This Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash is one of the tastiest spaghetti squash recipes out there. And not only is it crazy good, but it's a great vegetarian side dish that's easy to make, and makes a beautiful presentation to boot.
Why This Spaghetti Squash Instant Pot Recipe Is Going To Change Your Life
- Fast. Done in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Just a few easy steps to have a delicious meal on the table everyone will love.
- Vegetarian. A recipe so delicious you won't even miss the meat.
- Low Carb. Only 12 net carbs per serving.
As someone who has lived a keto lifestyle for quite some time now, I can tell you that one of the hardest things to give up is pasta--but not any longer!
One of the best tasting low carb pasta options I've found is spaghetti squash. This Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash recipe has to be one of the best pasta substitute dishes I've ever had!
If you've never tried spaghetti squash before, prepare for a deliciously unique experience. It has a very neutral flavor to it. That makes it the perfect vessel for flavorful dishes like this Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash recipe.
I've always loved the flavor combination of garlic and parmesan, and this dish really accentuates their flavor profiles!
With the addition of the nutty flavor of the almonds, the earthiness of the spinach, and the slight heat from the red pepper, this is easily one of the best spaghetti squash recipes you'll find!
Now that you know how tasty this Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash recipe is, let's get into how simple this recipe is to make. Not only is it easy to prep the dish, but thanks to the Instant Pot the cooking of this recipe is quick and painless. No need to babysit a boiling pot, Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot.
Is Spaghetti Squash Healthy?
Spaghetti squash actually has many health and dietary benefits. One of the main benefits is how low carb it is in comparison to pasta. One cup of spaghetti squash yields only 7 grams of carbs, with 1.5 grams of that being dietary fiber. That means only 5.5g of net carbs per cup!
In contrast, regular spaghetti has a staggering 43 grams of carbs, with only 2.5 grams being dietary fiber. That's over 6 times the amount of carbs as spaghetti squash!
And just because you're not living a low carb lifestyle doesn't mean you can't enjoy the health benefits spaghetti squash as well. People of all dietary walks of life enjoy spaghetti squash as a healthy alternative to pasta! It's also low in calories, high in vitamin C and high dietary fiber.
Get over 100 pressure cooker recipes that are nutritious in my new Instant Pot Healthy Cookbook!
Should I Make Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash?
First, let me tell you WHY you should use your Instant Pot for making Spaghetti Squash. I find that the biggest problem I face with spaghetti squash is cutting through the really tough skin. I have come dangerously close to slicing my fingers off more than once.
When my hands are flared with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I also find it nearly impossible to slice through it.
The advantage of cooking spaghetti squash, or really any hard-skinned winter squash in a pressure cooker, is that you do not need to slice it before cooking. Yup. You read that right.
If you want complete instructions on how to cook the spaghetti squash, check out my Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe!
How Many Net Carbs Are In Spaghetti Squash?
Well, it depends on how much you eat. With the high fat and protein content, you should feel full with less than you would imagine.
One cup of spaghetti squash only has 5.5g of net carbs! Don't let the overall carb count intimidate you. It is packed with fiber, which brings the net carb count down to a totally acceptable low carb level.
How To Make Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
- Follow the directions above to cook your spaghetti squash.
- Empty out the Instant Pot and wipe it dry.
- Press Sauté. When the pot is hot, add oil. To the hot oil, add garlic, red pepper, and slivered almonds or pinenuts. Toast for 1 minute without letting the garlic burn. Add in the spinach and salt and stir. You can also do this in a skillet on the stovetop.
- Add in the spaghetti squash and mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tips And Tricks
- Don't skimp on flavorings. This recipe is all about the flavored oil and the cheese, so don’t skimp on either.
- Double up. I ask you to use half the squash in this recipe, but of course, you can always use all of it and double all the other ingredients.
- Tips and Tricks. See the notes above on how to make Spaghetti squash in your Instant Pot. It's got a lot of tips and tricks that will make this easier for you.
Variations
- Use pine nuts instead of almonds
- Add ½ cup of cranberries to the hot oil along with the garlic and red peppers
- Add roasted cherry tomatoes to the finished dish
- Use feta cheese instead of shredded parmesan.
