How To Reheat Spaghetti Squash – The Best Way
Spaghetti squash is the answer to still enjoying pasta on a low-carb and gluten-free diet. Squash manages to replicate spaghetti really well, with the orange flesh coming out in long strings, much like spaghetti.
Spaghetti squash can be paired with so many different sauces and toppings, and with its additional vitamins, it is perfect to add into your diet.
However, making spaghetti squash from scratch can take some time, so freezing it helps you have a good supply on hand for a quicker meal, but what is the best way to reheat it?
How do you reheat spaghetti squash? There are a good few options to choose from when it comes to reheating spaghetti squash. You can choose the quick option of the microwave, the fail-proof option of the stovetop, the efficient method of the steamer, or for crispier noodles, you could use a skillet.
Be sure to store the spaghetti squash in the right conditions, to ensure that it remains its great quality and taste for when you are ready for your next squash meal!
The Best Way to Reheat Spaghetti Squash
Surprise, surprise—my favorite way is reheating spaghetti squash in on the stovetop! Who would’ve guessed?
Many of you might already know that I prefer using the stovetop for most dishes when it comes to reheating. You just can’t beat the way the oven can evenly heat any type of food without compromising taste or texture.
Reheating Spaghetti Squash On The Stove
You also do not need to completely thaw the spaghetti squash before reheating it on the stovetop.
Place some water into a saucepan and lightly salt it. Allow the water to come to a boil and add in the spaghetti squash. Turn the heat down onto low and leave the spaghetti squash to simmer in the boiling water for up to 7 minutes, until it is completely heated through.
Pros of using the stovetop – When using the stovetop to reheat spaghetti squash, you do not have to worry about the squash drying out as it will be reheated in boiled water. You are also able to reheat the squash from frozen, saving you some time defrosting it beforehand.
Cons of using the stovetop – The stovetop will take longer to reheat the meal than the microwave. You need to wait for the water to boil first and then adding in the squash for another few minutes. Overcooking the squash could turn it mushed and soggy, which is not what you would want to achieve.
Reheating Spaghetti Squash In The Microwave
If frozen, allow the spaghetti squash to partially thaw in the refrigerator, or simply remove the chilled squash from the fridge.
Place the spaghetti squash into a microwavable dish, and drizzle in a small amount of olive oil, along with some seasoning. Mix it together gently and put the dish into the microwave.
Cover the dish partially with a lid or paper towel, and leave it to cook on medium power for 45 seconds. Remove from the microwave, stir it around and check the heat, if needed, place it back into the microwave for another 30 seconds.
Pros of using the microwave – It is undeniable that the microwave is the quickest method to reheat spaghetti squash, and it can be reheated from partially frozen as well. In under a minute, you will have a hot bowl of fresh-tasting spaghetti squash.
Cons of using the microwave – If you are not careful and do not add some olive oil to the squash, and if you do not partially cover it, the spaghetti squash might dry out and become hard. Set on too high, the microwave might burn the spaghetti squash.
Reheating Spaghetti Squash In A Steamer
When reheating spaghetti squash in the steamer, you will need to allow it to thaw in the fridge first. Once thawed, take the spaghetti squash and place the strands into the steamer.
Allow the squash to steam for 5 minutes until the strands are cooked through and warmed completely. Once reheated, serve immediately.
Pros of using a steamer – The steamer offers a gentle way to reheat the spaghetti squash, without any chance of them becoming burned or dry. While you are not able to reheat an abundance of spaghetti squash at once, a larger steamer can warm a good portion of spaghetti squash in one go to enjoy.
Cons of using a steamer – Like a stovetop, the steamer method does take a while longer than the microwave. You will need to wait for the steamer to heat up, and then more time for the squash to heat through. If left in the steamer for too long, the spaghetti squash might also become too soft and mushy from over-steaming.
Reheating Spaghetti Squash On A Skillet
You will need to thaw the spaghetti squash first before using a skillet to reheat it. Once thawed, place the squash on a plate and pat it as dry as possible, the more moisture you can remove, the better.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add in a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the olive oil has heated, add in the spaghetti squash and spread it around to form a thin layer in the pan. Season with salt and pepper and let it cook until golden brown and crisp.
This will not give you the usual, soft noodles, but instead changes it up a bit to give you a plate of crispy, tasty noodles.
Pros of using a skillet – Using a skillet allows you to crisp up the noodles, giving them a different texture than what you would get reheating them in the microwave, stovetop or steamer. It does not take too long to do it either.
Cons of using a skillet – The obvious con of using a skillet, which is slightly debatable, is that you won’t be able to achieve soft noodles. However, you will not be using this method if you wanted soft noodles, and only if you want some crispy strands.
Is Reheated Spaghetti Squash As Good As Freshly Cooked Squash?
This question is more relevant to when you are freezing spaghetti squash but also does slightly speak for squash that has been left in the fridge.
Fresh spaghetti squash will always be better than that which has been frozen or refrigerated, however, this in no way means that you shouldn’t keep it for later.
Being a seasonal vegetable, spaghetti squash can be difficult to find out of season, so if it is a favorite of yours, it is a good idea to stock up on some in the freezer.
While reheated spaghetti squash might not be as wonderful as fresh, it does still hold up well and keep most of its great texture and taste.
You will lose some flavor and texture through the freezing and thawing process, but not much, and added in with some delicious ingredients or sauces, you will barely be able to notice the difference.
Freezing Spaghetti Squash
Freezing spaghetti squash is the best way to keep it ‘fresh’ for longer. You should partially cook the spaghetti squash before freezing and allow it to sit in the fridge, placed in a colander, for a few hours before freezing.
This helps to remove as much excess moisture from the squash as possible and chills the squash down to avoid moisture in the freezer container.
Once chilled, the spaghetti squash can be placed into a freezer bag, sealed tightly with as much air removed as possible. Label the bag with the date of freezing.
You could also choose to separate the strands into smaller portion sizes, and place these into individual freezer bags, to have access to single servings without having to defrost the whole lot.
Kept in the freezer with the right storage conditions, spaghetti squash can retain good quality and texture for up to 8 months. It will be fine to eat after this period, but the taste and texture will deteriorate.
Related Questions
Does freezing spaghetti squash affects its nutritional value?
Luckily, no. Freezing spaghetti squash does not affect the nutritional value that it holds, so you can still enjoy it at a later stage with all the health benefits you enjoy.
Freezing slows down the deterioration of the vegetable’s nutritional value, so it is all preserved for longer, along with all the great nutrients.
How long can spaghetti squash be kept in the fridge?
Do not throw away leftover spaghetti squash from dinner.
Kept in an airtight container, cooked spaghetti squash can be kept into the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Uncooked spaghetti squash can remain in the fridge for 2 to 4 days.
Can you overcook spaghetti squash?
Yes, it is possible to overcook spaghetti squash. Even a few minutes too long can cause the spaghetti squash to turn mushy, which would completely ruin the dish. For the best results, constantly check the spaghetti squash until it is ready.
If you are cooking it to enjoy at a later stage, cook it till it is al dente, so it can be reheated to perfection for a meal later on.
