Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Article by: Krissy Downey

We love a cheesy pasta bake, but even the coziest winter dinners need a boost of nutrition. Enter spaghetti squash. This hearty winter vegetable packs a healthy punch without compromising on warm, comforting flavor, and most of the work takes care of itself in the oven. From nutty cheeses to classic tomato sauce, the flavor possibilities are truly endless. Read on for everything you need to know about the best way to cook a spaghetti squash.

What Is Spaghetti Squash?

Spaghetti squash is a yellow, oval squash variety that is in season during the fall and winter months. When cooked, the flesh is easily shredded into long strands that look just like spaghetti. These “noodles” are more fibrous and textured than real spaghetti, but, with the right preparation and sauce, they are the perfect veggie substitute. Roasted spaghetti squash is also hearty and nutrition-packed, making it a full meal unto itself.

How to Roast Spaghetti Squash Like a Pro

Microwave the squash for a couple minutes to soften the skin. Raw, whole spaghetti squash has a very hard and tough outer skin that causes trouble for even the sharpest knife. Microwaving the whole squash for just two minutes softens the skin just enough to easily pierce through.

Cut the squash crosswise, not lengthwise. Many baked spaghetti squash recipes will call for you to cut the squash lengthwise, but the strands actually go around the squash, not up and down. Cutting it crosswise keeps the strands super-long and twirlable, so when you scoop them out, you’re pulling everything toward the center, keeping those strands intact.

Roast the aromatics under the squash. Putting aromatics like garlic and thyme under the squash halves while they bake will create a flavorful steam that will soak into the flesh of the squash. Spaghetti squash is naturally slightly sweet, so the savory herbs and alliums will balance out that sweetness.

Be gentle with the “spaghetti” strands. The bake time for spaghetti squash is about 40 minutes, which is just enough time to guarantee the “spaghetti” strands are tender but still slightly al dente. With that perfect texture, the strands can be a bit delicate. Make sure to use a fork to gently scoop them out and keep them nice and long—no breakage here.

What to Add to Spaghetti Squash

We mash up the roasted garlic with butter and toss that simple mixture in with the spaghetti squash strands. We finish the dish with a healthy dose of Parmigiano Reggiano for that salty, savory hit. And if you’re feeling fancy, a handful of toasted pine nuts add a little texture and nuttiness that really brings it all together.

However, you can mix roasted spaghetti squash with any of your favorite pasta toppings, from marinara sauce to pesto.