I never understood the big deal with spaghetti squash. Every time I tried to cook it, it would turn out mushy and watery. But then I ran across my friend Beth from Pass the Plants’s tutorial for how to cook spaghetti squash, and since Beth has never steered me wrong before, I figured it was time to try it again.
Her method of cutting a spaghetti squash crosswise instead of lengthwise totally changed my world! The resulting spaghetti squash noodles were long, tender, al dente, and not at all mushy. I took Beth’s method as inspiration and went to work on perfecting the method in my own kitchen, and now I’m happy to say we cook spaghetti squash at least once a week in our house! It’s a favorite, and I want to show you how it became one.
What are some spaghetti squash recipes?
Now that you’re a pro on how to roast spaghetti squash, let’s talk about what you should do with it! Here are some ways to doctor up those perfect spaghetti squash noodles:
Two important things to remember to avoid mushy spaghetti squash:
- Salt the spaghetti squash first to draw out moisture: Letting cut spaghetti squash sit with coarse salt on it for 15-20 minutes draws out a TON of moisture from inside the squash. Less moisture equals less mushy noodles.
- Roast at 425°F: Anything lower than that, and spaghetti squash will be steaming instead of roasting, and a steamed spaghetti squash is a mushy spaghetti squash.
Don’t skip the salting step! It draws out moisture so that your noodles aren’t mushy.
HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH | easy roasted spaghetti squash recipe
FAQ
Why did my spaghetti squash turn out mushy?
Why did my spaghetti squash turn to mush?
Does spaghetti squash stay crunchy?
How do you make spaghetti squash softer to cut?
How do you keep Spaghetti squash from slipping?
Let the spaghetti squash cool for a few minutes then place a damp paper towel under a large cutting board to prevent slipping and slice off the top and bottom of the squash. Tip: this extra step of placing a damp paper towel under your cutting board to prevent it from slipping is truly a game changer.
Is spaghetti squash a good food to eat?
Pumpkin is rich in iron and folic acid, very important components for the immune system. Also with a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and high concentration of beta-carotene.
How do you clean a spaghetti squash?
To clean a spaghetti squash, give the outside of the squash a good wash or rinse. Then, once you’ve cut through the squash, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any slimy bits from the inside. You can discard what you’ve just scooped out—or give the seeds a rinse, season, and bake them in the oven! Best way to cook it?
How do you cook spaghetti squash without Mush?
Here’s my trick: Cut the spaghetti squash in half from the stem end to the base, rub the inside lightly with olive oil, and roast it cut-side down on a baking sheet. There’s a little more to it (see the recipe below), but that’s the gist. Easy, right? No fuss, no mush, just tender and delicious spaghetti squash!