How Long To Cook Spaghetti Squash In Instant Pot

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Easiest Way to cook Spaghetti Squash~Instant Pot Ultra 60 Pressure Cooker

Since this is the easiest recipe, I mean it has easiest in the title, there are literally only 2 steps.;

1 Large Spaghetti Squash that fits inside your Instant Pot;liner

1 cup Water

You simply cook the squash for 30 minutes and then it is all good to go. I love that it is that simple and everyone will love this delicious recipe.;

How To Shred Spaghetti Squash

Cook your spaghetti squash in the pressure cooker until it can easily be pierced with a fork or knife

Slice it in half and scrape out all the seeds with a spoon or ice cream scoop

Use a fork and scrape the insides to separate into spaghetti-like strands

SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR DETAILED COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Tips For Making Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot

How Long Does Spaghetti Squash Keep in the Fridge?

You can keep cooked spaghetti squash in the fridge for between three to five days. You can also freeze cooked spaghetti squash for up to six months.

How Long Do You Put Spaghetti Squash in the Pressure Cooker?

You should cook spaghetti squash in your Instant Pot for between 7 and 8 minutes, depending on the size of the spaghetti squash.

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

Whip up a batch of this Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash to replace your pasta! Best part? This is the easiest and fool-proof method to make these long, yellow strands.

I wasnt always a fan of spaghetti squash. Years ago, whenever my Atkins-Dieting pals extolled the virtues of this low-carb pasta substitute, I rolled my eyes and continued to shovel bowl after bowl of whole wheat pasta into my gaping maw.

How To Cut Spaghetti Squash

I like to use a sharp knife to slice this hard squash in half lengthwise. Typically my knife gets stuck in the hard shell, so when that happens Ill lift the squash by the knife handle and then hit it on the cutting board, so that the knife will continue the cut through the shell. Once you get most of the shell cut, the rest of the shell can be split in half by pulling the halves apart with your hands.

Tip: For longer spaghetti strands, cut the shell the other way, crosswise.

How To Pressure Cook Spaghetti Squash Whole

If you prefer, you may pressure cook spaghetti squash whole.

Rinse Spaghetti Squash under cold, running water to remove any dirt and dust. Remove any stickers.

Place the trivet in the Instant Pot liner with one cup of water. I prefer to use my pressure cooking sling. Its just much easier to remove the HOT spaghetti squash after it is done!
Place the spaghetti squash onto the trivet/rack/sling.
Lock the lid, turn the sealing knob to SEALING, and cook on manual high pressure for 12-15 minutes, depending on the size.

Perform a quick release after the 9 minutes is up.
Carefully remove the squash from the Instant Pot.
Carefully use a knife to to cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the center seeds and pulp. Its incredibly hot, so please be careful!

Take a fork and start fluffing the strands of spaghetti squash noodles. You can dump the noodles into a bowl or plate. Do not squish, mash, or stir the noodles too much.

Where Do I Get Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is is a winter squash and is closely related to acorn and butternut squash. Typically harvested in the late summer and fall, but can usually be found year-round in the grocery store. Spaghetti squash is easily grown in most backyard gardens and takes about 100 days to harvest. This is a great article on how to grow your own spaghetti squash.

Step By Step Directions:

Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut a slit in the middle of the squash.

Put 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Place a steamer rack into the pot. Place the spaghetti squash on the rack cut side up.

Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to MANUAL or PRESSURE on HIGH PRESSURE for 8 minutes. Keep the valve at SEALED. After Instantpot does cooking and goes to keep warm timer, let it sit for 10 minutes. Then release the leftover pressure by moving the valve from SEALING to VENTING.

After the silver pin drops, open the lid.

Remove the squash and rest it on the solid surface. Once it cools down, using a knife, cut it open.Using a spoon, remove the seeds and surrounding membrane in the middle.

Drag a fork along the squash to get noodle like strands of spaghetti squash. Save the squash shells for serving, if you wish

Season with oil, fresh herbs, salt and pepper and red chili flakes

The noodles are subtle in flavor so season it well according to your liking. I like it savory, but a drizzle of cinnamon, butter and maple syrup also tastes amazing.

If the strands are too chewy or crunchy for you, put them in microwave dish, cover and cook for a minute. They will soften and become tender.

Cooked Spaghetti Squash can be frozen. Put the strands into a zip-lock bag and squash the bag flat while taking the air out as much as possible. This makes it easier stacking in the refrigerator as well as evenly defrosting the noodles.

Serving Suggestions For Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot

INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI SQUASH | How To Cook it Whole! | Jordan Cornwell

You can serve this dish as a side with a little salt, pepper, garlic powder and butter.
Toss with a Simple Peanut Sauce and top with cilantro, mint, and peanuts.

