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Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash (cooked whole) | Food Under Pressure

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Spaghetti Squash


Spaghetti Squash is great! Especially as a low carb alternative to pasta.

However, Spaghetti Squash is normally a pain in the neck to cook.

You have to cut it in half, which in itself is intimidating enough for some – who could blame them? You risk fingers cutting hard, raw gourds like hard squash and pumpkins. Seriously.

It takes forever to cook. In the oven, after cutting in half and cleaning, Spaghetti Squash takes like an hour. Who has that kind of time?

In the microwave, it doesn’t come out very good in my opinion, and it still takes almost half an hour. Plus, do you even have a microwave big enough to fit 2 halves of squash? Not everyone does…

Well – I’ve said it time and time again, I LOVE my INSTANT POT! I love it anyways, but I fall in love even more when it makes things like intimidating Spaghetti Squash a freaking BREEZE to make. And, it comes out PERFECT!

I cook it WHOLE – yep, you read correctly – WHOLE! It takes zero effort. When it’s done, its so simple to peel and clean, you’re ready to eat it in NO TIME!

Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
1 medium to large Spaghetti Squash, left whole
1 1/2 cups water
Tools
Instant Pot, or other pressure cooker
Cooking Rack
Instant Pot Silicone Mitts
Grapefruit spoon, or other spoon
Sharp Knife
Directions
 
Plug in Instant Pot (IP). Pour water in bottom of IP insert. Place cooking rack over water.
Place spaghetti squash, whole, on rack. Do not pierce or poke holes.
Close lid. Turn Vent Knob to “Sealing”.
Press “Manual” (high pressure on other pressure cookers). Adjust cook time to 18-22 minutes.
*why the cook time range? 18 minutes if you like your spaghetti squash “al dente”. 20 if you like it cooked through. 22 if you like it really soft. I cook mine 18 minutes, because I like that al dente bite!
 
Once IP comes to pressure, cook time countdown will begin. When cook time is complete, IP will beep. Quickly release pressure (QPR) by turning vent knob to “Venting”. I ALWAYS place a towel over vent knob before venting.
 
Open lid. You should be able to easily poke a hole in your spaghetti squash using a fork.
Carefully remove squash. Yesssss… it will be HOT! Try using the Instant Pot Silicone Mitts!
Place on cutting board and carefully cut in half. It will be EASY to cut! Hooray!
Now to get those seeds out… I use a grapefruit spoon. Never heard of ‘em? You need one or 2, trust me! It’s a regular size spoon, but its serrated! Genius, I tell ya! Perfect for grapefruit, and things like this! Get em here.
Discard seeds, no worries if you get a little squash with it.
Turn each half over and easily peel the skin (be careful… its probably still HOT!).
Now, just grab a fork or 2, and pull your squash “spaghetti” apart – its sorta like shredding super tender pork! But obviously way healthier ?
Serve with spaghetti sauce, use it in a casserole or frittata, eat it with salt & pepper, maybe some olive oil or butter. YUM!
 
Spaghetti Squash (cooked whole!)
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Food Under Pressure

Instant Pot Butternut Squash | Food Under Pressure

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash in 15 minutes!

I love butternut squash, especially when it’s easy. What I don’t love is having to cut it in half while raw (hard as hell, literally) so I can scoop the seeds out, attempt to peel it’s awkward shape, cut it into strips or cubes so I can bake it quicker than the hour it takes whole in an oven that in turn, heats my house!

I digress – I love butternut squash and I love how fast [15 minutes total!] and easy my Instant Pot (IP) makes it to cook!

Easy Butternut Squash

 
1 large or 2 small butternut squash
1 cup liquid, I use water
IP Rack
Set IP rack over liquid in bottom of IP. Carefully poke 3-4 holes in Butternut Squash using fork or tip of knife (key word, carefully), then place on rack. Close IP lid. Turn Vent knob to “Sealing”.
Press “Manual” button, then adjust cook time using “+/-“ button to 15 minutes.
IP will pressurize (about 3-5 minutes), then cook time will begin and countdown will display.
When cook time is complete, IP will beep.
Place a hand towel over vent on lid, and turn to “Venting” to quickly allow remaining pressure to release QPR).
Remove lid, and carefully transfer cooked squash to a plate.
Cut in half lengthwise, and easily scoop out seeds.
Scoop perfectly cooked butternut squash out of ‘shell’, and ENJOY.
butternut squash
Simply ENJOY as is, or use it to make soup, ravioli, in oatmeal [substitute for pumpkin in my Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal], pancakes or even pie! So versatile!
 

Want to learn more about all those buttons on your Instant Pot? Check out our guide: Instant Pot Buttons – Which Button do I use? 

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Check out all of our Favorite Instant Pot Accessories!