Oven Baked Spaghetti Squash
So very easy to make and so deliciously tasty, Oven Baked Spaghetti Squash might very well become your favorite side dish or pasta replacement!
I remember when I was a kid, I used to totally despise spaghetti squash…
I wasn’t really big on squash period back then, but spaghetti squash, I particularly didn’t care for; I found it to be bland, tasteless, boring and I also wasn’t a fan of its somewhat strange texture. Mostly, though, I think that I disliked it mainly because it was used as a replacement for one of my favorite food items in the whole wide world: pasta!
But now that I’m all grown up, I’ve completely changed my mind about this fascinating vegetable. Not only do I ADORE its very unique, stringy nature, but I’m totally in love with its delicate, slightly nutty and buttery flavor.
Still, I rarely use it as pasta replacement, though. I much prefer to enjoy it as is, in all its glory!
I like to cook my Spaghetti Squash pretty much the same way I do my famous Oven Roasted Butternut Squash: roasted slowly in a hot oven until its flesh caramelizes a little bit and turns a beautiful shade of golden brown. Not only is the method super easy, but it also gives the squash a wonderfully delicious flavor, not to mention strikingly jaw dropping and mouthwatering good looks!
The only real tricky part, if there is one, is in slicing that squash open… but even that, you’ll see, isn’t all that hard at all!
To make the “Squash Halving” operation a complete success, there are a few very simple rules to follow, the first one being you must use the proper tool for the job. A sharp chef knife is the only way to go!
Next, you want to make sure that you stab the gourd right in its center first, as opposed to trying to slice it right from the get go.
Just hold that blade perpendicular to the squash and then go ahead and shove it straight down the center of the squash.
Then, pivot that blade and lower it into the squash to do the actual slicing. After you’ve made one cut, turn the squash around and repeat the exact same thing on the other side, then roll it onto itself and repeat again on the opposite side.
If you find that the little stub is too hard for you to slice across, don’t worry about it and just leave it in place: it should rip right out once you’ve been completely around the squash with your knife.
Time to scoop out the guts and seeds. To do that, I like to use one of those ice cream scoops. They’re super sturdy and their sharp edge really digs easily into the flesh.
Then, place your squash halves onto a dark roasting pan and drizzle them with a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
Finally, turn the squash flesh side down, add about a half cup of water to the pan and bake in the oven, uncovered, for about 60 to 75 minutes, until softened and the flesh can easily be pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.
Check from time to time to make sure the squash isn’t burning. You want the water to eventually completely evaporate, which will allow the squash to caramelize, but you don’t want anything to burn. Add a little bit more water if you feel things are getting a tad too dry and dark…
Dark metal pans absorb and spread heat more quickly and efficiently than lighter-colored ones, which plays a big role in the browning and caramelizing process. If you didn’t have a dark roasting pan, crank up the oven heat to 425°F and make sure to keep an extra close eye on the water situation.
When your squash is baked to your liking, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes, then flip it over and gently scrape the flesh with a fork to form long strands that look just like spaghetti.
There isn’t even a special technique to do that… it all happens naturally, you’ll see!
All that’s left to do now is serve your squash while it’s still piping hot, garnished with a little bit of freshly chopped thyme, or any other herb that you prefer.
And maybe a sprinkle of vegan parmesan and a drizzle of evoo, for a little bit of added flavor and richness, why not?
Oven Baked Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1-2 medium / large spaghetti squash
- 3-4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Generous sprinkle of salt and ground black pepper
- Fresh thyme to garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Cut the squash in half and scoop out the guts and seeds with a spoon; place the squash halves in a dark roasting pan* and drizzle them with a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
- Turn the squash flesh side down, add about 1/2 cup of water to the pan and bake in the oven, uncovered, for about 60-75 minutes, until the squash feels soft when squeezed and the skin and flesh can easily be pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Check from time to time to make sure the squash isn't burning. You want the water to eventually completely evaporate, which will allow the squash to caramelize, but you don't want anything to burn. Add a little bit more water if you feel things are getting a tad too dry and dark...
