If you want to maintain a low-carb diet, there is no better food than spaghetti squash. In fact, it is like the dish was specially invented for bikini season, as a dead-ringer for pasta. It is an amazing dish that is super easy plus diverse ways to make it. I’m sure you’ll love it!
How to cook spaghetti squash in oven cut in half
1. Cut your squash
This is the very first step on how to make a delicious spagetti squash. Cut your squash in half lengthwise. It is necessary to note the the cutting part is definitely the hardest part of making spaghetti squash. But I can assure you that there is really no need to worry. This is simply because with a sharp chef’s knife and a little determination you will do just fine.
2. Remove the seeds.
Once you have successfully scaled through the part of cutting the squash lengthwise, the second step is to remove the seeds. It is however necessary to note that when removing the seeds, do not toss them as they are very useful. Toss on a baking sheet with some chili powder and roast for a delicious crunchy snack! Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste, and once that is done, flip the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet.
3. Put it in a 400°F oven for 40 minutes.
Once you have successfully carried out the first two procedures, the next step is to put the squash in the oven for approximately 40 minutes. It is however necessary to note that the amount of time your squash needs to stay in the oven depends on the size of the squash. This simply means that it is very normal for your squash to take more like an hour. If after 40 minutes you are not sure if the squash is ready, just pull it out of the oven and drag the tines of a fork on the cut side. If spaghetti-like strands easily free from the skin, it is definitely ready, and if not, then you should continue baking and check on it every 5 to 10 minutes.
Note that over-roasting can lead to soggier spaghetti, therefore, it is best to:
4. Shred it
When the squash is ready, allow it cool slightly before creating spaghetti with your fork. Although it is tasty by itself or topped with a little parm, I’ve got some recipes that will make you forget about old pasta.
Yields: 2 servings
Prep time: 0 Hours 5 Minutes
Cook time: 0 hours 40 minutes
Total time: 0 hours 45 Minutes
Spaghetti Squash Ingredients
1. 1 medium spaghetti squash
2. 1 tablespoon olive oil
3. Kosher salt
4. Freshly ground black pepper
Step by step instructions on how to spaghetti squash in oven cut in half
1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds (do not throw them away as they could be useful).
3. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Carefully place cut side down on baking sheet and roast until it flesh becomes easily shreddable. Note that this process only takes 40 minutes.
Spaghetti squash salad
i. Greek spaghetti squash salad with lemon garlic dressing
The Greek salad is a tasty and easy recipe. It gets even more tastier with the addition of spaghetti squash and a touch of lemon-y garlic vinaigrette. Infact, we can say that this easy spaghetti squash salad is practically a main dish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 8 servings
Calories: 142kcal
Ingredients:
1.1 medium spaghetti squash halved and seeded
2. 1 tablespoon olive oil
3. Salt to taste
4. Pepper
5. 2 cups fresh spinach leaves chopped
6. ½ cup sliced black olives
7. 1 cup fresh cherry tomatoes halved
8. ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts
9. ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing:
1. ¼ cup olive oil
2. ¼ cup lemon juice
3. 2 cloves minced garlic
4. 1 teaspoon dried mustard
5. 1 tablespoon agave syrup
6. Salt to taste
7. Pepper.
Step by Steps Instructions:
1. Rub the inside of spaghetti squash halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Carefully place upside-down on a baking sheet. Once that has been done, roast spaghetti squash at 400F 30 to 35 minutes or until squash becomes tender.
3. Allow the squash to cool and then shred the insides with a fork and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the spinach, tomatoes, feta, olive, and artichokes.
How to make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until it becomes smooth and season with pepper and salt to taste. Drizzle over the salad and toss to combine.
ii. Spicy Thai spaghetti squash salad
This is another easy and healthy spaghetti squash salad. It is richly endowed with flavor and finished with a smooth, coconut based dressing. Although light, it is satisfying and nourishing. This dish is perfect for both lunch and dinner. It can also be served with rotisserie chicken for a more nutritious meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
1.1 medium Spaghetti Squash – halved lengthwise and seeded
2. ½ cup Cilantro leaves
3. ¼ cup mint
4. 1 Serrano pepper (thinly sliced)
5. ½ medium red onion (thinly sliced)
6. 4 medium green onions (sliced)
4. ¾ cup cashews ,or ⅓ cup roasted pumpkin seeds
5. 1 Lime – cut into wedges
Dressing:
1. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil plus more for squash
2. 3 cloves garlic (minced)
3. 1 small serrano pepper – seeded and minced
4. 2 tablespoon fresh ginger (peeled and grated, about one ½’’ piece)
5. 3 tablespoon fish sauce
6. 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
7. 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
8. ½ cup coconut milk
9. 3 tablespoon lime juice
10. Garnish: micro greens, sliced scallions, cilantro, lime wedges (optional)
Thai spaghetti squash salad Recipes
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Carefully line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up, then spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Roast the squash by drizzling the insides of each half of squash with little olive oil and season with salt to taste and pepper. Once you have done that, carefully place the squash cut-side down onto the prepared baking sheet, then transfer to the oven and roast for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or better still until the squash can be easily pierced with a fork and cooked through. Allow it to cool. Once cooled, use a fork to carefully srape strands from the skin of the squash and gently transfer to a serving bowl.
