how long to cook spaghetti squash in the oven
You’ll roast spaghetti squash in the oven for about 30–60 minutes, depending on oven temperature and squash size.
How long to cook it
- At 400°F (204°C): 30–40 minutes for halved squash, cut side down, until the flesh is fork‑tender but still a bit firm.
- At 350°F (177°C): 40–55 minutes for halved squash, cut side down; larger squash will be closer to the higher end.
- Whole squash at 400–425°F (204–218°C): about 45–60 minutes, until a knife slides easily into the skin.
A good rule: start checking after 30 minutes, then every 5–10 minutes so it doesn’t get soggy.
Quick Scoop
Basic step‑by‑step
- Preheat oven to 400°F for slightly al dente strands (or 350°F if you want gentler roasting).
- Slice squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, drizzle with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place cut side down on a lined baking sheet.
- Roast:
- 30–40 min at 400°F, or
- 40–55 min at 350°F.
- When a fork goes in easily and strands pull away like spaghetti, it’s done.
If your squash is very large, add 5–15 extra minutes and test the thickest area.
Little real‑life tip
Some cooks soften the whole squash for 5–10 minutes in a 350°F oven or a few minutes in the microwave to make cutting easier before roasting. It’s a small step that saves a lot of arm effort.
TL;DR: For most medium spaghetti squash, roast halved, cut side down, at 400°F for 30–40 minutes or at 350°F for 40–55 minutes, until fork‑tender but not mushy.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
