How To Make Spaghetti Squash

Here's the Dish

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite vegetables! It’s truly amazing because it’s delicious, healthy, and can be used any where you would use pasta! The best part is it has only 40 calories and 8 grams of carbs per cup, verses traditional pasta that has 200 calories and 40 grams of carbs per cup! It can be baked, boiled, sauteed, or even microwaved, but regardless of which way you choose, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare! You can sauté veggies like onion, zucchini, and spinach and add it to the dish, or you could add ground turkey, or boca crumbles to make a meat-sauce to pour over top!

I decided to share my quick and easy method of making spaghetti squash with ‘meat’ sauce, which is one of my personal favorite ways to prepare it!

Method

The estimated total time to make this recipe is 15-20 Minutes.

1

Start off by microwaving a spaghetti squash for 8-10 minutes. This allows the skin to soften, which makes it easier to cut in half lengthwise!

2

Split the spaghetti squash into two even halves. Be careful, it’s hot!

how-to-1
3

Remove the seeds first, and throw them into a ‘trash bowl’, (or you could clean them up and cook them just like you would pumpkin seeds!)

how-to-2
4

Using a fork, loosen the ’spaghetti’ strands from the inside of the squash, scraping them into a bowl or plate.

5

Pick out your favorite seasonings you would use to flavor any traditional pasta dish.  Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray.  Add spaghetti squash “noodles” to the sauteed pan, along with the seasonings of your choice.

6

Let squash cook for about 2-3 minutes over medium high heat, stirring constantly until the squash has become more tender and the excess moisture has cooked out of the squash. (You could eat it just like this, or move on to the next step to make the meat sauce).

how-to-3
7

To make my meat sauce I used ‘boca’ meat crumbles, but lean ground beef or turkey would work just as well!  I also used a low calorie spaghetti sauce, (50 calories per 1/2 cup) and parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.

8

Sautee the ground meat crumbles and sauce over high heat until the ‘meat’ is cooked through.

how-to-4
9

Place 1/2 of the spaghetti squash onto a plate, and top with 1/2 of the meat sauce. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top if desired.

10

Serve warm and enjoy!

Ingredients

1 Large spaghetti squash (about 4 cups) cooked and prepared
1 tsp Garlic powder or seasoning of choice
1/2 tspPepper
1/2 tspSalt (or to taste)
2 cups Boca Crumble Meat or 1 and 1/2 cups lean ground meat
2 tbs Grated parmesan cheese
1 CupTomato sauce of choice1

1 Just be sure to check the label! I would look for one with 50-80 calories per 1/2 cup serving

Katie's Tip!

Spaghetti squash seeds can be cleaned up and cooked the same way you would with pumpkin seeds!

Nutrition Breakdown

2 Servings
260 Calories Per Serving
7 WWP+*

*Weight Watchers Points per serving

49 Comments

Liz @ IHeartVegetables said:

I love spaghetti squash but I haven’t eaten any in far too long! I totally need to make some. It’s like healthified comfort food!

March 3rd, 2011 — 12:25pm  |  Reply

Jenny said:

I love spaghetti squash but I’ve never made it to look that delicious! Great recipe girl :)

March 3rd, 2011 — 12:26pm  |  Reply

Sarah said:

I’ve never had spaghetti squash- I just may try it!

March 3rd, 2011 — 2:02pm  |  Reply

lisa said:

you squash looks great! mine never comes out like that, i always get clumps or some strands are mushy, others chewy and hard. not tasty. ill have to try the microwave method!

March 3rd, 2011 — 7:15pm  |  Reply

Amy at TheSceneFromMe said:

Thanks for showing the method Katie, I’ve always wondered how they get it out!
Now tell me, does it taste like spaghetti?

March 3rd, 2011 — 7:35pm  |  Reply

Maggie said:

Hi Katie,

Is there a lot of fat in the seeds? They look good but I don’t want them if there is a lot of fat in the seeds.
Thank you and God bless.

