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    Main Dish » How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats (The Right Way!)

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats (The Right Way!)

    Posted On November 26, 2018 By Mirlene Last updated September 23, 2021 75 Comments

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    Here’s the RIGHT WAY to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    Savory Thoughts: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ― Virginia Woolf,

    How can you think if you are not fueled by the proper energy, or nutrition, or even the necessities in life we need to sustain?

    Let’s take a moment to talk about spaghetti squash boats today. I eat squash all the time, but as much as I eat it, I used to hate handling it. I hated dealing with the tough skin.

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats -savory thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time

    Here’s why this Spaghetti Squash boat recipe work?

    There are so many different methods on how to handle squash.

    Some of the best practices include: bake first, steamed in a pan in the oven, sliced into rings, cut lengthwise, or boil first.

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    All of those options will work, but I have a preferred method. I microwave the squash whole for about 5 minutes to soften it up. I find this to be the most effective way to handle almost any squash, especially spaghetti squash. 

    How do you cook squash boats and how do you make spaghetti squash with ground beef?

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    Here’s my trick: after I microwave the spaghetti squash, I then would cut the squash lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Base it with olive oil in the cavity and the edges, then bake it face down on 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

    Then remove the boat from the oven and fill it with the beef sauce and cheese. Then bake for an additional 10 minutes.

    Sounds easy, right? See no hassle or stress! In the end, you are left with a delicious spaghetti squash to enjoy with your family. The squash is left moist and very much ready to be filled with your favorite toppings.

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    Now that we have gotten that out of the way, here’s what you’ll need: Spaghetti squash, onions, fresh parsley, fresh basil, tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and olive oil.

    The squash is filled with fiber and is perfect for fall and winter. It’s a great way to have “spaghetti” without all the high carb guilt.

    Other recipes will you like:

    Garlic Basil Chicken 

    Baked Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup

    Latest Video: Haitian Tasso (Steak Bites) Recipe

    Did you make this Spaghetti Squash recipe? Tag me on Instagram or Facebook and please give it a star rating below!

    SAVE THIS SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPE TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS!

    Also, I am always pinning tasty recipes, Let’s connect on Pinterest!

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    How To Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats

    Savory Thoughts
    Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value.
    5 from 48 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Resting Time 10 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 People
    Calories 560 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Spaghetti squash
    • ⅓ cup Onions diced
    • 1 lb Ground Beef
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon fresh basil
    • 2 tomatoes, crushed or 1 can crushed tomatoes
    • 2 cups tomato sauce
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese
    • ½ cup mozzarella cheese
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
    • Heat the squash in the microwave for 5 minutes to soften it up.
    • Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and brush the olive oil in the cavity and the edge of the squash. Bake for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile the squash cook, in a hot skillet brown the beef for about 5 minutes.
    • Once brown, add salt and pepper. Stir. Then add the crushed tomatoes, onions, herbs and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes.
    • Add the tomato sauce. Stir. Let simmer on low for 7 minutes. Remove from heat set aside.
    • Use a fork to lightly scrape the inside of the squash, then fill in the cavity with the meat sauce. Topped with cheese and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool and serve warm. 

    Notes

    How To Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats: Step-by-step photo guide: 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2PeopleCalories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 26gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1801mgPotassium: 860mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2050IUVitamin C: 30.5mgCalcium: 630mgIron: 2.7mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!

    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Boats - Savory Thoughts - Here’s the right way to cook spaghetti squash boats! This method will leave you with a juicy, tender, spaghetti-like experience every single time. Full of fiber and other nutritious value. 

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean

      November 27, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      Wow that cheese pull is soooo drool-worthy. Love this simple way to cook spaghetti squash and that topping is to die for!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 3:47 pm

        Thank you for your nice comment, Jean!

        Reply
    2. Deborah

      November 27, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, your pics are fantastic and step by step instructions really great too. Gonna send this to my sister who loves anything squash. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 3:49 pm

        Awww Thank you, Deborah. Very nice of you to share my recipe.

        Reply
    3. STACEY CRAWFORD

      November 27, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      These look absolutely delicious! drooling on my screen 🙂

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 3:57 pm

        Thank you, Stacey!

        Reply
    4. Catalina

      November 27, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! These squash boats look like a new favorite dinner in my house! I have to put these on my menu!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 3:59 pm

        Thank you! I hope you like it.

