How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave

It only takes 15 minutes (or less) in the microwave on high to make this Microwave Spaghetti Squash recipe!

This evening I did not feel like turning on the oven to roast a spaghetti squash for dinner. So I didn’t! I made microwave squash instead and was quite happy with the results.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave

How do I cook spaghetti squash in the microwave without cutting it?

In this tutorial, we microwave spaghetti squash whole. Since we microwave spaghetti squash before cutting it in half lengthwise, you MUST pierce the squash several times with a knife making deep holes that reach to the center of the squash. You do not cut the squash in half or scoop out the seeds until the Spaghetti Squash is done cooking in the microwave. This is similar to putting holes in a potato before cooking it in the microwave. You will have to use a knife to pierce the spaghetti squash because a fork will barely break the skin. It is important to make several large holes in the squash to prevent it from exploding while it is cooking.

How long do you cook spaghetti squash in the microwave?

You microwave a whole spaghetti squash for 12 – 15 minutes on high power, depending on the size of the squash. If your microwave doesn’t have a rotating table, stop and rotate your squash every 5 minutes.

Microwave Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash, approximately 3 1/2 – 5 pounds

Directions:

Poke several deep holes in a clean and dry squash.

Put the squash in the microwave oven on full power for  12  minutes. If you do not have a rotating plate in your microwave, stop and rotate your squash every 5 minutes. Check the spaghetti squash after 12 minutes. If it isn’t soft to the touch cook it on high for another 2 – 3 minutes. The squash will become very soft to the touch when it is done.

Once the squash is cool enough for you to touch, cut off the end with the stem and then cut the squash in half length-wise. Cooking the spaghetti squash in the microwave first makes it easier to cut.

Scoop out the seeds and the pulp that easily comes out with the seeds. You don’t want to dig into the flesh though. (Save the seeds! You can roast squash seeds to make a delicious snack).

Use a fork to loosen the squash strands. Then pull the spaghetti-like strand out of the squash.

Once the noodles have been removed from the squash, they are ready to be topped with your favorite stir fry, pasta spaghetti sauce, pesto sauce, or Alfredo sauce.

Printable Recipe for Microwave Spaghetti Squash

If you want another quick and easy low-carb recipe, then try this Microwave Mashed Cauliflower recipe.

More Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Spaghetti Squash Pie

Garlic Pesto Spaghetti Squash

Italian Baked Spaghetti Squash

Jalapeno Popper Spaghetti Squash

Orange Ginger Stir Fry over Spaghetti Squash Noodles

This recipe was originally published August 12, 2010. It was updated on April 11, 2018.