Cooking a whole spaghetti squash in your slow cooker makes this versatile veggie super easy! This healthy crockpot vegetable recipe is perfect for busy days and a great way to get veggies on the table for dinner without breaking a sweat!
Someone recently asked me what may favorite healthy cooking kitchen hack was and the answer (now and always) was: “Slow cook all the things.” This is probably no surprise to you, but I make a lot of vegetable recipes in my slow cooker.
My slow cooker and I are pretty tight. We are in a serious relationship and my husband sometimes gets bit jealous. I mean, come on now…my crockpot does some serious work for me while I’m off enjoying other aspects of my life that are not kitchen or food related. And now, I have discovered just one more fabulous thing that my slow cooker or Instant Pot makes to perfection…spaghetti squash.
Seriously, whole spaghetti squash cooked in your slow cooker (or Instant Pot) comes out perfectly every single time.
No more breaking a sweat trying to split it open or needing all that elbow grease to scrape the seeds out before throwing it into an oven to roast…only to take it out at its designated time to discover that it is still. not. done.
Why making a whole spaghetti squash is your slow cooker is great
- It minimizes the time I have to hang out in the kitchen! I have started putting anything and everything I can dream up into my slow cooker. I have discovered you can slow cook amazing sweet potatoes and cook a whole dang chicken in that sucker! So then I tried a whole spaghetti squash and discovered that I probably will never roast another one again…
- Throwing a spaghetti squash into a slow cooker or Instant Pot couldn’t be more effortless. You do a minimal amount of prep, throw that spaghetti squash in and walk away. Your slow cooker or Instant Pot does all the hard work. That’s it. And then you get to move onto my favorite part….the eating.
- Spaghetti squash is a very versatile veggie that you can use in a ton of ways! I personally love spaghetti squash as a noodle replacement (though there are endless ways to use it). I enjoy throwing a quick stir-fry over a bowl of spaghetti squash “noodles”. Or keeping things simple with a little homemade pasta sauce and meatballs. Simple, healthy, homemade cooking can be super simple and quick. You just need a plan and good slow cooker or handy dandy Instant Pot by your side.
Can I cook spaghetti squash ahead of time?
Yes! I do it all the time and store it in an air-tight container or large storage bag in my fridge. It is great and making a whole squash in a slow cooker during meal prep is a great passive way to get veggies ready for the week without taking up a chunk of your weekend.
How long does Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash last in the fridge?
After you have cooked this whole spaghetti squash in your slow cooker, you can enjoy it immediately or save it for veggie-loaded future meals.
Be sure to let the squash cool completely and then place it in an air-tight container. Store the cooked squash in your fridge to enjoy for up to 4 days.
Important Note:
The slow cooker that I use holds 6-quarts, so it is quite sizable. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you will need to make sure to use a spaghetti squash that is on the smaller side.
What are some different ways to eat spaghetti squash?
Once your whole slow cooker spaghetti squash is done cooking, then you can enjoy it in lots of different ways. Such as….
- In place of pasta and topped with some homemade tomato sauce.
- In a casserole. I love this ranch chicken spaghetti squash casserole or this pizza spaghetti squash bake.
- In nuggets or meatballs. Try these chicken spaghetti squash nuggets and thank me later.
Other crockpot recipes you are going to adore
- Crockpot Butternut Squash
- Chickpea Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry
- Mexican Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
- Sweet Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker Turkey Taco Chili
- Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Are you amazed by this whole spaghetti squash in your slow cooker and now you’re hungry for more?
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Slow Cooker Whole Spaghetti Squash
Equipment
- slow cooker
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound spaghetti squash
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
For Crockpot
- Rinse squash and place in slow cooker. Jab with a sharp knife about 15 times around the entire squash.
- Pour water around it. Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 hours or on high for 3 1/2 hours.
- Using two forks (or whatever method you feel most comfortable with), remove the squash from slow cooker. Be careful! It will be very hot!
- Cut the ends off and then cut the squash in half lengthwise.
- Using a large spoon, scoop the seeds out of the squash and discard.
- Use a fork to scrape the noodle-like strands from the shell of the squash. Once you have removed all the “noodles”, discard the shell of the squash.
- Enjoy immediately. Leftovers will keep in fridge for up to 4 days.
For Instant Pot
- Pour water into your Instant Pot and place the wire rack inside.
- Rinse your squash and cut it in half crosswide (lengthwise might make it difficult to fit in your IP) with a sharp knife. Scoop out seeds and discard.
- Place the cut and cleaned out squash on wire rack cut-side up.
- Close the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the vent is turned to sealed.
- Manually cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once the squash is done cooking, manually quick release the pressure by moving the valve to vent. Step back! The spray of steam surprises me every time…even when I know its coming.
- Carefully remove spaghetti squash (use tongs or oven mitts since the squash will be VERY HOT).
- Use a fork to to scrape the noodle-like strands from the shell of the squash. Once you have removed all the “noodles”, discard the shell of the squash.
- Enjoy immediately. Leftovers will keep in fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!
Comments
I just pulled my spaghetti squash out of my slow cooker & !!!!!! I’m in LOVE! Never using the oven again! It came out perfect. I always loved spaghetti squash, but only cooked them when I felt like the battle. I’m going to need a stock pile now, because i’m going to make every recipe I have! Thanks you soooo much for this ♡
Whoops, sorry about the typo! Too excited! lol
Can I cut it before I cook it? My lid doesn’t close all the way.
Yes! That should be fine!
I am so excited to try this!! And your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for the directions! (I too am in a relationship with my slow cooker that my husband has jealousy over. 🙂 )