The Best Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot Method) – a fool-proof way to cook your spaghetti squash (Whole or Halved)
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The quickest and easiest way to cook spaghetti squash!
Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash:
Spaghetti Squash has quickly become one of my go-to favorites to have on-hand. I love always having some prepped in the fridge because one of my favorite snacks or easy meal add-ons is some spaghetti squash with ghee, salt and pepper. It is so simple, but seriously delicious. And while I will always love making it in the oven, making it in the Instant Pot® is my new favorite way to prepare it! Check out the recipe below! (Here is a link to the Instant Pot we use – I absolutely love it!)
Can you cook a whole spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot?
Yes!! You definitely can! Just add your cup of water to the bottom of the pan and use a small to medium sized squash. Make sure you pierce the spaghetti squash all the way to the center to allow it to vent (kind of like piercing a potato in the oven so it doesn’t explode!)). Then cook for 20 minutes and quick release per manufacturer’s instructions.
Or you can cook it halved:
This is my preferred method after testing it a couple times both ways. Cut your squash in half the short way (which is WAY easier than the long way) and pop it into the Instant Pot for 7-8 minutes on High (see recipe below for the rest of the details!).
Either way, it is so much faster than cooking it in the oven!!
Spaghetti Squash Recipes:
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The Best Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 1 spaghetti squash 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to cook spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot (whole or halved). Recipe intended for Instant Pot Duo 6 qt.
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium spaghetti squash, cut in half the short way (widthwise)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Scoop out seeds from inside the squash and discard.
- Pour water in bottom of Instant Pot.
- Place trivet inside
- Ensure Instant Pot is sealed.
- Close lid and cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
- Quick release according to manufacturers instructions.
- Remove from Instant Pot and let cool 10-15 minutes.
- Use fork to gently scrape out squash.
Notes
- Let Cool – I know it is tempting to scrape out the squash right away, but part of the key to NOT having watery squash is to let it cool first. Allowing that steam (moisture) to escape will result in your squash being less watery. I don’t know how many times I have made this and sometimes it comes out (initially) looking and feeling mushy. Let it sit 10+ minutes and check on it – it seems significantly less mushy. Sometimes, though, you do just get a bad squash!
- Al Dente: If you like your spaghetti squash “noodles” a little more al dente – feel free to cook for 5/6 minutes! If you open the IP and the squash feels TOO al dente, you can always pop the lid back on and cook for another minute!
- Whole-Cooked IP Spaghetti Squash – If you are wanting to cook a whole spaghetti squash follow directions above, but pierce whole spaghetti squash with knife all the way through to the center to allow it to vent while cooking. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes for medium squash. Quick release per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days.
Dianne says
This came out great, cook in 7 minutes. Letting it cool was the key. Thanks
Ann Davis-Rowe says
Perfection!! My husband was less than enamored of my dinner plan, but this technique has made him a spaghetti squash convert! No more mushy noodles. Thank you!
Erin says
So glad to hear that!!
Christy Frampton says
Wow this is so exciting! No more fiddling with the squash in the oven!!
Pat says
If you cook it in halves, do you scoop the seeds out before or after cooking?
Erin says
Scoop out the seeds before cooking!
Mary I says
Looks delicious! Did you remove the seeds before cooking?
Beth Dang says
Made this tonight and after scraping out the squash it was very watery. I had to out it through a colander to get all of the excess water out. I will say it was so easy, so maybe I’ll try again and remove it immediately and let it cool a bit before scraping out the squash.