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    Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Side Dishes » Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash – 10 minute recipe

    Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash – 10 minute recipe

    June 1, 2019 by Amy Estes Leave a Comment

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    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    Instant pot spaghetti squash takes minutes to make and it comes out perfectly tender and fluffy every, single time! It makes as great low-carb option for spaghetti and meatball dinners or as a healthy side dish!

    Bowl of instant pot spaghetti squash with a pat of butter on it with a black spoon in the bowl.

    The BEST spaghetti squash!

    If you haven’t tried cooking spaghetti squash in the instant pot then you have to try it! You can have it done and ready to enjoy in under 10 minutes and it is pretty much a full proof method for cooking spaghetti squash.

    If you don’t have an instant pot then try this air fryer spaghetti squash! It takes a little bit longer to cook but it still comes out perfect every time!

    Why you’ll love this instant pot spaghetti squash recipe!

    • It is the fastest way to cook spaghetti squash!
    • Foolproof recipe
    • Low-carb + low-calorie
    • Gluten free and paleo
    • It makes the best healthy side dish!
    Whole spaghetti squash on a grey surface.

    How to pick a spaghetti squash

    There are a few ways to tell if a spaghetti squash is ripe.

    • The color of the squash – If the squash is bright yellow (the brighter the better) then it is ripe and ready to be cooked. A pale color indicates that it still needs time to ripen.
    • Scarred skin – If the squash has any black or brown indentations or marks then that means that it has either been damaged or is over-ripe. An over-ripe spaghetti squash will have less flavor and nutrition.
    • Firmness – A ripe squash should have firm skin with no soft spots. Also, a heavier squash typically has more flavor as well.

    Is instant pot spaghetti squash low-carb?

    Yes! Spaghetti squash only has 10 grams of carbs for a 1 cup serving. It is also gluten-free and low in calories. Both reasons why it is a good substitute for spaghetti. Now it doesn’t taste like spaghetti but the long strands (aka what gives it it’s name) resemble spaghetti which makes it a great low-carb option.

    How long do you cook spaghetti squash?

    There are multiple ways you can cook spaghetti squash. It typically tastes the same no matter how you cook it so the method you choose is really up to you. For this Instant Pot Recipe, it only took about 7 minutes to cook which was an incredible time-saver! Here are some other ways you can cook spaghetti squash and how long it typically takes for each method.

    • Roasting (45 minutes)- You can easily roast it in the oven. Simply slice it in half using a large, sharp knife, clean out the seeds, drizzle the inside with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Lay it face down onto a baking sheet and roast it in a 375F degree oven for about 40-45 minutes, depending on the size of your squash.
    • Microwave (10 minutes) – To cook spaghetti squash in the microwave: Simply slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, place it face down in a microwave-safe dish and cook on high for about 10 minutes.

    How to cook Spaghetti squash in the instant pot

    1. First cut the squash in half either lengthwise or horizontally. I cut it horizontally to fit in my instant pot better. Cutting it horizontally will yield longer strands that mimic the look of spaghetti. If it is too hard to cut then just put it in the microwave and cook it for about 3 minutes to soften it a bit so it is easier to cut.
    2. Then scoop out the seeds using a spoon. I use the spoon to cut a circle around the inside of the squash to make it easier to scoop the seeds out.
    1. CUT SQUASH IN HALF
    2. SCOOP OUT THE SEEDS
    CLEAN OUT ANY LOOSE STRANDS

    3. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your instant pot and place the steaming trivet inside.

    4. Place the squash inside the instant pot.

    3. REMOVE THE LID FROM THE INSTANT POT
    POUR IN 1 CUP OF WATER
    4. PLACE THE SQUASH INSIDE THE INSTANT POT

    5. Secure the lid, set the instant pot in “manual mode” to “pressure cook” for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes the pressure will either naturally release. Once the pressure has fully released carefully remove the lid and lift the spaghetti squash out using tongs.

    6. Pour out any excess liquid that may be inside the squash after it cooks. Let it cool for a couple of minutes then use a fork to remove the long strands. I like to run the fork around the edges to get nice long strands of squash that resemble spaghetti.