March 4th, 2011 — 10:49am  |  Reply

christy said:

That looks great! I made sauce yesterday and happened to pick up a spaghetti squash at the farmer’s market as well. Perfect day to make it for the family :)

March 6th, 2011 — 11:18am  |  Reply

Lynn said:

Hello Katie! = ]
Just wanna say how amazing you are with all your recipes and that you are a role model to me. Though I am a mere kid I consider myself an aspiring chef. I want to become a chef but my parents want me to be a doctor. I love to cook and bake and I want to make things tasteful – yet nutritious and healthy. Before, I was very chubby and was often teased but then i started to eat better and managed how much i ate and incorporated more exercise in my lifestyle. Your recipes help me alot to do what i love and feel good about eating what i have made. So I express great gratitude for you and your work.
Ps. I too believe in God. = ]

March 6th, 2011 — 10:32pm  |  Reply

Stefanie@RUNON said:

Thank you for posting this tutorial! I have always been intimidated by spaghetti squash, and now I know it’s really simple! Thanks! This is definitely on the dinner list!

March 10th, 2011 — 3:07pm  |  Reply

Carly said:

Katie, thanks so much for this recipe with step-by-step instructions. I’ve been meaning to try spaghetti squash for a while now – and it was DELICIOUS! The only part I didn’t like was cutting that darn squash. I was nervous to cut it in half it being wobbly and using such a large knife. Do you have any tips on confidently cutting the squash in half?

March 17th, 2011 — 10:31am  |  Reply

Hannah (mindrunningwild) said:

I had spaghetti squash last night!! it’s so versatile and filling!

March 17th, 2011 — 6:40pm  |  Reply

Christine Barrett said:

I always wondered how to do this!!! I will have to try this one!

March 18th, 2011 — 7:30am  |  Reply

Brooke said:

Oh Katie…you have outdone yourself girl…DEEEEEELISH! and so simple. This was my 1st time eating squash. Im hooked =)
Happy 1 yr anniversary Dashing Dish!

March 18th, 2011 — 6:03pm  |  Reply

Ana Maria said:

i love spaghetti, although its rich in carbs, so using squash is a much better alternative!

March 19th, 2011 — 4:30pm  |  Reply

aruna b. said:

this was such a delicious dinner!! I have never heard of this and it was sooooo good. I like even better than pasta :)

March 22nd, 2011 — 10:12am  |  Reply

jenloveskev said:

Mmm this looks delicious!! I might just have to make this soon.

March 26th, 2011 — 5:09pm  |  Reply

Ashley Marg said:

this looks delicious, but i’m a little nervous to try it! does it have a similar taste and consistancy to spaghetti?? it looks sooooo good!!

March 30th, 2011 — 1:06pm  |  Reply

Dana said:

Spaghetti is my favorite dish, it was my birthday pick every year and would be hard pressed to substitute. That being said I went into trying this dish today with an open mind. Since I had an open mind about what it would taste like, I enjoyed it. Now I am not saying it will replace spaghetti for me but it will be another healthy dish that I will eat in the future. Thanks Katie for the recipe.

June 17th, 2011 — 2:10pm  |  Reply

Jodie said:

Oh my! One word: Yuuum! That just looks amazing! Great recipe, thank you :)

June 30th, 2011 — 8:53am  |  Reply

Heather said:

Just wanted to thank you for the recipe! It was super good! I was a little nervous as Im not much of a squash person…but I am now! :) I’m looking forward to trying more recipes… -13 lbs and counting! :) (Not to shabby for somebody who makes cakes for a living!! haha) Thanks again!

July 9th, 2011 — 7:31pm  |  Reply

Loryn said:

Aloha,

I can honestly say that this recipe is, by far, the BEST spaghetti squash recipe I have ever tried. It tasted amazing and I am sure my hubby agrees! Thank you for such a great tasting, healthy recipe!!

October 18th, 2011 — 9:44pm  |  Reply

Jannett said:

Thank you for this post! Just found your site & just bought my first spaghetti squash!