Use as a base for a bowl in place of a grain.
Use as a base for most any recipe that calls for pasta.
Saute’ ground beef in a skillet and stir in Marinara.; Serve over spaghetti squash for a quick and easy dinner!

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Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot

To cook a spaghetti squash in the pressure cooker / Instant Pot:

Slice spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds .

Place the steamer rack in the bowl of the pressure cooker.

Add 1 cup water.

Add spaghetti squash halves, cut-side up.

Close and lock the lid.

Set the pressure cook manual setting on high for 7 minutes.

Manually release the pressure.

Remove squash halves and use a fork to loosen the spaghetti squash strands.

What Goes With Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash

I do not love eating spaghetti squash plain, and prefer it with a flavorful sauce. I eat spaghetti squash as a substitute for spaghetti noodles. That said, pressure cooked spaghetti squash can simply be served with browned butter, salt, pepper, and cheese!

Ive also mixed it into vegetable stir fry, macaroni and cheese, or pretty much anything else that has a yummy sauce.

Substitute cooked spaghetti squash in my Olive Garden Chicken con Broccoli recipe! All you do is cook the chicken without the noodles, then add the cooked spaghetti squash and broccoli before the sauce.

The Best Way To Cook Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash can be cooked in many different ways, but I find this Instant Pot method to be both really easy AND the one that has the best texture.

Cut your squash in half crosswise .

Scoop out the seeds and discard

Place the two halves in your steamer basket or trivet and pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Instant Pot.

Manually cook for 7 minutes on high pressure, use a quick release, and let the squash cool for about 10 minutes.

Drain any excess water off the squash and then youre ready to shred the squash and eat!

This method yields noodles with a great al dente texture, but if you prefer yours a little on the softer side, you may need to keep your squash under pressure for another 1 to 3 minutes.

Cut The Squash In Half Width

Heres the trick to getting the longest spaghetti squash strands: and it also makes the squash easier to cut! Cut the squash in half width-wise instead of lengthwise. This is because the strands of the squash actually run around the width of the squash, not the length. Its also easier to cut this way so the knife doesnt slip. Heres how to cut a spaghetti squash:

Use a small sharp paring knife. A small knife can cut this large squash! This is the safest method because it helps to prevent the slippage that can happen with a large knife.

Cutaround the middle width-wise . Pierce the knife into the squash and swing down, making small slices around the squash until it breaks in half. Cutting it this way makes the longest strands or noodles.

Remove the seeds. Use the knife to cut around the seeds, then scoop them out with a spoon.

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash Whole

To cook a whole squash in your Instant Pot, first pierce it with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape as the squash cooks. Make sure that the knife cuts all the way through to the center of the squash.

Cook the whole squash in your Instant Pot using the same method as squash halves, increasing the pressure cooking time to 20 minutes at high pressure for al dente squash. If you like your squash softer or if it is very large, add a few minutes to the cook time. Quick release the pressure when the cook time ends.

Let the squash cool slightly and then cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds before separating the spaghetti squash strands.

Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash

Out of all the ways to cook spaghetti squash that I have tried, the Instant Pot wins hands down. It resulted in the best texture with the least amount of time needed for cooking.

It does take some time to build up pressure, typically around 15 minutes, so it isnt super fast like the microwave. But, I prefer the texture over microwaved spaghetti squash.

And Instant Pot spaghetti squash is a great option for keto noodles when reducing carbs in standard recipes. Its also a fantastic pasta option to include in low carb casseroles.

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Where To Buy An Instant Pot

This is the 6-quart Instant Pot I started out with. After a few years, we added an 8-quart partly because I knew I would use two at the same time often enough, partly because it was the Prime Day sale, and also because I wanted more space for certain recipes. Both are a pretty basic model and you dont need more bells and whistles than that!;

If youre deciding on size, most people say its better to get a deal on the 6-quart and just have 2 rather than go big, BUT if your family has 5 or more people or you really like to batch cook or do more than a pound of beans, the 8-quart may be the best choice. My full Instant Pot review and buying guide for features, size, and model.

If youd like to shop directly at Instant Pots website instead of Amazon , check them out here.

You can even get a carrying case to travel with it! See my review of the Instant Pot carrying case we have.

If youre still on the fence about adding an Instant Pot to your kitchen appliance arsenal here are my Instant Pot pros and cons.

Why Pressure Cook Spaghetti Squash

Easy Way To Cook Spaghetti Squash | Instant Pot Recipe

It is faster than baking in the oven.

