Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (2024)

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Hello there! I hope you enjoy this recipe for Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash!

It’s comes together quickly and easily, uses healthy spaghetti squash (you’ll see a bunch in store as they are coming into season soon – around early fall to winter), and features common pantry staples as well as a few choice ingredients that are big on flavour!

How to make this Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe?

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (1)

Place a halved and seeded spaghetti squash cut side up on a metal trivet in the Instant Pot. Fill the bottom of the pot with a cup of water. Ingredient amounts and full instructions in the recipe card below.

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (2)

Seal and cook the squash for 7 minutes at high pressure before applying a quick release.

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (3)

As the spaghetti squash cooks, prepare the remaining ingredients.

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After the spaghetti squash is ready, use a fork to remove the flesh from the squash. If it’s too hot, let it cool a little before doing this step.

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Melt the butter in olive oil and sauté the garlic and spices before adding back in the spaghetti squash.

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Mix in the parmesan cheese and parsley until the cheese is melted. Enjoy!

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What’s in this Instant Pot recipe?

The star ingredient in this recipe is spaghetti squash, which is a winter squash with a hard, pale yellow skin and yellow flesh with a mild, slightly sweet, nutty taste.

Cooking spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot is so easy and quick – way faster than an oven.

Simply place halved and seeded spaghetti squash on the trivet with some water on the bottom of pot and pressure cook for only 7 minutes (depending how soft you like your spaghetti squash) before a quick release.

Yep, there is a little time for pressurizing, but not as long as it takes to heat up the oven and cook it in there.

Then you use a fork to easily pull at the yellow flesh to get the thin spaghetti-like strands. No spiralizer required.

It’s a delicious alternative to spaghetti; although it doesn’t have the same texture or flavour, the shape (long strands) is close enough.

It’s also healthier. Spaghetti squash is low in calories and a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium.

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Olive oil, butter, fresh minced garlic, freshly cracked black pepper, sea salt, and red pepper flakes (this ingredient is optional) are combined together to form a delicious, simple sauce that’s rich, pungent (from the garlic), salty, and a little spicy from the black pepper, but even more so from the red pepper flakes if you chose to add them.

Sharp, nutty, salty, and slightly fruity in flavour, Parmesan cheese (I highly recommend using Parmigiano Reggiano; it’s the best!) along with fresh chopped parsley is tossed into the cooked spaghetti squash and garlicky butter sauce, until melted and distributed throughout.

Important TIP: Use parmesan from a block to ensure that it melts properly. Often, pre-grated/shredded cheeses have an anti-caking ingredient (or stabilizer) added, which can affect how it melts. In particular, cheese clumps tend to form when added to hot foods.

Place it back into the hollowed spaghetti squash skins or in a bowl or plate and you’ve got a scrumptious meal in less than 30 minutes!

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (9)

Looking for more easy Instant Pot Meal Ideas? Take a look at these ones:

  • Mushroom Pasta with Creamy Cheese Sauce
  • Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy
  • Lemon Pepper Orzo and Chicken Thighs
Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (10)

This tasty spaghetti squash recipe is:

  • Delicious: full of garlicky and cheesy flavour!
  • A great meal for two.
  • A great pasta substitute: making this meal a little bit healthier too (i.e. way less carbs!).
  • Simple and easy to make: Everything is made in the Instant Pot.
  • Made with minimal ingredients that are pantry staples (e.g. salt, pepper, and oil) or easily found in most supermarkets.
  • Perfect to have as an easy weeknight meal.

I hope you try this recipe! If you do, please leave me a rating and comment down below or tag me on any of my social media. I’m @yay_for_food on Instagram. I’ll love a picture!

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (11)

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

The classic combination of garlic and parmesan create the perfect sauce for this quick and easy Instant Pot spaghetti squash recipe. A lower carb alternative to pasta that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. spaghetti squash, cut lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp (1 oz) unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (depending on how garlicky you like it)
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano), finely grated *(see first note)
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pour water into the Instant Pot and then place the metal trivet (handles side up) into the pot.
  2. Place the spaghetti squash halves cut side up on top of the trivet. Seal the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure (“manual"/"pressure cook" function) for 7 minutes (for a tender texture)** before applying a quick pressure release to completely depressurize (until floating valve drops).
  3. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the Instant Pot. Place on a clean flat surface and shred the squash using a fork to remove the spaghetti-like strands into a bowl (if it is too hot, let it cool a little first).
  4. Empty the water out of the Instant Pot and wipe dry before returning the pot back to the device. Set the Instant Pot to “sauté.”
  5. Place the butter and olive oil into the Instant Pot and let the butter completely melt. Then stir in the garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is lightly browned (careful to not burn it).
  6. Press “cancel” to turn off the Instant Pot. Return the spaghetti squash to the Instant Pot along with the parmesan cheese and parsley. Toss together to evenly coat the spaghetti squash with everything. Best served immediately.

