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Have you ever wondered how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave? I’m going to show you just how easy it is to cook spaghetti squash. Plus I’m going to give you a few delicious recipes to use with your perfectly cooked spaghetti squash. 

You know I LOVE spaghetti squash – right? 

I’ve made a few recipes on the blog over the years and you all seem to really dig them! Like my Southwest Taco Stuffed Spaghetti Squash and my Sausage and Peppers Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.

I mean, what’s not to love about a winter squash that literally shreds like pasta? 

Now, usually, I roast my squash BUT I’m here to share a secret with you today. 

YOU CAN MICROWAVE IT! 

That means cooking spaghetti squash just got even easier!

I used a lot of exclamation points up there. Sorry, I’m basically Elaine Benes. 

How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave

Listen, all you need is the following:

• spaghetti squash (obviously)
• sharp knife
• 9×13 glass microwave-safe dish
• water

That’s it! How freaking simple is that?!

I often get asked how to make spaghetti squash so this post has been a long time coming. 

Obviously, the first you want to do is cut that spaghetti squash in half.

I’m honestly always relieved when I manage to cut through squash and not chop my hand off. I seriously wonder what the statistics are on people losing fingers because they were just trying got cut a squash in half.

I’m betting hundreds. 

If you’re terrified of cutting into the squash, you can stab it all over with a fork (making little vent holes) and put it in the microwave for about 4 minutes. 

This will help soften the outer skin and make it easier to cut through the squash. 

After your squash is cut in half it’s time to scoop out all those seeds and weird stringy insides. 

I’m betting you could roast those seeds and make a pretty killer snack. 

A few years ago I made sweet salty roasted pumpkin seeds, and now I have a craving to try this with my spaghetti squash seeds. 

I love being able to use all the squash. 

After your spaghetti squash is cut in half you put it cut side down into a 9×13 glass pyrex dish.

My microwave is wide enough to fit a dish this size but if you own a smaller microwave you can easily do each half separately in an 8×8 or save the other half for later in the week.  

I love the idea of saving half for later in the week because I can almost never finish a whole squash. 

It’s so good but I’m not that much of a beast. 

How long to cook spaghetti squash?

One of the most important steps to making this whole “how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave” recipe actually works is adding water. 

You’re looking for about 1 inch of water in the dish before it goes into the microwave. 

This helps steam the squash so it turns out soft and delicious. 

My microwave takes about 15 minutes to fully cook but that timing should be adjusted for the size of your squash and the wattage of your microwave.

Also, make sure you don’t run out of water in your pan. 

How to make spaghetti squash?

After your squash is ready you just use a fork to shred the inside flesh.

I pull it in from the sides and bottom and it should all come off from the outside shell.

It’s sorta amazing to see it all pull off and just throw away a thin squash shell. 

That’s it. That is how you cook spaghetti squash in the microwave.

And shredding is all you have to do to “make” the squash. 

Easy peasy. 

What to make with spaghetti squash?

Here are a few recipe ideas from the blog! 

• Southwest Taco Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
• Sausage and Peppers Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
• Spaghetti Squash with Sauce

More easy dinner recipes

• One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
• Easy Beef and Broccoli Ramen Noodles
• Honey Spiced Glazed Chicken
• Buttermilk Cornbread Topped Chili
• Stuffed Honeynut Squash