Like baking, you can cook spaghetti squash in the microwave whole or halved. I prefer to cook it whole for a couple of reasons. First of all, microwaving spaghetti squash whole prevents the need to cut through it raw, making it safer and easier. Second, the squash keeps its texture without burning or drying out. Finally, there’s no cutting board needed, which means fewer things to wash. Win-win!
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash In The Microwave
This section shows how to microwave spaghetti squash, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
How Long To Microwave Spaghetti Squash?
Cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave takes anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the squash. Start with 8 to 10 minutes for a 1-2 pound squash, and add an additional 2 minutes for each additional pound of weight. The knife should be able to pierce the skin with very little resistance. (You do not want it to pierce through too smoothly, as that means the squash will be overcooked and mushy.) If there’s too much resistance, it’s not done, so continue to cook in 1-2 minute intervals as needed. Here is a time chart for microwave spaghetti squash of different sizes:
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep microwave spaghetti squash in an airtight container, with or without skin, in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.Reheat: Warm up leftover spaghetti squash in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F.Freeze: Place the noodles in a freezer-safe container or zip lock bag, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, or in a sealed bag submerged in water on the counter, before reheating or using in recipes.
Ways To Use Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave offers up a quick, easy, and healthier pasta substitute that can be used in so many different ways! Here are some of my all-time favorite ways to use it in recipes:
Sauces – Serve microwave spaghetti squash with your fave sauce as a pasta alternative. Try it with sugar-free marinara sauce (or other tomato sauce), creamy Alfredo sauce, or vibrant pesto sauce.Cheese – In addition to olive oil, salt, and pepper, I love a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. You can also mix in other cheeses, like mozzarella or cheddar.Spaghetti squash recipes – Use it to speed up the prep in recipes that already call for cooked spaghetti squash, like spaghetti squash lasagna, keto pad Thai, or creamy spaghetti squash carbonara.Chicken – Spaghetti squash strands make the perfect base for saucy chicken dishes, like mushroom chicken, creamy Cajun chicken, or garlic butter chicken. But you can also serve it with simple options, like healthy baked chicken breast.Steak – Serve it on the side with a tender sirloin steak, or New York strip if you’re feeling fancy.Fish – My baked cod and pan seared halibut recipes both come with a sauce that’s delicious drizzled over microwave spaghetti squash, but you can’t go wrong with simple baked salmon, either.Soups – One of my favorite ways to use it is to make a low carb chicken soup! You can also add the noodles to other soups, like coconut curry soup or vegetable soup, or replace the zoodles in keto pho with spaghetti squash instead.Casseroles – Use the microwave shortcut to make a spaghetti squash casserole, replace the cauliflower in a pizza casserole, tuck the noodles into a chicken bacon ranch casserole, or even mix them into a breakfast casserole.
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