Notes

  • *Use cheese from a block to ensure that it melts properly. Often, pre-grated/shredded cheeses have an anti-caking ingredient (or stabilizer) added, which can affect how it melts. In particular, cheese clumps tend to form when added to hot foods.
  • ** If you prefer an al dente texture, decrease the pressure time to 5-6 minutes.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 403Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 609mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 7gSugar: 12gProtein: 11g

Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash (2024)

FAQs

Is spaghetti squash really healthy for you? ›

Spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it may aid weight loss and digestive health. Try roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb alternative to pasta, combined with veggies, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

How do you keep spaghetti squash from getting soggy? ›

Give the slices a touch of salt, but not too much! Adding too much salt can cause the squash to get too watery as it cooks. And then you'll be left with mushy strands.

Why is my cooked spaghetti squash crunchy? ›

When it hasn't been cooked long enough, the flesh won't release like noodles, causing them to be crunchy and unpleasant. To check the doneness of spaghetti squash, pierce the squash with a fork. If the flesh flakes off like spaghetti noodles, give it a taste to make sure the texture is soft and isn't overly crunchy.

How do you keep spaghetti from burning in the Instant Pot? ›

How to Prevent a Burn Notice in the Future
  1. Scrape before you seal: Scrape up all the browned bits left in the pot after sautéing food and before closing the lid.
  2. Double-check your parts before you close up the pot for cooking. ...
  3. Make sure that you're using enough liquid.
Apr 15, 2022

Why did my spaghetti sauce burn in Instant Pot? ›

Lai says the most common cause for a burn notification is not adding enough liquid to the pot or using thick ingredients like a thick tomato sauce. "If you sauté prior to pressure cooking and you do not properly deglaze the bottom of the pot, food stuck to the bottom can cause the burn notification," says Lai.

What are the downsides of spaghetti squash? ›

Does the spaghetti squash have any downsides? According to Czerwony, the only real downside of the spaghetti squash is if you have an allergy. “Unless you have an allergy, it's high in fiber and essential vitamins while being low in calories and carbs,” she says.

Which is healthier, zucchini or spaghetti squash? ›

A look into essential Vitamins & Minerals, shows that Zucchini Pasta outdoes Spaghetti Squash on every one, except for Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Selenium. Information found from SELF's Nutrition Data calculator.

Is spaghetti squash a bad carb? ›

Since one cup of spaghetti squash contains 8 net carbohydrates (that is, 10 grams of total carbs minus 2 grams of fiber), it can be considered a low-carb or keto food.

Do you have to cut spaghetti squash in half before cooking it? ›

You need to cut your spaghetti squash in half before cooking it. Don't let spaghetti squash's hard shell scare you! I've got the trick for cutting spaghetti squash safely (watch our video to see me do it).

Why is my spaghetti squash mushy and not stringy? ›

Too much salt may draw out more moisture than you want, and excess olive oil can make baked spaghetti squash soggy. Don't Add Water. While some recipes may call for a little water in the pan with the squash, I found that it roasts perfectly without it.

Why does spaghetti squash make me so full? ›

Spaghetti squash is a low-calorie food. Its fiber content makes it filling. Since people use it as a substitute for high-calorie foods, it can be a valuable part of a weight-control regimen.

How do you get the crunch out of spaghetti squash? ›

You can also taste it right now — if the noodles are still a bit crunchy for your taste, put the squash back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes more. Scrape out the squash.

How to tell if spaghetti squash is undercooked? ›

Place the squash halves cut-side-down on the pan, then roast in the oven at 400ºF until tender. about 45 to 60 minutes. You can tell the squash is done when the shell gives easily when pressed with the back of a fork, or you can check to see if the shell is easily pierced by the tines of the fork.

Can you undercook spaghetti squash? ›

It should be easy to rake the strands, and they should feel tender but not overly soft. Undercooking spaghetti squash is just as common as overcooking it. If it's undercooked, the texture will be too al dente, and the strands will stick to the flesh of the squash.

How does Rachael Ray cook spaghetti squash? ›

Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and cover a baking sheet with foil. Split the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Season the squash with salt and pepper and place, cut-side down, on the baking sheet. Roast the squash until very tender, 45 to 60 minutes.

Can you cook spaghetti squash without cutting it in half? ›

Recipe Tip
  1. Option 1: Roast the squash whole. Prick it all over with a fork and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until it's soft enough to slice in two.
  2. Option 2: Microwave the squash. Prick it all over with a fork and microwave in 1-minute bursts until it's soft enough to cut.

Can spaghetti squash be grown in a pot? ›

Squash can be grown successfully in containers & pots if cared for properly and given the ideal growing requirements. You can find both space-saving bush varieties and vigorous climbers which can grow in a vertical vegetable garden on trellises or allowed to spill over their pots.

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