    White bowl with half of a cooked yellow squash in it with a spoon in the squash.
    Black fork lifting instant pot squash strands out of half of a cooked squash.

    7. Place the cooked spaghetti squash strands into a large bowl and discard the skins. Add 1 tablespoon vegan butter or regular butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat. Pour in some freshly diced parsley and chives along with 1-2 cloves of garlic minced. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Sprinkle on some freshly grated parmesan and Enjoy! It is so incredibly delicious!

    Fluffy cooked yellow squash in a glass bow with butter on it and a fork in the bowl.

    Tips for cooking instant pot spaghetti squash

    • Pick a ripe squash. You want to make sure the squash is not too big so if fits in the instant pot and has more flavor. The heavier the squash the better. You also want to pick a squash that is bright in color with little to not dents of indentations.
    • You can slice the squash in half as I did in this recipe or cook it whole (which takes 15 minutes + release time). In my opinion it yields the same result and it is harder to remove the seeds from a cooked squash.
    • If you have any trouble cutting the squash, then you can place it in the microwave for 3 minutes to help soften it.
    • What to serve with spaghetti squash? You can serve it with butter and herbs along with some cooked protein of choice like these easy baked eggplant meatballs or these butternut squash vegan meatballs, by itself as a healthy side dish or even with a fried egg on top for breakfast.

    More healthy squash recipes

    • Perfect Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    • Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash
    • The Best Mashed Butternut Squash
    • Simple Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
    • Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Did you try this instant pot spaghetti squash recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below.

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    Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash


    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 12 minutes
    • Yield: 4 people 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Fluffy, herby, garlicky spaghetti squash cooked in the instant pot. 7 minutes, super easy and the perfect way to enjoy this beautiful vegetable!!!! A great low-carb, healthy meal option!!!!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 medium size spaghetti squash
    • 1 cup warm water
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
    • 1 tablespoon parsley
    • 1 tablespoon chives
    • salt and pepper
    • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    Prep the spaghetti squash

    1. Slice the spaghetti squash in half horizontally. If it is too hard to cut then cook it in the microwave for 3 minutes to soften it up. Once it’s cut then scoop out the seeds using a spoon and discard them.

    Cook the spaghetti squash

    1. Pour 1 cup of warm water into the bottom of the instant pot and place the steaming trivet on the bottom. Place the two halves of the squash into the instant pot on the trivet either facing each other or face-up.
    2. Place the lid on and secure it. Set the instant pot in manual mode to “pressure cook” on high for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, let the pressure naturally release. This takes about 5 minutes. 
    3. Once the pressure is released, carefully remove the spaghetti squash (I used tags since it is pretty hot) and pour out any excess liquid that may be inside. Let it cool for a couple of minutes. 
    4. Using a fork, pull the long strands of squash away from the skin. Continue until you have removed all of the strands. Discard the skins.
    5. Add the squash to a bowl, top with butter, garlic and herbs. Serve warm with some meatball, chicken or even roasted veggies. 

    Notes

    1. This recipe is great for meal prep and stores perfectly in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To freshen it up you could add a squeeze of lemon and some more parmesan.
    2. Pick a ripe squash. You want to make sure the squash is not too big so if fits in the instant pot and has more flavor. The heavier the squash the better. You also want to pick a squash that is bright in color with little to not dents of indentations.
    3. You can slice the squash in half as I did in this recipe or cook it whole (which takes 15 minutes + release time). In my opinion it yields the same result and it is harder to remove the seeds from a cooked squash.
    4. If you have any trouble cutting the squash, then you can place it in the microwave for 3 minutes to help soften it.
    5. What to serve with spaghetti squash? You can serve it with butter and herbs along with some cooked protein of choice like these easy baked eggplant meatballs or these butternut squash vegan meatballs. 
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 7 minutes
    • Category: Side Dish
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean

    Keywords: instant pot recipes, spaghetti squash, low-carb spaghetti squash recipes

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