You dont need to cut the hard squash before cooking.
It is super easy to cook Spaghetti Squash under pressure. Once you get hang of cooking it, you will keep using it often and again.

Before Instapotting, cutting through the hard shell and then cleaning it felt like a herculean task. Plus, I am afraid of cutting or scraping the fingers when I cut big hard vegetables like any winter squash. They have really tough skin and to cook them efficiently, you need cut and slice them though.

The advantage of cooking spaghetti squash, or any hard-shell winter squash in an electric pressure cooker like Instantpot, is that you do not need to slice it before cooking. Put the whole squash in there, close the lid and pressure cook it. Yes its a Eureka like discovery my friends !

Recommended Reading: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

How To Make Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash

Rinse Spaghetti Squash under cold, running water to remove any dirt and dust. Remove any stickers.

Take the sharpest knife you own, and firmly cut the spaghetti squash in half.
Vertically, through the stem: This is my preferred cut and is pictured above. Youll have shorter strands, but I think theyre still plenty long. Its also easier to get the pulp and seeds out from the center this way.
Horizontally through the center: the stem is completely untouched on its own half.

Using a spoon, scoop out all the seeds and strands. Sometimes Ill use a pair of kitchen shears and snip out any stubborn strands.

Place the trivet in the Instant Pot liner with one cup of water. I prefer to use my pressure cooking sling, because its much easier to remove the HOT spaghetti squash after it is done.

Place both pieces of the spaghetti squash onto the trivet/rack/sling, cut side up. If you place them cut side down, you risk all the spaghetti squash falling out into the pot after cooking.

Lock the lid, turn the sealing knob to SEALING, and cook on manual high pressure for 9-12 minutes, depending on the size. 10 minutes is what works for me almost all the time for a 3lb squash.

Perform a quick release after the 9 minutes is up.

Carefully remove the squash from the Instant Pot and remove any additional seeds or strands from the center that look stringy and not like the noodles.

You can dump the noodles into a bowl or plate. Do not squish, mash, or stir the noodles too much.

Tips For The Best Instant Pot Spaghetti

Youre going to love how easy this is, sometimes you just need to get a meal on the table and I love this one, especially if I dont want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. If I have a bit more time Ill throw together this Slow cooker Italian Chicken and Potatoes or Incredible Homemade Calzone. Always family favorites!

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Is Spaghetti Squash Healthy

Yes! If you looking for a healthy swap spaghetti squash is the perfect substitute for pasta. Spaghetti squash is high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants, and packed with nutrients that include folic acid, potassium, vitamin A, and beta carotene. With around 42 calories per cup, you can see why it would be a popular alternative to traditional pasta.;

How To Know If Your Spaghetti Squash Is Cooked Through

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot

When the pressure has released, you can test if your spaghetti squash is done by gently pressing a paring knife into it. If the knife slides in easily, you can go ahead and cut into the squash. If you feel resistance, you can put it back into the Instant Pot and cook for another 5 minutes .

I cut my spaghetti squash in half , scoop out the seeds, and shred with a fork.

Since we are often using our spaghetti squash in a second recipe which requires cooking, we like to cook our squash noodles to be a bit ‘al dente’ and have a small bit of crunch to them. You can certainly add a few minutes to the cook time in the Instant Pot if you’d like them to be completely soft.

Read Also: Slow Cooker Instant Pot Conversion

How To Make Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Step By Step

Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.

Open the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.

Stack the spaghetti squash on top of each other, cut-side up.

Close the lid and make sure the vent on the top of the lid is closed.

Set to manual, high-pressure for 5 minutes.

When the timer goes off, turn the vent on the top of the lid to release the steam.

Wait about 5 minutes for the steam and pressure to dissipate.

Open the lid and test the spaghetti squash. Fork to turn squash into spaghetti-like noodles. Take a bite to test that its done. You can always cook for another 1-2 minutes on high pressure if needed.

How To Make Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Whole

To cook a whole spaghetti squash in the instant pot:

Use a small knife to poke several holes all around the spaghetti squash.

Place the steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Place the squash on top of the basket and close the lid. Turn the vent to SEALED and set to 15 minutes on high pressure for 15 minutes.

Use the quick release when finished. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes.

Use a large knife to cut the squash in half vertically then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.

Cut lengthwise:

Slice your spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.

Place the steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.; Place the squash halves cut side up on top of the basket then coat with avocado oil or olive oil. You can also season with salt and close the lid. Turn the vent to SEALED and set to 8 minutes.

Use the quick release when finished. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes then use a fork to shred into long spaghetti noodles.

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