How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Crockpot

Name: How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Crockpot
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 whole spaghetti squash; 1 cup water; salt and pepper to taste

By: Jodi / Published on February 8, 2017 Updated on March 10, 2023 / 33 Comments

Learn how to cook spaghetti squash in the crockpot for a hassle-free way to cook spaghetti squash. With minimal prep work and a few hours of slow cooking, you'll have a healthy and delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. Gluten-free, dairy-free.

Total Time 35 minutes

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Learn how to cook spaghetti squash in the crockpot for a hassle-free way to cook spaghetti squash. With minimal prep work and a few hours of slow cooking, you’ll have a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

The crockpot helps to soften the squash and infuse it with flavor, making it a tasty alternative to traditional pasta. So if you’re ready to give your crockpot a new purpose, let’s get started!

For more ways to cook spaghetti squash, be sure to check out Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash and Grilled Spaghetti Squash.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash has been making a big comeback in the last few years due to the low-carb craze.

The stringy insides make for a great pasta substitution. But that is not the only reason to enjoy spaghetti squash.

It is a fun vegetable the kids will love. Spaghetti squash is an oblong yellow winter squash. Once cooked, the flesh is scraped out with a fork into long thin strands that resemble spaghetti noodles. The taste is not as sweet as other winter squash.

Let’s look at the nutritional difference between pasta and spaghetti squash.

There are about 220 calories and 43 grams of carbohydrates in 1 cup of pasta, while 1 cup spaghetti squash has only 31 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrate. Spaghetti squash is also packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants, dietary fiber, and potassium.

Squash is actually classified as a fruit. According to botanists (those who study plants), a fruit is the part of the plant that develops from a flower and contains the seeds. Stems, leaves, and roots of plants are considered vegetables. Many parts of the squash can be eaten, including the seeds and blossoms. You can even eat the shoots, leaves, and tendrils as greens – will we be seeing this on a menu soon?

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Equipment

slow cooker

Ingredients

1 whole spaghetti squash
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

top down view of whole spaghetti squash in slow cooker

finger pressing on cooked spaghetti squash

How To Make

Cooking spaghetti squash in the slow cooker doesn’t get any easier.

Prepare the squash

Rinse the squash then poke holes with a fork and place the squash in the base of the crockpot

Add water and cover

Pour in the water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 1-2 hours.

Serve

Once cooled enough to touch, remove the squash from the crockpot and carefully slice in half. Scoop seeds from squash and remove the flesh with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

Serving Suggestions

Cooking spaghetti squash in crock pot not only makes a delicious addition to any meal but it gets more vegetables into your family. This crockpot squash recipe is ideal whenever the oven is occupied, a lazy recipe is desired or other cooking methods seem intimidating.

Best of all, this squash can be served as a side dish or easily incorporated into your favorite recipe. Below you will find ways to use spaghetti squash plus family favorite entrees to pair alongside.

fork scraping spaghetti squash from skin

Storing Crockpot Spaghetti Squash

In the fridge: store leftover cooked squash in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. Reheat as desired or turn into a thermos meal for the kids.

In the freezer: let the squash completely cool after cooking. Then, pack in an air-tight container or Ziplock bag before freezing for up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through. Enjoy as a side dish or incorporate leftovers into a recipe.

Substitutions & Variations

Top with marinara sauce, butter, grated parmesan or feta cheese.
Swap spaghetti squash for pasta in Ground Chicken Pasta, Instant Pot Spaghetti and Frozen Meatballs, and Easy Swedish Meatballs with Frozen Meatballs.
Not sure if your family likes spaghetti squash? Mix a few bites in a bowl with gluten-free pasta then serve it with spaghetti sauce on the top.
Mix this spaghetti squash recipe with Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce, Gluten Free Pasta Sauce or sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Pair with cinnamon and brown sugar in a sauté pan to caramelize and serve sweet.
Toss with Gluten Free Stir Fry Sauce then mix with chicken, pork, or beef and your favorite vegetable combo.

How to Roast Spaghetti Squash in the Oven

If you prefer to simply cook your squash in the oven you can easily do that as well.

Start by washing the squash. Slice the stem off the squash with a sharp knife then carefully slice the squash in half and scrape the seeds out.
Season with salt and pepper then place the squash cut side down in a large baking pan.
Pour enough water into the pan to just cover the bottom of the squash.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.
Once cooled enough to touch, scrape the insides from the squash with a fork. It will be stringy and come apart easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook spaghetti squash in crock pot?

Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 1-2 hours then gently press a finger into the top of the squash. If it dents easily then the squash is cooked.

Can you overcook vegetables in a slow cooker?

No. Slow cooking is a hands off approach to cooking vegetables. They hold up to hours of slow cooking so there is no need to worry about overcooking the squash.

Do I have to add water to the slow cooker?

Yes. When cooking a whole spaghetti squash we recommend not skipping this step. It helps create steam while cooking.

How long does spaghetti squash last for?

A whole spaghetti squash will last up to 3 months when stored in a cool dark place. Cooked squash lasts up to 3 days when stored in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.

How to select a spaghetti squash?

First things first, look for a medium size (~3lb) squash as anything larger may not fit in the crockpot. Next, check the squash is free from bruises, blemishes, and cracks. You’re aiming to select a dry, firm, and deep yellow-colored squash that feels heavy for its size.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Wash the spaghetti squash in the sink before placing in the crockpot making sure to wash off any dirt.
Save the seeds from the squash. You can rinse, dry and place on a baking sheet to roast at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until lightly brown.
Pack leftover spaghetti squash in a thermos for school lunch or reheat after school as a snack.

More Squash Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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