Name: Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4-5 pound spaghetti squash; 1 cup water

Microwave Spaghetti Squash is such a simple lunch or delicious side dish! It is easy to make and ready in 20 minutes or less!

Spaghetti squash with marinara sauce and parmesan

Microwave Spaghetti Squash is one of our go to side dishes when it comes to dinner. It cooks up so quick in the microwave and you can top it however you like. We even eat it pretty plain with just a little butter and salt and pepper. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it tastes good on its own.

I prefer to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave, it tastes less like a squash, if you know what I mean. I always feel that when I bake spaghetti squash in the oven it ends up tasting like a pumpkin and that kind of ruins it for me.

How to Cut Spaghetti Squash

Before cooking the spaghetti squash in the microwave, the first step is to cut and clean the squash. With a very sharp knife (and a little muscle) slice off both ends of the spaghetti squash. Stand the squash up on one end and slice down one side of the squash, then down the other side lengthwise to cut the squash in half.

Once you have the spaghetti squash open, use a large metal spoon to scrap and clean out the seeds and yummy guts of the squash. Discard all of the insides of the squash.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave

Now that you’ve got your spaghetti squash guts all cleaned out, you are ready to cook your spaghetti squash in the microwave. In a medium-large baking dish pour in about and inch of water. If you are using a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, you will need 1 cup of water. Depending on the size of your spaghetti squash, you can determine how much water you will need. You don’t want too much, or it will take too long to cook. Just make sure you water is about 1/2 to 1 inch up the side of your squash. If have a smaller squash, or you are only cooking one half at a time, you can use a smaller dish, like and 8 x 8 or 7 x 11. Since you are baking in the microwave, always use a glass baking dish.

spaghetti squash in a baking dish covered with plastic wrap

Place the spaghetti squash cut side down in the baking dish with water. Cover the dish tightly with clear plastic wrap.

How Long to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave

For this recipe, I used a 5 pound squash and it cooked for 15 minutes in the microwave. Your cooking time will vary depending on the size of your squash. If you are cooking both halves of the squash set the microwave for 10 minutes and check the tenderness at the end of that cooking time. If it still needs a few more minutes, cook it in 2 minute intervals until it is tender.

If you are only cooking one half of the squash, start with 7 minutes and check for tenderness. You will want the squash to be soft to the touch. I usually just test the back of the squash with my finger to see if it indents easily.

microwaved spaghetti squash in a glass baking dish

Carefully remove your cooked spaghetti squash from the microwave and take off the plastic wrap. Your squash should be tender and flake easily with a fork. You can place your cooked squash on a serving dish, shred and top with your favorite toppings, or eat right out of the squash.

microwave cooked spaghetti squash on a dish

Ways to Serve Spaghetti Squash

I like to think of spaghetti squash just like a bowl of spaghetti noodles, without all the carbs! Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy a delicious serving of microwaved spaghetti squash.

drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper
add butter and salt and pepper
sprinkle on freshly grated parmesan, with olive oil
top with your favorite spaghetti sauce
drench in some creamy Alfredo sauce
top with garlic butter and Italian seasonings

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy spaghetti squash. Let me know down in the comments your favorite way to serve and eat microwave spaghetti squash.

Ingredients Needed for Microwave Spaghetti Squash

These are the ingredients just for the basic microwave spaghetti squash recipe. It couldn’t be simpler.

4-5 pound spaghetti squash
water
glass baking dish
clear plastic wrap