        Reply
    5. Marisa Franca

      November 27, 2018 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      I think that using the squash itself as a serving dish is pure genius. I’ve done that before with other squashes and including spaghetti squash. I like your trick of putting it in the microwave first and then finishing it off in the oven. I’ve got a recipe in mind already. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 4:01 pm

        I love it when ideas are bounced off one another. Thank you, Marisa! Also, the trick does work. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Cheese Curd In Paradise

      November 27, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      5 stars
      I have yet to cook spaghetti squash and this looks so good. I love the crust on top from the cheese. This would be perfect on a cold night.

      Reply
    7. Jyothi (Jo)

      November 27, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      oh my goodness heavens! that’s one delicious spaghetti squash boats I have ever seen. Your photography is amazing

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 4:07 pm

        Thank you very much!

        Reply
    8. Raia Todd

      November 27, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious way to use spaghetti squash!

      Reply
    9. Veena Azmanov

      November 27, 2018 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, this is my dinner when we make spaghetti. I love spaghetti squash more than I love pasta. Love the flavors you have in this recipe. Can’t wait to try.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 4:15 pm

        I love spaghetti squash too. Not to mention it is healthy and easy to make.

        Reply
    10. Stine Mari

      November 27, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes how easy is that! Hassle free handling indeed. And it looks absolutely scrumptious. Getting hungry just by looking at your photos!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 4:32 pm

        Thank you, Mari! Yes, very much hassle free.

        Reply
      • MDesir

        December 17, 2018 at 3:03 am

        Awww! Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Kelly Anthony

      November 27, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve made a lot of spaghetti squash but I’ve never microwaved it. Great idea. These spaghetti squash boats look so tasty and I can’t wait to try them.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 28, 2018 at 4:32 pm

        It makes handling the squash so much easier. Thank you, Kelly!

        Reply
    12. Renee D Kohley

      November 26, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! My girls love spaghetti squash prepped this way – who wouldn’t love all that melty cheese!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:53 am

        My kids love it too when I prepare it this way. We are cheese lovers in our family.

        Reply
    13. Amanda

      November 26, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, you had me at all that melted cheese. It looks so delicious and comforting. I’m a big spaghetti squash fan, so I’ll have to give this a whirl.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:54 am

        Thank you! it’s very delicious!

        Reply
    14. Karyl Henry

      November 26, 2018 at 11:07 pm

      5 stars
      I used to hate spaghetti squash, and then I tried it and really liked it. I’ve never made a spaghetti squash boat though, and this looks like such a great, comforting meal. I’m going to have to give this a try

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:55 am

        Good! I a glad you are deciding to give it a try. Enjoy!!!

        Reply
    15. Gloria

      November 26, 2018 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      Spaghetti squash is the most FUN squash of all. This sounds and looks delicious, and I love the presentation. The perfect way to serve a low carb dinner.

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:56 am

        Thank you Gloria! It is pretty fun to eat.

        Reply
    16. debi at Life Currents

      November 26, 2018 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      Spaghetti squash is something I’m still trying to get my husband to like. I think, with your recipe, I may have found a winner. Thanks!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:56 am

        Awww! that’s wonderful to hear. Thank you!

        Reply
    17. Bevyn Cassidy

      November 26, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! These look delicious. Thank you so much for making this recipe so easy to follow and with so many pictures – it is such a big help! I can’t wait to finally make delicious spaghetti squash boats for dinner!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:58 am

        I am very glad to hear that. Thank you for reading!

        Reply
    18. Dan Zehr

      November 26, 2018 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love love love this dish! Looks super delish. I think even my very picky oldest son might even like this dish! I can hope at least

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 2:59 am

        hahahah my picky eaters love it. Fingers crossed for you.

        Reply
    19. Mahy Elamin

      November 26, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe. Worked great! The boats looked elegant and tasted delicious. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 3:00 am

        Thank you, Mahy!

        Reply
    20. Claudia Lamascolo

      November 26, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      I have never tasted this kind of squash and very intrigued by it. My sons wife makes it she said stuffed but this is really up my alley the flavors here and all that cheese!

      Reply
      • MDesir

        November 27, 2018 at 3:01 am

        We love cheese as well in our home! Thank you for reading, Claudia!

        Reply
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