How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (2024)

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I love spaghetti squash. It’s an amazing source of fiber and Vitamin C and once you know how to cut spaghetti squash the right way and prepare it, it’s a game-changing base to use in place of pasta. You also know I love a good hack — anything to make life and the prep and cooking process easier, right? When I shared about how I handle spaghetti squash on Instagram recently, you all went crazy for my tips. So I wanted to do a step-by-step tutorial for perfectly tender (never mushy) spaghetti squash. And if you don’t already have a favorite way to eat spaghetti squash, scroll down for some of my favorite recipes that use it!

How to cut spaghetti squash

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (1)

Squash skin can vary in terms of thickness, but for the most part, they’re all pretty tough! So cutting them can be a hassle and even a bit dangerous since they don’t have any flat sides to rest on while you cut. So my trick here couldn’t be easier. As soon as you set your oven to preheat, stick your squash in whole. Just pop it on the rack and go about the rest of your prep. When your oven beeps that it’s heated, take the squash out (spare your fingers and use oven mitts).

Place it on a cutting board, cut the stem side off, and discard it. You’ll notice immediately how easy it is to cut through now that it’s been heated! You want to continue cutting in that same direction — creating about 2-inch rounds — until it’s all sliced. Cutting it this way keeps the strands longer and more like actual noodles. Plus, it cooks faster. Win, win!

HOW TO PREPARE SPAGHETTI SQUASH

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (2)

Once you’ve scooped the seeds (much easier to do once it’s in these small pieces), give both sides a quick rub with olive oil and pop them onto a sheet pan. Give the slices a touch of salt, but not too much! Adding too much salt can cause the squash to get too watery as it cooks. And then you’ll be left with mushy strands. You’re only seasoning to cook the squash here, and you can add more salt once it has cooked to actually season it to your taste.

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH PERFECTLY

The other key here is temp. You want to make sure you’re cooking at a high enough temperature (400 degrees is great) to roast the squash and not steam it. If it steams at a low temp, it’ll be overly soft, but roasting at a high temp will cook it perfectly. Once the squash is cooked, the strands should easily pull away from the skin when you pull them with a fork. Use the fork to scrape all the strands into a bowl and discard the skins. Now you can either use your cooked spaghetti squash for a recipe like the ones below. Or, you can season it to taste. I like it with a little olive oil, some more salt, and a little bit of garlic powder. Prepared this way, it’s paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, Whole30, vegetarian, and vegan — the perfect base for any topping you’re craving!

Enjoy!

DELICIOUS SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPES

My most popular squash recipe is hands down my Chicken Bacon Ranch recipe. And if you already love this one, stay tuned for a similar one coming up on the blog!

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (4)

My Chicken Parm with Spaghetti Squash is another classic I come back to again and again.

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (5)

The Shrimp and Tomato Pasta from Meals Made Simple is bright and delicious and a family-favorite around here.

Or how about some classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?

Watch me make Spaghetti Squash on Instagram!

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Roasted Spaghetti Squash

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5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Danielle
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds)
  • 1T extra virgin olive oil
  • tiny pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Place the squash directly on the middle rack and turn on the heat to 400°F to soften the skin. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. When the preheat timer goes off, remove the warmed squash from the oven, slice off both ends, and cut crosswise into four or five rounds. Scoop out the seeds from the center of each round.
  3. Drizzle both sides of the rounds with 1 tablespoon of the oil and a pinch of salt, then arrange the rounds in a single layer on a parchment lined sheet pan.
  4. Roast 20 to 25 minutes, until the squash is fork-tender.
  5. Use a fork to pull the flesh into noodle-like strands from the sides of the squash rounds. Discard the skins. Season however you like!
How to Cut Spaghetti Squash the Right Way (2024)

FAQs

Why is my spaghetti squash so hard to cut open? ›

To soften spaghetti squash for cutting, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pierce the squash several times with a fork, then microwave it for about 4-5 minutes to soften the skin. Alternatively, place the whole squash in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This makes cutting easier.

