This is how to cook whole spaghetti squash in slow cooker whole to make vegetable noodles for a healthy side dish. It’s a no prep way of How to Roast Spaghetti Squash Whole in a Crockpot.
Ok so I love using my Crockpot for all the things. I have made Easy Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs year after year but in the new year I do try to eat healthier. Believe it or not, squash noodles work great as an alternative for a low carb meal with the same sauce.
If you have seen these at the store and wondered what to do with it, this is literally the easiest way to get the insides fork tender. Once you reach that state you can scrape with a fork and it will come out looking like noodles!! That is right, squash pasta!
I too wasn’t so sure how much I would like that whole idea either (I can see you furrowing your brows about this idea), but it is delicious! Seriously even my picky husband said it was a great alternative when we wanted a starch but were trying to eat healthier.
How Long to Cook Whole Spaghetti Squash in Slow Cooker
You will need 3 hours to get this done but y’all this is the easiest way to cook this to tender. So tender that you can slice with a knife and scrape the “noodles” out with a fork with ease. Game changer I tell you, a great way to steam vegetables I tell you!
I have shared How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Fast in the past. If you would rather use the low slow method where you set it and forget it in the morning you will love this one. With just a little bit of water you can steam your gourd to tender now!
How Long to Cook Spaghetti Squash on High
First off I suggest you use low and slow for the best results. It only takes a few hours this way so it doesn’t make sense to speed it up but if you really need it faster I would suggest using a pressure cooker, or 2 hours on high does work (or until tender).
There is literally NO prep when it comes to this. I mean I suggest that you wash the outside just so that when do you in fact slice thru it you don’t drag bacteria from the store into the middle with the knife but other than that you just pop that baby in and cook on low until tender!
How Long to Cook Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Cut in Half
Actually it is better if you leave it whole so the condensation doesn’t build up in the middle and make it wet. If you really want to slice it into 2 halves you can and the cook time won’t change. I might choose this method if you want to make Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds while the flesh is getting tender.
I would suggest this method if making Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash as it won’t fit if you don’t, and the hot air needs to target the middle.
What can you make with squash noodles?
Serve Spaghetti Squash Pasta with sauce or just butter or olive oil, parsley and garlic salt. Our friend made a batch of squash lasagna bake one night which is another fun tweak for a meal. Add layers of cheese, sauce and ricotta for the same basic flavors but healthier for sure.
Sauces to Add
You can keep it simple by folding in some jarred sauce like marinara or alfredo for a creamier option. That is your easiest option. From there you can add precooked chicken for protein or….
Spaghetti Squash Pizza uses spaghetti meat sauce with pepperoni, mushrooms and all your favorite toppings. Super easy dinner idea that is also a fun new way to make an “old fashioned” favorite a bit differently.
FAQ
No, we didn’t here. If you cook it low and slow like we did in our Crockpot you can soften the outsides enough for the steam to permeate the rind. Longer and the flesh will become fork tender to scrape and make spaghetti squash noodles, slicing it in half like butter in this case.
I would suggest that you don’t add alfredo sauce until the last hour or so (or it may separate) but yes technically you could. Once sliced into 2 halves you’d need to remove the seeds before adding spaghetti sauce (or other non dairy type).
You want to keep them airtight so they don’t dry out. Wait until they cool completely, transfer to a freezer bag, suck all the air out and store in the fridge. Ideally it is best reheated the next day but can be kept for 3 days.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth, or water
Instructions
- Wash the outside of the squash and place it in a 6 quart slow cooker with 1/2 c of water. Turn to low and let it cook for 3 hours. Turn off and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Slice lengthwise in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds in the center. Discard or roast them later.
- Use a fork and shred the middle into strings resembling noodles. Top with butter, salt and pepper, parsley and fresh parmesan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
