• naturalLiving
  • activitiesfor kids
  • Easyrecipes
  • yourhome
  • just formoms
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Natural Living
    • Essential Oils
    • Natural Homemade Ideas
    • Natural Solutions
  • Activities for Kids
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Playdough and Slime
    • Sensory Activities
  • Recipes
  • For Your Home
    • Backyard Chickens
    • Easy DIY Projects & Crafts
    • Organizing Tips
    • Tips and Hacks
  • For Moms
    • Caring for Yourself
    • Parenting
    • Product Reviews
    • Travel
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • SHOP
↑

Living Well Mom

I help moms with simple, natural ways to look after their families. Find recipes, fun stuff for kids, and simple DIY ideas. Plus natural solutions made easy peasy!

  • naturalLiving
  • activitiesfor kids
  • Easyrecipes
  • yourhome
  • just formoms
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Home
  • Seasonal
  • Essential Oils
  • Natural Solutions
  • Autism

The Quick and Easy Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash

By Erika in Dinner

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!" this idea now...

When I started a clean-eating, grain-free, dairy-free diet change last fall, spaghetti squash quickly became my favorite replacement for spaghetti noodles. We used to eat a lot of pasta, so it’s wonderful to have a healthy option like this amazing vegetable!

The only problem? It took so long to cook spaghetti squash! It would easily take 2 hours to cook a full squash in the oven, then even more time for it to cool enough to cut and spoon out the seeds. It just wasn’t practical for me and probably not for you either!

I tried cutting the squash and cooking it that way, but I still wasn’t happy with it. Until one day I had a new idea. And it worked. This idea worked so well that it’s transformed how I cook spaghetti squash, making it so much quicker and easier to serve this tasty vegetable!

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

 

The Quick & Easy Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash:

Cut the spaghetti squash width wise into 4-6 pieces. It doesn’t have to be exact, just try to get each piece about 2-3″ thick. 

The hard rind can be tough to cut through, but I’ve found if I start with a small really sharp knife, then switch to my larger Chef’s knife, it’s easier. Or if my husband’s home, I just have him do it.

Even better, I’ve discovered that the squash is easiest to cut if I let it sit for at least a week after buying it. I think this helps it ripen and soften just a little. 

Back to the chopping….You should get 4-6 pieces depending on how big the squash. It doesn’t have to be exact, just keep in mind that it will cook faster if you have thinner pieces.

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

Scrape away the seeds and innards with a spoon. It’s much easier to do it now than wait until it’s cooked and you end up scraping half the tasty squash ‘noodles’ off too. You can throw the “innards” into the compost pile or you can give them to my chickens who beg for spaghetti squash seeds.

Chickens eating spaghetti squash seeds! They love it!

Lay the pieces flat on a foil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with a little bit of sea salt. This helps absorb extra moisture.

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

Bake at 400 degrees for 45-60 minutes. My squash is usually done within 45 minutes, but the time can vary depending on how thick it is.

When the spaghetti squash is done cooking, you should be able to easily pull the squash “noodles” away from the rind with a fork.

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

Let it cool until you can handle it, then scrape off all the spaghetti squash and serve!

layout of printable recipe binder pages

Love using spaghetti squash as a healthy pasta alternative in your cooking, but hate how long it takes to cook? Here's the quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash that will save you time and frustration! Plus you'll get longer spaghetti "noodles!"

The other advantage to this easy way to cook spaghetti squash is that the “noodles” stay nice and long, unlike other methods that always result in short noodles!

I’ve saved so much time and frustration by using this quick and easy way to cook spaghetti squash. So the next time you’re debating whether to buy a spaghetti squash because it’s so good, but can take so long to cook, remember this and just do it!

Have you tried my tasty Spaghetti Squash Quiche recipe?

Dear Mom, Join the Living Well Mom Insiders

You’ll get exclusive content, “Sunshine for Your Day,” and more stuff Erika doesn’t share anywhere else!
    By entering your info, you’ll become a LWM Insider! Everything is delivered straight to your email inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Filed Under: Dinner, Paleo, Recipes Published on February 26, 2016

    You May Also Love

    Pile of gluten free peanut butter cookies with bowl of peanut butter in the background.
    Chewy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
    homemade macaroni and cheese on plate
    Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (That Your Kids Will Actually Eat!)
    32+ Delicious Spring Recipes

    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a flower essence practitioner and a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She enjoys her chickens, goats, and gardening on a small farm in New Hampshire, and is passionate about sharing flower essences and more ways to renew body, mind, and soul with moms.

    Comments

    1. Ellen Christian says

      March 2, 2016 at 11:44 am

      I love spaghetti squash. It’s a great choice for those who do Paleo or avoid grains.

      Reply
    2. William Sweeney says

      March 3, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      I don’t think I have had spaghetti squash before! I may have to try it sound like something my family would like for dinner.

      Reply
    3. Scott says

      March 4, 2016 at 9:13 am

      I’ve noticed it in the stores lately, so maybe it’s coming into season already? Going to have to pick one up!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer says

      March 4, 2016 at 11:02 am

      Spaghetti squash is just about my favorite variety of this veggie. It’s delicious, and it’s just plain fun. Great post!

      Reply
    5. valmg @ Mom Knows It All says

      March 4, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      One of my brothers love spaghetti squash. I bet they’d have it more if they know about a quicker way to make it.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Erika Bragdon sitting on a bench drinking a drink out of her mug

    Welcome! I’m Erika and I’m the creator behind Living Well Mom.

    More About Erika

    The Latest

    • Easy Homemade Fruit and Veggie Wash (That Actually Works)
    • Chewy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
    • 32+ Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids (That Will Keep Them Busy!)
    • Bubble Painting – How to Paint with Bubbles
    • Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (That Your Kids Will Actually Eat!)

    Trending Now

    • playdough in a container Make the Easiest Homemade Playdough Recipe That Lasts for Months {With Video!}

    • outside holding tick spray bottle with dog Simple All-Natural Tick Repellent for Dogs – with Video!

    • Taco Pizza is a great as an easy family dinner (you can even make it the night before) or a tasty appetizer. Kids love this recipe and the cream cheese/sour cream “sauce” and spicy taco flavor are a hit with adults too. Taco Pizza – The BEST Easy Dinner Recipe

    • homemade macaroni and cheese on plate Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (That Your Kids Will Actually Eat!)

    • big strong homemade bubble solution How to Make Bubble Solution (Easy + Strong Bubbles)

    • Hand pressed into a ball of fluffy slime Fluffy Dish Soap “Slime” (Borax Free)

    • Home
    • Seasonal
    • Essential Oils
    • Natural Solutions
    • Autism

    Living well is a journey not a destination

    copyright ©2025, Living Well Mom. / Site by Pixel Me Designs
    Privacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsDisclaimer
    26 shares