These best five ways to cook spaghetti squash are in the order of cooking time.If you have all day, set the crock pot on, or if you like that fresh baked smell to fill the house, bake it in the oven. If you just want to get it done and start eating as fast as you can, I would suggest the microwave. Try out all the different ways and see what you like best!
#1 - In the Crock Pot - Pick a squash that can fit in your crock pot whole. Pole holes through the shell with a fork, and place in the crock pot. Add a couple of cups of water, and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until fork pokes through skin easily.
#2 - In the Oven, Whole - Poke holes in the skin several times with a fork. Place the entire squash in the oven. Cook at 375F for about 1 hour, or until soft.
#3 - Boil in a Pot - Find a pot big enough to hold your squash. Fill with enough water to cover the whole squash and set to boil. When the water is boiling, add the squash and cook 20-30 minutes until fork pokes through skin easily.
#4 - In the Oven, Halved - Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Place open sides down onto a baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook at 375F for 20-30 minutes or until skin is easily poked with a fork.
#5 - Microwave in a Dish - Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Place squash in a microwaveable dish with the open side up. Add a few cups of water, and cover with saran wrap. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes covered, then test to see if it is done, and cook longer if needed.
I found that slicing the squash in half and scooping out the seeds first, before it was cooked was easier then scooping out the seeds after, and trying to sort out the flesh from the seeds when cooked together.
Here are some good spaghetti squash recipes to use cooked squash.
Spaghetti Squash Recipe with Cheese
This is also a really quick dinner especially if squash is cooked ahead of time. If you like cheese, and squash this will quickly become a favorite dish!
1 large spaghetti squash cooked and prepared.
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Mix all ingredients in microwave safe dish or oven safe dish. Microwave for 2-5 minutes, or heat in oven for 5-8 minutes until all ingredients are hot and cheese is melted.
Serve.
Spaghetti Squash Bake Recipe
It is so quick and easy to put together. Bake the squash ahead of time, then throw the ingredients together, and serve to the table only 10 minutes later. Makes a great lunch or dinner! Or use the leftovers for a snack!
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups spinach
1/2 fresh tomato chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup spaghetti squash cooked and prepared
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated cheese
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients except cheese. Pour into a casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Serve. (Per Serving - 3.3 g carbohydrates) (serves 6)
Layered Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Preparing the squash then layering in individual bowls or a large family size glass bowl creates an interesting look and gets the taste buds going, before even lifting the fork to eat.
1 large spaghetti squash cooked and prepared
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 pound ground meat (your choice)
3/4 cups mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Cook squash. Cook meat. Heat ricotta cheese in microwave. Heat up spaghetti sauce.
Layer in a large bowl, or in individual bowls, squash, ricotta cheese, meat, mozzarella cheese, spaghetti sauce, then parmesan cheese.
Serve. (Per Serving 14 g carbohydrates, 6.6 g fiber) (serves 6)
Basic Spaghetti Squash Recipe
This is a good starting point. It is a place to get ideas, and think of new things to add to your squash. All you need is:
Flesh from 1 large spaghetti squash, (about 5 cups)
Miscellaneous ingredients of your choice. Ideas are below.
After cooking and preparing the squash start pulling out all the ingredients you like or feel like adding today, and mix it all together, and serve warm.
This can be any amount to your taste any of the following:
Garlic, salt, pepper and other herbs and spices that you like, fennel, dill, curry, red pepper flakes
Meat choices are endless, ground beef, ground turkey, diced chicken, pork strips
For cheeses there is Parmesan, Feta, Cheddar, mozzarella, blue
Vegetable choices are also endless, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli, peppers
If you are adding tomato sauce, put it on at the end as a garnish. This will prevent the squash from becoming mushy.
Have fun, enjoy and try new things!
T Lynch
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