Cooking Time For Spaghetti Squash Food

SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Set oven to 375°F.
• Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
• Slice the squash in half lengthwise; remove and discard the seeds.
• Place squash cut side down in a baking dish.
• Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
• Meanwhile melt butter in a skillet.
• Sauté mushrooms, onion, garlic, herbs and seasonings until onion is translucent.
• Add the tomatoes; cook until most of the liquid is evaporated; set aside.
• When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate into strands.
• Combine squash, tomato mixture, ricotta, mozzarella cheese, parsley and crumbs.
• Pour into greased dish.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered at 375°F for 40 minutes, or until heated through, and top is golden brown.

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• (BAKE IT).
• Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish.
• Cook squash in preheated 375°F oven approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until flesh is tender, It took about 1 1/2 hours for mine to tender up.
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• (BOIL IT).
• Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash.
• When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size.
• When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.
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• (MICROWAVE IT).
• Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds.
• Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water.
• Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash.
• Add more cooking time if necessary.
• Let stand covered, for 5 minutes.
• With fork "comb" out the strands.
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• (SLOW COOKER or CROCK-POT).
• Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit.
• Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker.
• Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.
• Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes so it will be easier to handle, before cutting in half (if it wasn't already) and removing the seeds. Pull a fork lengthwise through the flesh to separate it into long strands, (See photos.).
• You can do these steps ahead of time, then prepare any of the spaghetti squash recipes whenever the mood strikes.
• BUYING & STORING.
• When buying spaghetti squash, look for hard fruit that is heavy for its size, about eight to nine inches in length and four to five inches in diameter and with a pale even color. Avoid any squash with soft spots and green color is a sign of immaturity. The average four-pound spaghetti squash will yield about five cups.
• Spaghetti Squash can be stored at room temperature for about a month. After cutting, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days. Spaghetti squash also freezes well. Pack cooked squash into freezer bags, seal, label and freeze. Partially thaw before re-using, then steam until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes.

MICROWAVE SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Carefully cut stem end off the spaghetti squash. Poke a few small slits in the squash in a dotted line where you plan to slice the squash. Carefully cut between the slits until the squash is cut in half. Scoop out seeds and pulp.
• Place squash in a 9x13-inch microwave-safe dish, cut-side down. Pour water into the dish so it is at least 1/2 inch deep.
• Microwave on high power until skin is soft and can be pierced with a fork, 12 to 15 minutes. If dish is too big to rotate, turn off the turntable and rotate dish halfway through.

BAKED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Brush the cut side of each squash half with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Place squash, cut-sides down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast until the squash is tender when poked with a fork, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the Parmesan, panko, garlic, thyme and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Flip the squash and use a fork to scrape the squash into spaghetti strands. Stir in half the mozzarella, if using, then sprinkle the squash with the remaining mozzarella and the panko mixture. Roast until the top is golden brown and mozzarella has melted, 20 to 25 minutes.