Is there a tool to cut spaghetti squash? ›

You'll need a few tools to cut spaghetti squash. The first and most important is a very sharp chef's knife. Ideally, the knife should be 8 inches or larger, so the blade can make contact with the entire squash at once. A too-short blade may get stuck and be tricky to dislodge.

How do you cut squash hacks? ›

👇🏼 Poke holes all over the squash. Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Once it's cool enough to handle, your knife will slide in more easily and safely. #kitchentips #kitchentipsandtricks #spaghettisquash #wintersquash #knifeskills #cooking101 #kitchenhacks #kitchenhack #butternutsquash.

How do you make squash easier to cut? ›

5 Smart Tips for Cutting Tough Winter Squash
  1. Start with a large, sturdy knife.
  2. Trim the ends of the squash first.
  3. Cut butternut squash in half at the neck.
  4. For easier cutting, heat squash in the microwave first.
  5. If it's just too tough to cut, cook it whole.
May 1, 2019

What is the best knife to cut spaghetti squash? ›

Best Knife To Cut Spaghetti Squash

First things first, you need a sharp knife. A chef's knife at least 8 inches long should do the trick. A larger knife allows you to cut through the entire squash at once. You can also use a small pairing knife, but those can get stuck easily and are tricky to dislodge.

Is spaghetti squash supposed to be crunchy or soft? ›

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands. You can also taste it right now — if the noodles are still a bit crunchy for your taste, put the squash back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes more.

How do you get the crunch out of spaghetti squash? ›

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. ...
  2. Slice the squash in half. ...
  3. Scoop out the seeds. ...
  4. Place the squash in a roasting pan or baking dish. ...
  5. Pour in a little water (optional). ...
  6. Roast the squash for 30 to 45 minutes. ...
  7. The squash is done when tender. ...
  8. Scrape out the squashed.
Aug 5, 2021

Is spaghetti squash healthy? ›

Spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it may aid weight loss and digestive health. Try roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb alternative to pasta, combined with veggies, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

What temperature should I roast spaghetti squash at? ›

Food Network Kitchen's How to Cook Spaghetti Squash, as seen on Food Network. Step two: Roast and shred. Cook in a 400 degrees F oven until fork-tender, about 25 minutes. Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use the tines of a fork to loosen and separate the strands of squash from the skin.

How do you cut spaghetti squash off the vine? ›

If frost is imminent, however, and you have spaghetti squash that would be in danger, don't despair; it's time to take action! Harvest the unripe squash by cutting the fruit from the vine. Be sure to leave a couple of inches (5 cm.) of vine on the squash when you cut it.

Why won't my spaghetti squash cut? ›

Spaghetti squash can be tough to cut raw. The outside is hard and the raw flesh can be a bit of a challenge to work through. To safely cut into a squash (spaghetti or another kind), you need to make sure you have a nice sharp knife and a flat, stable work surface to cut on.

What is the best tool for cutting squash? ›

The first and most important thing to have on-hand is a very sharp chef's knife or a longer, thick utility knife. Lay the squash on it's side. Raise a knife 3-4 inches above the squash and give it a little chop to break into it. Using your other hand, press down on the top of the blade and slice all the way through.

What knife is best for cutting spaghetti squash? ›

First things first, you need a sharp knife. A chef's knife at least 8 inches long should do the trick. A larger knife allows you to cut through the entire squash at once. You can also use a small pairing knife, but those can get stuck easily and are tricky to dislodge.

How do you train spaghetti squash? ›

Once your squash has put on growth, gently weave the shoots onto and into the trellis. Soft plant ties and string can help steer wayward stems in the right direction. Most squashes will then produce tendrils that will grip their supports like a mountaineer pulling himself skywards towards the peak.

How do you harvest and cure spaghetti squash? ›

Once you harvest spaghetti squash, if you want to store it for any length of time, you need to cure it. To cure spaghetti squash, simply let it sit in a sunny spot for 10 days.

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