How To Make Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot

You can make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot by pressure cooking the whole squash with a cup of water for about 15 minutes.
 
It’s one of the easiest ways to cook this versatile vegetable, and the result is perfectly tender strands every single time.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot without wrestling with a sharp knife or waiting forever for your oven to heat up, you’re in the right place.
 
The Instant Pot method for making spaghetti squash takes a fraction of the time and effort compared to traditional oven roasting.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot, plus tips for serving and storing your perfectly cooked squash.
 
Let’s get cooking.
 

How to Make Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot

Making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot comes down to a few simple steps, and here’s how it all works:

1. Prepare the Squash

Start by rinsing your spaghetti squash under cool water and patting it dry.
 
You don’t need to cut it for this method, which is honestly the best part of making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot.
 
If your squash is too large to fit on the trivet, you can cut it in half crosswise.
 
Just be careful because raw spaghetti squash is notoriously tough to slice through.
 
Use a sharp chef’s knife and a steady hand, or pierce the whole squash a few times with a fork to let steam escape.
 

2. Add Water and the Trivet

Pour one cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
 
Place the metal trivet that came with your Instant Pot into the pot.
 
This keeps the spaghetti squash elevated above the water so it steams rather than boils.
 
If you’re making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot and don’t have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket instead.
 

3. Pressure Cook the Squash

Set your whole spaghetti squash on top of the trivet.
 
Secure the lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing.
 
Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the timer for 15 minutes on high pressure.
 
The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
 
If you’re cooking a very large spaghetti squash, add 3 to 5 extra minutes to be safe.
 

4. Natural Release and Shred

Once the cooking time finishes, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes.
 
Then carefully turn the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.
 
Open the lid and use tongs to transfer the spaghetti squash to a cutting board.
 
Let it cool for a few minutes so you can handle it comfortably.
 
Slice the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
 
Then use a fork to scrape the inside flesh into beautiful, spaghetti-like strands.
 
That’s really all there is to making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot.
 

Why Make Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot?

There are plenty of reasons to make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot instead of the oven:

1. It’s Much Faster

Roasting a spaghetti squash in the oven can take 40 to 60 minutes.
 
Making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot cuts that time down to about 25 minutes total, including the time it takes to come to pressure.
 
That’s a huge win on busy weeknights.
 

2. No Dangerous Cutting Required

If you’ve ever tried to cut a raw spaghetti squash in half, you know it’s a workout.
 
The Instant Pot lets you cook the whole squash without any risky knife work.
 
That alone makes learning how to make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot worth it.
 

3. Perfect Texture Every Time

The steam environment inside the Instant Pot keeps the squash moist and tender.
 
The strands separate easily and don’t turn mushy.
 
When you make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot, you get consistent results without babysitting the oven.
 

Tips for Making Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot

Keep these tips in mind when you make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot:

1. Don’t Skip the Trivet

The trivet keeps the spaghetti squash out of the water.
 
If the squash sits directly in water, it can get soggy and waterlogged.
 

2. Adjust Time for Size

Smaller squash need about 12 minutes, while larger ones may need up to 20 minutes.
 
When you make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot, a good rule of thumb is 15 minutes for a medium squash.
 

3. Drain Well After Cooking

After shredding, place the strands in a colander to drain excess moisture.
 
This keeps your final dish from getting watery.
 

4. Season After Cooking

Spaghetti squash has a mild flavor, so season it after cooking with salt, pepper, garlic, or your favorite sauce.
 
It works beautifully as a pasta substitute with marinara, pesto, or a drizzle of olive oil.
 

So, How Do You Make Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot?

You make spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot by adding water and a trivet, placing the whole squash inside, and pressure cooking it for about 15 minutes.
 
Then you let the pressure release naturally, slice it open, and shred the flesh into strands.
 
It’s fast, easy, and foolproof, which is why making spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot has become such a popular method.
 
Give it a try this week and you might never go back to the oven again.