November 18th, 2011 — 6:57am  |  Reply

Julia said:

Yes! I am such a big fan of spaghetti squash! Thanks for the recipe!

January 5th, 2012 — 10:19pm  |  Reply

Julia said:

I also make one using the following ingredients.
2 tsp olive oil
6 cloves of garlic minced
1 large tomato cut into chunks (or 2 plum tomatoes)
About 4 cups baby spinach leaves
About 2 cups cooked spaghetti squash
Salt & Pepper
Parsley for garnish

Light, but very filling and only 120 calories a serving!

January 5th, 2012 — 10:22pm  |  Reply

Stephanie P said:

Just bought my first spaghetti squash today! Been thinking about trying it since your sister posted something about it on fb! Hoping my family loves it…thanks for making it look so yummy! Hoping for a fabulous and healthy 2012!

January 7th, 2012 — 1:54pm  |  Reply

Julie D said:

I made spaghetti squash tonight. Upon looking for a “method” to fix it, I stumbled upon your site. I will definitely have to explore your site. The spaghetti was wonderful and even my kids loved it. My 3 year old is sometimes picky, but she ate her whole plate! Thanks again for the instructions and the step by step pictures.

January 10th, 2012 — 6:53pm  |  Reply

Brenda said:

This is DELISH!!! This is my new way of making spaghetti. My daughter said, “this is my new favorite dish, you can make it anytime.” I will be making the lemon bars next.

January 16th, 2012 — 2:57pm  |  Reply

Kareem Grindle said:

Major thanks for the blog.Much thanks again. Keep writing.

February 3rd, 2012 — 1:48am  |  Reply

Laurel said:

I have wanted to try spagetti squash for a long time and haven’t found anyone who liked it. I tried and LOVED your recipe! Thank you!

February 12th, 2012 — 6:27pm  |  Reply

Stacia said:

So I tried this last night and after being in the microwave for 5 mins, it exploded… not very bad just blew out about 2 in slit at the bottom of it. I know I have a little higher voltage microwave than most so maybe just need to turn the cooking power down??

February 21st, 2012 — 7:58am  |  Reply

Bethany said:

I just discovered your site and LOVE it. I want to try everything. I made this spaghetti squash last night and ate a huge bowl. It was so good and guilt free and I didn’t walk away from dinner still hungry. Question – the squash I bought was huge and I still have a lot left over. Can you freeze it for later use?

March 11th, 2012 — 7:42am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

SOOOO true Liz! Couldn’t of said it better! :)

March 3rd, 2011 — 1:19pm  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

Thanks Jenny! :)

March 3rd, 2011 — 1:20pm  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

Maggie…Its the same fat/cals as pumpkin seeds…but healthy fat! :)

March 4th, 2011 — 3:19pm  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

It tastes better than spaghetti to me~ slightly sweet! :)

March 4th, 2011 — 3:20pm  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

Thanks SO much Lynn! What an awesome compliment! :) I would say..FOLLOW you PASSIONS… You will never regret it! :) And way to go on changing your lifestyle!!!

March 7th, 2011 — 6:12am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

Let me know how you like it Christy! :) xox

March 7th, 2011 — 6:13am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

Your welcome stefanie! Glad it’s not ‘so intimidating’ now!

March 11th, 2011 — 6:17am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

thanks jodie! :)

June 30th, 2011 — 6:13pm  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

wow…amazing heather! :)

July 10th, 2011 — 5:06am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

thanks so much! :) xo

October 19th, 2011 — 9:53am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

yum sounds great julia!

January 6th, 2012 — 11:10am  |  Reply

Katie Farrell said:

oh stacia, next time just pierce the squash with a knife a few times before microwaving to prevent that! :)

February 26th, 2012 — 6:56am  |  Reply

Leave a Reply

Notify me when people reply to my comment

Going shopping? We'll send this ingredient list right to your email.

click anywhere to exit
Return To Top