topic Re: Instant Pot Speghetti Squash in Recipes

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

LizzieInSRQ — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:27:14 GMT

Hi I was hankering for Spaghetti Squash as I do not usually cook it but once or twice a year if that. I find them very hard to cut them open etc. since I broke my back and few years ago.

Well I was really craving it and found a method online for cooking on in my Instant Pot. Game changer for me as you don't even have to cut them in half! They do NOT explode, dont worry.

In a 6 quart Instant Pot:

pour in 1 cup of water.
Place the trivet in.
Place the medium Speghetti squash in. (EDITED TO ADD : the method i found online did NOT mention to poke/slice into the squash to avoid exploding. I did that but next time I wont. Ill let ya know. Ive stopped poking potatoes too as Ive personally have never heard of anyone having that happen ...we are all just used to doing that.)
Put the cover on. Make sure the pot is set to Seal ( my IP version does that automatically) .
Set for High pressure 18 minutes.
When it's done let it naturally pressure release for 10 minutes.if it's not done enough because of size, just put it back in and high pressure for 5-10 more minutes I am guessing.
Use trivet handles to lift out. I steady with a folded tea towel
Place on cutting board horizontally
Slice off each end (1/4 to 1/2 inch) , and then slice down the middle
Scoop out seeds.
Fork out the delicious shreds of squash and dress as you wish

Boom, Bob's your Uncle! This can be done with any hard squashes; butternut, kabocha, acorn etc.

Im so excited to learn this. I will never do it another way now if I can. Im going to be eating a lot more hard squash in my future. Enjoy.

Re: Instant Pot Speghetti Squash

spumoni99 — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:09:47 GMT

So you cook it whole? Do you poke it with a fork? Sorry if you mentioned that and I missed it.

Re: Instant Pot Speghetti Squash

LizzieInSRQ — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:21:38 GMT

@spumoni99 the method online did not say to. I did so I will go back and edit. It does not hurt to do so.

Re: Instant Pot Speghetti Squash

SilleeMee — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 23:09:25 GMT

I cook mine in a pressure cooker but first I cut the ends off and then place it in the pot to cook it.

Re: Instant Pot Speghetti Squash

LizzieInSRQ — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:35:25 GMT

@SilleeMee that is good to know as I know it cuts down on cooking time to cut them jn half or the ends before pressure cooking. Unfortunately with my back injury, i can't seem to cut into it raw. It worked without having to.cut at all before pressure cooking, I just have to cook 18 min instead of 7 or so.

Re: Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

wagirl — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:27:45 GMT

Love spaghetti squash!!! Another thing I cook all the time, is polenta. So easy and fast and turns out amazing every time. You use the pot-in-pot method in the pressure cooker. super easy too.

Re: Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

We rescue cats — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:42:37 GMT

Using a sharp paring knife I make slits in the whole squash, put it in the microwave for 10-15 minutes (depending on size), then remove nd cut it in half. Clean out seeds using a large serving spoon and you are set to do whatever you like with it. I often scrape it out of the skin onto a cooking sheet, dot with butter or olive oil, sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan and bake it for 10 ot 15 minutes at 300. Then do what I wish with it.....usually top with spaghetti sauce.