Food Friday

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

I love Spaghetti Squash, but for some reason I don’t like to cook it in the oven. Maybe it is because when I decide to cook the squash, I feel like it takes forever in the oven. Also, how big of a pain is trying to cut a whole Spaghetti Squash in half? I want to share my secret of how I cook Spaghetti Squash. This version helps me to cook it more often for dinner.

Spaghetti Squash in the Slow Cooker

1 whole Spaghetti Squash
3/4 cup water

Wash off the squash. Poke with a knife or fork several times around the squash, then place in the slow cooker. Dump the water in. Set cooker to low and cook for about 8 hours or high for about 5-6 hours. To check to see if it’s cooked all the way grab a knife or fork and poke the squash, it should be very easy to poke into. Every Slow cooker cooks differently, keep an eye out and check before the full time is up.

To get the squash out I put an oven mitt on one hand and use a serving spoon. I place it right on a cutting board and let it sit for about 5 minutes before I cut it.

I think the squash is yummy to eat with a little butter and salt and pepper.

Butter Salt & Pepper Spaghetti Squash

After cutting the squash in half the long way I use a fork to to separate the squash “noodles”. I place thin slices of butter, equals about 1 1\2 tbsp on each half, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. I then place it under a broiler until butter is melted and the squash is a little toasted. Keep an eye on it. It can burn easy in the broiler.

Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

1 whole cooked Spaghetti Squash
1 1/2 cups of reduced fat Alfredo sauce ( homemade or bottled)
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Pepper
Crushed red pepper (optional)

After I cut the squash in half the long way and use a fork to separate the squash “noodles” I mix about 3/4 cup of Alfredo sauce into each half. Next sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese over both halves, then sprinkle with pepper and if you like a little heat sprinkle with crushed red pepper. Place under the broiler until top is golden brown, around 4- 6 minutes (could take longer or shorter) Be sure to keep an eye on the squash, it is easy to burn I the broiler.