The Best Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

Preheat oven to 400.
Stab the spaghetti squash with a knife several times in different places so that steam can be released during baking.
Place the whole spaghetti squash in a baking dish.
Bake for about 1 hour.
Remove from oven and cut in half.  But wait!  Make sure you cut it in half across the width- not the length.  The spaghetti "noodles" are wrapped like a spool of thread, so if you were to cut lengthwise, you would be cutting all those strands of noodle into shorter pieces.  You will get longer noodles if you cut it in half across the width.
Now scoop out the seeds.
If the spaghetti squash is not tender yet, return the squash to the pan with the cut-side down and continue to bake until tender.
When the spaghetti squash is done, you can use a fork to gently loosen and separate the strands.

A note from my experience:  The first time I ever tried spaghetti squash, I was so excited to cook it up! But unfortunately, the flesh didn't turn into noodles as it should.  It was mushy and not noodley at all.  I tried a second squash and this time IT WORKED!  So I want to encourage you that if you get one that doesn't behave properly, don't give up.  Just try another one!  I also occasionally get one that is bitter or has a rotten center.  Again this is not normal.  I always offer money back if you get a dud!

Of course, 99% of the time they are delicious.  I love to top my spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce (duh) or get fancy and do sundried tomatoes, basil, and cheese.