Instant Pot spaghetti squash is the ultimate vegetable side dish. You can serve it with dinner—or use the “noodles” as a base for a quick and easy low-carb meal.
If you’re looking for a low-carb pasta alternative, spaghetti squash is for you. This simple step-by-step guide will show you how to make Instant Pot spaghetti squash in under 10 minutes.
Spaghetti squash is harvested in fall but can last for months when stored in a cool place, so it’s typically available from early fall through winter. Once it’s cooked, serve it as is, with pasta sauce, drizzled with pesto or baked in a casserole. The options are endless!
Cooking spaghetti squash in a pressure cooker only takes about 8 minutes, plus the time it takes to come to pressure. The end result is fluffy, crunchy noodle-like strands that have a mild, slightly sweet taste.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Ingredients
- Spaghetti squash
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
Step 1: Grab your pressure cooker
Place the wire rack or trivet inside your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.
Step 2: Prepare the spaghetti squash
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Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and discard. Alternatively, set aside and roast squash seeds for a healthy snack. Brush with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Cook spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot
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Transfer squash to the Instant Pot, close the lid and make sure the vent is turned to Sealed. Manually cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Once the squash is done cooking, manually quick release the pressure by toggling the valve to Vent. Watch out for the spray of the steam!
Remove the squash from the Instant Pot and use a fork to fluff up the strands of spaghetti squash noodles.
How to Serve Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
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Spaghetti squash is surprisingly filling. It can be served as a side dish, appetizer or even an entree depending on what you’re in the mood for. Serve with store-bought pasta sauce, bake a squash casserole or put a spin on classic pasta dishes by using cooked spaghetti squash instead.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
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How long do you cook spaghetti squash in an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot spaghetti squash cooks in just 8 minutes, plus the time it takes to come to pressure, which is usually an additional 10 minutes. From start to finish, cooking spaghetti squash in a pressure cooker takes just under 20 minutes.
Can you cook a whole spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Be sure to pierce the spaghetti squash with a knife or fork to vent, then follow the standard instructions by placing it on the trivet with 1 cup of water and cooking on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before manually turning the pressure release valve.
What should I do if my squash is undercooked?
If you slice into your squash and realize it’s not fully cooked, continue to cut the squash open and remove the seeds. Place each half, one at a time, in a microwave-safe bowl along with a touch of water. Microwave until fork-tender, about an additional 2-3 minutes for each half.
What happens if I overcook spaghetti squash?
Overcooked squash has a spongy, mushy texture, rather than the crisp-tender bite of a properly cooked squash.
If you overcook the spaghetti squash, place the squash halves cut-side down on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Let sit for at least 5 minutes to help remove the excess liquid. This trick will help improve the texture and taste!
Can I store leftover spaghetti squash?
Absolutely. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Our Best Spaghetti Squash Recipes
Taste of Home
Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole
One of our favorite comfort-food dinners is spaghetti and meatballs. We’re crazy about this lighter, healthier version that features so many veggies. It has the same beloved flavors with more nutritious ingredients! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Go To Recipe
Garden Harvest Spaghetti Squash
I was in the grocery store one day and spotted this interesting looking yellow hard squash, the spaghetti squash. I just had to try it, so I took it home and cooked it according to the label on the squash. I topped it with my favorite vegetables for pasta, and it was a instant family favorite. —Veronica McCann, Columbus, Ohio
Feeling inspired by these recipes? Learn how to make spaghetti squash the right way.
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Spaghetti squash, like zucchini, can take over a garden. This is an excellent way to put that abundance to good use. I got the original recipe at a cooking class, and I’ve made it many times since. It’s unique and tasty. —Mina Dick, Boissevain, Manitoba
Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash
I grow spaghetti squash and herbs in my garden every year, so this recipe is the perfect way to use them up. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas
Swapping pasta with spaghetti squash is a great way to keep your dinner low-carb. Discover more healthy spaghetti squash recipes.
Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
When my mom and I cooked spaghetti squash with meat sauce, all we could do was grin and say “Wow!” It’s fun to separate the noodle-like strands from the squash shell, but eating it is the best part! —Lina Vainauskas, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
Spaghetti Squash Casserole Bake
One of our daughters shared this recipe along with squash from her first garden. —Glenafa Vrchota, Mason City, Iowa
Mushroom & Bacon Spaghetti Squash Bowl
This spaghetti squash bowl has a light cream sauce, along with fresh sage and crispy bacon. I love spaghetti squash but get tired of having it with a tomato-based red sauce. This recipe will make you and your family excited about spaghetti squash again! —Emily Montgomery, Madison, Alabama
Spaghetti Squash with Apples, Bacon, and Walnuts
I’ve always loved spaghetti squash as an alternative to pasta and enjoy it in the classic marinara style, but I wanted a new recipe so my family and I could enjoy it more often. The savory, salty and sour flavors combine perfectly with a hint of sweet spice. While the squash is baking, prep the rest: It will take only minutes to finish after you shred the squash. —Jeff Tori, Johnstown, Colorado
Chorizo Spaghetti Squash Skillet
Get your noodle fix minus the pasta with this spicy one-dish meal. It’s a fill-you-up dinner that’s low in calories—which makes it a weeknight winner in my book! —Sherrill Oake, Springfield, Massachusetts
Cheesy Bacon Spaghetti Squash
This quick casserole is called “cheesy” for a reason. Stir in any kind you’ve got. —Jean Williams, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Spaghetti Squash Lo Mein
My colorful Lo Mein is a lighter version of the classic Chinese dish that everyone at our table loves. Try it with a squirt of Sriracha. —Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
Harvest Bow Ties
Spaghetti squash and bow ties make this meatless dish hearty and filling. Add a can of black beans if you’d like more protein, and switch up the tomatoes for variety. Try using Italian diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes with mild green chiles. —Anne Lynch, Beacon, New York
Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Pressure-Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes
This squash is perfect as a side dish, or top it with canned tuna to serve it as an entree. I use my own home-canned tomatoes for the best flavor. The dish is easy, tasty and light! —Carol Chase, Sioux City, Iowa
Spaghetti Squash & Sausage Easy Meal
My son’s favorite dish uses homegrown spaghetti squash, kielbasa, and pico de gallo or salsa. —Pam Mascarenas, Taylorsville, Utah
Italian Spaghetti Squash
This is a unique and easy way to cook spaghetti squash. Be sure the squash is on the small or medium side so that it fits into the slow cooker after being cut in half. —Melissa Brooks, Sparta, Wisconsin
Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce and Tomato
I have reduced grains and other starches in my diet due to health reasons, so I was looking for filling, comforting meals without pasta or potatoes. When I was tinkering with this spaghetti squash recipe, I discovered something fun to eat! —Becky Ruff, Mc Gregor, Iowa
Beef and Black Bean Spaghetti Squash
I’ve been working on developing healthier recipes that still taste fabulous—and keep me satisfied. This squash tossed with beef, beans and kale has so much flavor it’s easy to forget it’s good for you! —Charlotte Cravins, Opelousas, Louisiana
Salsa Spaghetti Squash
If you want spaghetti, but are eating gluten-free or trying to keep a lid on carbs, there’s always spaghetti squash as a flavorful alternative. Subtly sweet, tender and satisfying, this is one colorful dish. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
Turkey Stroganoff with Spaghetti Squash
My twin sister and I came up with this entree after we both successfully lost weight but still wanted to indulge in comfort food. Spaghetti squash is a fantastic healthy alternative to pasta, and we use it in many recipes. —Courtney Varela, Aliso Viejo, California