To make the dressing: Using a small saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the pepper, garlic, and ginger, and season with salt to taste. Cook for just a minute or perhaps until it becomes fragrant. Now add in the fish sauce, vinegar and sugar. Cook, stirring at intervals until caramelized. This should only take about 3-4 minutes. Gently remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and coconut. With the use of an immersion blender, puree or better still, transfer to a food processor and puree until it becomes smooth. (You can as well use a blender). Taste.
To assemble the salad: in the serving bowl with the squash, add the mint, jalapenos, cilantro, and both types of onion. Pour the dressing in and toss to combine properly. Garnish with some cashews and drizzle with fresh squeezed lime juice. Serve.
How to boil Spaghetti squash
Boiling spaghetti squash is one of the ways of cooking Spaghetti squash. It is easy and consumes less time. However, depending on the method you choose to adopt to prepare your spaghetti squash, the dish can be used in place of pasta. You can as well experiment it with different sauce to get a more nourishing taste.
Ready in: 20 to 30 minutes
Yields: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
1. 1 (4 -8 lb) spaghetti squash
2. Salt to taste
3. Pepper
4. 2 cups your preferred sauce
Step by step instructions
1. Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash.
2. Once the water is boiling, drop in the squash into it and cook for nothing less than 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the squash.
The squash is done when a fork goes easily into the flesh.
Serve with your favorite sauce!
How to cook spaghetti squash in microwave
Microwaving spaghetti squash is a lot more easier and faster than the other methods of preparing it. It also gives a better outcome when combined with your favorite sauce or herbs. It is the perfect breakfast meal for you.
Ready in: 10 to 12 minutes
Yields: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
1. 1 (4 -8 lb) spaghetti squash
2. Salt to taste
3. Pepper
4. 2 cups your preferred sauce
Step by step instructions
1. Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds but do not dispose as they can be used to make a crunchy snack.
2. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with ¼ cup water.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for nothing less than 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the squash.
4. Be sure to add more cooking time if necessary.
5. Cover strand for 5 minutes.
6. Using a fork, comb out the strands.
Baked spaghetti squash recipes
This is yet another amazing method of preparing spaghetti squash. Although, this method consumes more time than the other methods, but the outcome is worth it!
Ready in: 1 to 1 ½ hours
Yields: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
1. 1 (4 -8 lb) spaghetti squash
2. Salt to taste
3. Pepper
4. 2 cups your preferred sauce
Step by step instructions
1. Using a large fork, pierce the whole shell several times or skewer and place in a baking dish.
2. Cook squash in preheated 375°F oven for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours or perhaps until the flesh becomes tender. It took mine roughly about 1 ½ hours to tender up.
Serve.
Spaghetti squash lasagna
Spaghetti squash lasagna is the type of recipe that feels appropriate for eating in winter. The recipe possess all the characteristic lasagna comforts that we need even the thermometer dips, the chunky , heart red sauce loads up your fork and gives you the delicious taste you crave.
Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time:1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1. 2 medium spaghetti squash
2. 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil— divided
3. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
4. ¾ black pepper (divided)
5. 1 pound ground turkey
6. 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
7. ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
8. 2 cloves garlic (minced)
9. 1 (24-ounce) jar good-quality tomato pasta sauce
10. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
11. 1 (10-ounce) pack frozen spinach — drained and pressed as dry as possible
12. 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese — or low-fat
13. 1 cup shredded fontina, mild provolone, mozzarella, or similar melty cheese (divided)
14. ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
15. Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the squash. You can decide to bake it in the oven if you wish.
2. While the squash is baking, heat oil in a skillet, and add your turkey and seasonings to give it taste. Stir content and cook until browned. Add your garlic and stir in the pasta sauce and vinegar.
2. Once the squash is fully baked, fluff the squash so as to separate the strands.
3. Carefully place the spinach in a large bowl and add the ricotta filling ingredients. Stir. Add the spaghetti squash strands to the bowl. Stir, then place the squash halves cut side up on the baking sheet.
4. To fill the squash, add the ricotta filling, then top with cheese and tomato sauce. Bake until heated.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve.
