Yes, you can cook spaghetti squash in the microwave! And today, I’m going to teach you just how you can do it.
Have you ever tried spaghetti squash? It’s quite delicious. I didn’t know about this tasty pasta alternative growing up, but now that I know, cooking with it is now one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen.
Spaghetti squash isn’t the same thing as acorn squash or butternut squash, though. Spaghetti squash is relatively neutral in flavor. This is why it makes a great pasta replacement.
When spaghetti squash is cooked, the texture turns stringy. You can easily shred it into long stringy strands that look like thin noodles after you cook it.
Every time I cut into spaghetti squash, I get a bit nervous because it’s quite massive, and I don’t want my knife to slip. An excellent tip to avoid this is to soften the squash first.
In the recipe below, you’ll note that I first recommend that you stab the squash all over with a fork. Then heat it in the microwave for about four minutes. This should help soften it so that cutting it is even safer.
Tips on picking out spaghetti squash
When picking out spaghetti squash in the store, pay close attention to the color and the weight.
Pick up the squash and note how it feels. It should feel heavy. Also, rotate it and take a good look at it. It should be dark yellow or golden. Gently squeeze the squash. It should feel firm.
How to eat spaghetti squash
After cooking spaghetti squash, you can use it as a pasta replacement with a red sauce. You can also mix the spaghetti squash noodles with butter and garlic as a unique and tasty dish. While the spaghetti squash’s flavor and texture are not exactly the same as pasta, it’s so close that you can substitute it in any spaghetti pasta-based dish. Here are a few spaghetti squash recipes worth checking out:
How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave
Step 1: Choose the proper spaghetti squash
1. Pick the squash up and see if it feels heavy. It should feel heavy for its size.
2. Give the squash a good squeeze. It should feel firm.
3. Inspect the squash for any bruises or brown spots.
To summarize: Your squash should be firm and free of bruises or brown spots. If that’s the case, then you have a quality squash on your hands.
Step 2: Soften the spaghetti squash
1. Use a fork to poke holes in the squash. Poke the holes all around and puncture the squash as deeply as you can.
2. Place the whole squash with holes in the microwave.
3. Cook on high for 4 minutes.
4. Remove the squash from the microwave and allow it to cool to the touch.
You want to soften squash because cutting a solid spaghetti squash in half can be a bit challenging. People often worry about hurting themselves when they cut a solid squash like this. This should soften the squash and make it easier to cut in half.
Step 3: Cut and scoop
Note: Be sure that the squash is cool to the touch before you cut it.
1. Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise
2. Scoop the seeds out of the squash
Step 4: Cook the squash
1. Place the squash flesh side down in a baking dish.
2. Fill the baking dish with 1” of water.
3. Cook the squash in the microwave for five additional minutes.
Note: The squash is done when it is fork-tender.
4. Remove the squash from the microwave and allow it to cool to the touch.
Step 5: Prepare the squash
1. Use a fork to scrape the squash and remove the strands (noodles)
2. Continue this process until you can’t easily remove any more strands of squash.
How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave
It is surprisingly easy to make spaghetti squash in the microwave.
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- Water
Instructions
- Use a fork and stab the spaghetti squash all over. This step is to create vent holes.
- Place the squash with holes in the microwave and cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Cut the spaghetti squash into half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the seeds.
- Fill a microwave-safe baking dish with 1” of water.
- Place half of the squash cut side down in the dish.
- Microwave the squash for 5 minutes.
- Carefully check to see if the squash is soft. If not, microwave for an additional 5 minutes. Check to make sure that there is still enough water in your dish. If not, add some more water before continuing to cook.
- Use a fork to scrape the squash strands (noodles) from the squash.
The bottom line
If you still happen to be one of those who hasn’t tried spaghetti squash, you’re missing out big time!
And while spaghetti squash is quite a daunting task to cut into, cooking and consuming one is a definitie treat. Best, when you finally manage to master the art of cooking it in the microwave, it should become one of your staples in no time.
And I haven’t even begun telling you the exquisite recipes that you can prepare with spaghetti squash. Or have I?