How to Make Spaghetti Squash in a Slow Cooker

Spaghetti squash is a popular winter squash, and for good reason. It’s a low-carb and low-calorie alternative to pasta with a slightly sweet taste and crisp-tender bite.

There are several ways to cook spaghetti squash. Slow cooker spaghetti squash allows you to simply pop it in your Crock-Pot (one of the best slow cookers) and get on with your day. It’s the ultimate fuss-free dinner!

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Ingredients

• Spaghetti squash
• 1 cup water

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the spaghetti squash

Start by washing the outside of the squash, then poke several holes all around. This will help the squash cook properly.

Step 2: Cook the whole spaghetti squash

Place the squash in your slow cooker. Add a cup of water to the bottom and cover. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours.

Step 3: Scoop out the seeds

Remove the squash from the slow cooker and let cool slightly. Cut in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the center. Use a fork to scrape the noodle-like strands of the squash.

How to Serve Your Spaghetti Squash

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to noodles, spaghetti squash is a tasty option. It’s delicious served as-is with a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper. You can also sprinkle the “noodles” with fresh herbs. The taste and texture of spaghetti squash pairs well with pasta sauce for spaghetti night, too.

Get creative and browse our collection of healthy spaghetti squash recipes.

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

How long do I cook spaghetti squash in a Crock-Pot?

Cooking time will depend on the size of your squash as well as if you cook on high or low. If cooking on high, it will take about 3-1/2 hours and if cooking on low, expect your squash to cook in about 4-1/2 hours.

What happens if I overcook the spaghetti squash?

If you accidentally overcook your squash, use this trick to improve the overall taste and texture. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a clean kitchen towel and let sit for at least 5 minutes. This will help absorb some of the excess liquid.

How do I store spaghetti squash?

Store leftover spaghetti squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Find more cozy ways to cook winter squash in your slow cooker.

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This squash is outstanding as a side dish, but you can also top it with canned tuna to create a simple, healthy main dish. It's easy and so tasty! I like to use my own canned tomatoes for the best flavor. —Carol Chase, Sioux City, Iowa

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Who said bread pudding has to be for dessert? I love to serve this for brunch or dinner when I want something hearty and a little unusual. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I love to use my garden produce in this veggie-packed soup. Serve it with bread or oatmeal dinner rolls and you have a delicious, healthy dinner. —Julie Sloan, Osceola, Indiana

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This recipe is a marvelously spicy combo that's perfect for cooler fall weather and satisfying after a day spent outdoors. —Monica Osterhaus, Paducah, Kentucky

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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

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When I've got a lot going on, my slow cooker is my go-to tool for cooking veggies. The sweetness of the squash and carrots really complements the spicy seasonings. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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My husband loves anything pumpkin, and this creamy, comforting pumpkin pudding recipe is one of his favorites. We make our easy pudding all year long, but it's especially nice in the fall. —Andrea Schaak, Bloomington, Minnesota

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Fresh thyme really shines in this hearty slow-cooked side dish featuring tender butternut squash, nutritious whole grain pilaf and vitamin-packed baby spinach. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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This appealing soup harvests the fall flavors of just-picked pumpkins and tart apples and is sure to warm you up on a crisp autumn day. I top the creamy puree with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds. —Jane Shapton, Irvine, California

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Pork Chops & Acorn Squash

My husband and I are crazy for the squash we grow in our garden. For a sweet and tangy dish, we slow-cook it with pork chops and orange juice. —Mary Johnson, Coloma, Wisconsin

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Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

There's nothing like a bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning, and my spiced version works in a slow cooker. Store leftovers in the fridge. —Jordan Mason, Brookville, Pennsylvania

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Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili

My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan

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Spiced Acorn Squash

Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York

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Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Much of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up—add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. —Jennifer Machado, Alta, California

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Butternut Coconut Curry

I love my slow cooker because it's so easy to make dinner with one! This flavorful curry was first created for a potluck and since then, the recipe has been requested often.—Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California

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We have this turkey pumpkin chili often because everyone loves it, even the most finicky grandchildren. It’s a definite keeper in my book! —Kimberly Nagy, Port Hadlock, Washington

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Savor your favorite fall flavors with this scrumptious bread pudding, served warm with a sweet vanilla sauce. Yum! —Judith Bucciarelli, Johnson, New York

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I came up with this recipe when I wanted to make dinner in the slow cooker but didn't have time to go to the grocery store. I went through my freezer and cupboards, throwing in what I thought would go well together. —Stacey Cornell, Saratoga Springs, New York

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Maple-Almond Butternut Squash

A heartwarming side dish, especially on chilly days, this is a cinch to prepare, making it a good choice for any weeknight. It’s impressive enough for company, too. —Judy Lawson, Chelsea, Michigan

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We created a satisfying stew that’s nutritious, loaded with flavor and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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This soup’s golden color, smooth texture and comforting taste make it welcome on a chilly fall day. It has a slightly tangy flavor from the cream cheese, and the cinnamon really shines through. —Jackie Campbell, Stanhope, New Jersey

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Take a trip to Morocco with this rich, exotic dish. A tagine is a North African slow-cooked stew named after the pot it’s cooked in.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Here’s a healthy slow-cooker soup that's ideal for vegetarians and those watching their weight. Butternut squash and lentils make it hearty, while herbs and other veggies round out the flavor. —Mark Morgan, Waterford, Wisconsin

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I’m a stay-at-home mom, and the slow cooker helps me create dishes like this pork with a curry and cumin rub. I also add a splash of coconut milk. —Beverly Peychal, Waukesha, Wisconsin

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Butternut squash, a leek and fresh kale make my minestrone different from most others. Not only do ingredients like this help keep the fat grams down, but they create a lovely blend of flavors.—Tiffany Anderson-Taylor, Gulfport, Florida

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My family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sunday my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad's favorite! I changed the recipe to suit my family's more modern palates, but it still seems just as exotic and delicious. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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This filling rice dish, full of big chunks of butternut squash and sweet potatoes, is a standout combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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I first had this dish during a trip to Argentina a few years ago. It inspired me to recreate it at home. It turned out so well, I wrote "Yum!" on the recipe card! —Kari Caven, Post Falls, Idaho

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The post How to Make Spaghetti Squash in a Slow Cooker appeared first on Taste of Home.

source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/slow-cooker-spaghetti-squash/

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