: Bake The Squash
Leave the spaghetti squash in the oven for 40-60 minutes. Cooking time is done once the flesh of the vegetable easily yields to a fork. Want to cut down the cooking time? Choose smaller-sized squash.
Once your cooked squash is ready, take it out of the oven and use a fork to fluff the vegetable flesh. The fork is the secret to making the squash look like spaghetti strands, so practice patience as you fluff.
Step 4: How to Serve Spaghetti Squash
Some people choose to treat spaghetti squash the same way they would treat usual spaghetti noodles, by simply pouring over some bolognese sauce and topping the dish off with some Parmesan cheese. Others, however, are more adventurous and prefer their cooked squash strands turned into burrito bowls or pizza bowls.
The most fun part is, they turn the spaghetti squash into the bowl of their meal itself. All they simply do is put the rest of the toppings and ingredients inside the spaghetti squash, such as guacamole, beans, and cole slaw, and they’re all set!
Spaghetti Squash Tips:
When to Buy
Squash is generally available all year round. However, the peak seasons for this fibrous vegetable is early fall until winter. They’ll make perfect meals for a lunch or dinner date indoors during the cooler climates.
Why Cook Spaghetti Squash?
Trying to cut carbs a bit? Then spaghetti squash is the next best thing to enjoying “pasta” sans the carbs and gluten. The vegetable alone is rich in fiber, vitamins C and A, as well as potassium. In addition to all these nutrients, spaghetti squash also gives an extra layer of flavor to its dishes, as compared to regular spaghetti noodles.
Here’s a video from Inspired Taste on how to cook spaghetti squash:
At the end of it all, spaghetti squash is a powerhouse with all its nutrients. It’s a stellar ingredient in many dishes. No harm in stocking up and having this skill handy for a quick meal!
Have any extra tips on how to cook spaghetti squash? Leave them in the comments section below!