Skip to main content

Summertime Spaghetti Squash

Cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave steams the squash and the strands come out nicely—unlike cooking it in a conventional oven, which can cause the strands to bake to the skin. A simple quick fresh pesto is a snappy sauce for the steamed squash.

Cooks' Note

Dried Zante currants that have been soaked in red wine are a nice addition to this dish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1 (3- to 3 1/2-pound) spaghetti squash
1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prick the squash in 3 or 4 places with a fork, put it on a plate, and loosely cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave at full power for 9 minutes. Let the squash stand, still covered, for another 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, make the pesto. Put the basil, cheese, oil, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor and pulse until well combined.

    Step 3

    Halve the squash and scrape out the seeds. Using a fork, scoop the pulp into a large bowl. Add pesto to taste and toss to combine.

A Southerly Course
Read More
We’ve got baked cheddar and leek pasta, maple-mustard sheet-pan salmon, and a strawberry shortcake roll.
You don’t need melted chocolate to make a good brownie
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Thinly sliced and cooked hot and fast, pork tenderloin is the juicy, cook-quicking weeknight champion of this vegetable-heavy stir-fry.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.