- When your squash is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes, then flip the halves over and gently scrape the flesh with a fork to form strands that resemble spaghetti.
- Serve piping hot, garnished with a little bit of fresh thyme (or other herb of your choice), if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
If you’ve tried this recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and let me know how things went for you in the comments below. It’s always such a pleasure to hear from you!
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*Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January of 2017 and has since been updated with better instructions and pictures. A few minor modifications to the original recipe may also have been made.
23 Comments on “Oven Baked Spaghetti Squash”
It is amazing how much this has a spaghetti look. I have never had this. I need to try it sometime. After all, I just had my first butternut squash this past summer. Loved it!!
I use it as my spaghetti with my favorite spaghetti sauce and it is delicious. sprinkled with a bit of parmesan cheese on top.
We do also! Great for gluten free meal!!
Thank you so much for the how to cut instructions. I’ve never been real good at that part and this worked like a charm! And the recipe rocks!
So very happy to hear! Once you know how to do it, it becomes super easy, doesn’t it?
Just used your cutting technique on an acorn squash–first time I haven’t butchered the thing! You can teach an old dog new tricks! Thanks again!
Hahaha! Real happy to hear, Pawinpa! Thanks for the morning chuckle! 🙂
Yum Yummmm is all I can say!!
I love this recipe. The spaghetti squash comes out perfect every time! I refer anyone to this website and recipe all the time. ????
Awww thank you so much Heather! That’s really super kind of you! 😀
I learned from another site to cut the spaghetti squash width wise. It’s easier to cut and the spaghetti squash strings come out easier and longer because that’s the way it grows.
Should I put tinfoil in the bottom of the pan? I’ve heard to do just as you have instructed – but no water and put the squash on tinfoil or parchment. I’m so not a cook…
My method doesn’t require tinfoil, David.
Can I store this spaghetti squash after I pull out all the spaghetti noodles or possibly freeze it ? I also cooked zucchini spirals but my stomach couldn’t handle it , i hope this squash spaghetti works for me 👍🏻
Absolutely, Carol! Hope you have a more positive experience with the spaghetti squash!
Great recipe, definitely will do it again and will recommend it. I seasoned it with olive oil, salt, onion powder and garlic powder. It came out delicious.
Sooo good! I recommend moving the tray every once in a while to make sure the waters even, and serve with Parmesan and mushroom or nutritional yeast for vegans
OH YUM! Sounds heavenly. Thank you Lilli!
I LOVE SPAGHETTI SQUASH THIS RECIPE IS SO GOOD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. MAKING THIS FOR DINNER.
My sista brought the wrong squash n I didn’t want 2 hurt her feelings so I called a gf n she gave me this recipe n now I’m hooked on spaghetti squash. Its delicious
Great recipe. Because I’m a solo senior, I’ve often baked mine in my air fryer but, today, I’m doing food prep and didn’t know how long to cook more than one in the oven. Thank you for posting these instructions. I plan on dehydrating the extra and sealing them with a food sealer so I can have it when I’m not feeling well. I also want to say that an inexpensive hand saw is what I use to cut mine. Had a mastectomy years ago and missing muscle in the arm I favor (my right). I clean the blade with white vinegar and dry it thoroughly. I just don’t have the strength to cut it with a knife. I bought that handsaw for about $7 and it works great.
Perfect! Easy to follow instructions made this a winner!
Although i have helped my mother through the years growing up with cooking for our large family i ha e never prepared spaghetti squash on my own. My mom has been gone for 35 years. My husbands mom has also prepared this but she has been gone an equal amount of time. But i put on my big girl apron tonight and followed your recipe. Totally worth it. I ate it plain with butter but also we broke out my homemade sauce and had it try it with the sauce. Such memories. Thanks for the recipe