- Add ¼ cup of chopped fresh basil along with the spaghetti squash.
- Add tomatoes or cranberries. You can also add cherry tomatoes or cranberries to this recipe for a little pop of color and taste.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes! It's hard for us to eat a whole squash before it goes bad, so we're practically pros at freezing them. Put the strands into a ziptop bag, and squash the bag flat. Not only does this make for easier stacking in the refrigerator, but it also helps the squash defrost more evenly than if you had a large hunk o' squash.
Spaghetti Squash FAQ's
As long as it is not discolored or soft in spots, your squash is still good.
As you see from this post, it is totally possible, and in fact, is a lot easier than trying to find a pot large enough for your stovetop.
Usually, this is about environmental stressors such as lack of water, drastic changes in temperatures, and sometimes soil content. There's not a lot a cook can do about that sadly.
That's one of the most commonly asked questions. Since spaghetti squash is so high in fiber, it makes it a delicious low carb option.
More Great Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes
- How to make Acorn Squash is a step by step tutorial to make it fun and easy.
- This easy Keto Tabouli recipe uses hemp hearts for a delicious, vegetarian keto side dish. Eat it as a salad, or use it as a savory fat bomb and enjoy a wonderful, fast salad.
- This Mascarpone Mushroom Pasta is definitely at the top of my list when it comes to choosing my favorite pasta dishes. It's just SO GOOD!
- Mushroom Mascarpone Pasta - One of the creamiest, tastiest pastas I've ever had.
- Instant Pot Greek Green Beans - A deliciously hearty vegetarian-friendly dish.
- Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash - a delicious side dish or main course.
- Butternut Squash Soup - The perfect autumn comfort food.
Pin It!
So the next time you get the craving for a spaghetti dish, save yourself the calories and carbs and make this delightful vegetarian Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash recipe! And make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!
Ingredients
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cloves Garlic, sliced thinly
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup slivered almonds, or other nuts of choice
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups water, for the Instant Pot
Instructions
- Using the tip of a sharp, short knife, pierce the spaghetti squash in 7-8 places.
- Put 1.5 cups of water into the Instant Pot. Place a steamer rack into the pot. Place the pierced spaghetti squash on the rack.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 7 minutes. At the end of the cooking time, allow the pot to rest undisturbed for 10 minutes.
- Remove the squash and cut it open lengthwise, so that you can have long spaghetti-like strands. Put away half for another use.
- Drag a fork along the squash to get long strands of spaghetti squash. Measure out 4 cups and set the rest aside for another use (like eating all the time at any excuse.) Save the squash shell since you will be serving your elegant creation in it.
- Empty out the Instant Pot and wipe dry.
- Press Sauté. When the pot is hot, add oil. To the hot oil, add garlic, red pepper, and slivered almonds or pine nuts. Toast for 1 minute without letting the garlic burn. Add in the spinach and salt and stir.
- Add in spaghetti squash.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese just before serving.
Watch The Video
Tips And Tricks For Making Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
- Don't skimp on flavorings. This recipe is all about the flavored oil and the cheese, so don’t skimp on either.
- Double up. I ask you to use half the squash in this recipe, but of course, you can always use all of it and double all the other ingredients.
- Tips and Tricks. See the notes above on how to make Spaghetti squash in your Instant Pot. It's got a lot of tips and tricks that will make this easier for you.
Variations On This Delicious Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Use pine nuts instead of almonds
- Add ½ cup of cranberries to the hot oil along with the garlic and red peppers
- Add roasted cherry tomatoes to the finished dish
- Use feta cheese instead of shredded parmesan.
- Add ¼ cup of chopped fresh basil along with the spaghetti squash.
- Add tomatoes or cranberries. You can also add cherry tomatoes or cranberries to this recipe for a little pop of color and taste.
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Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!
Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.
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Linda Alford
I love this recipe but my husband can't eat spinach. Is there something else you would recommend to replace it? I was wondering if broccoli flowerettes?
Anne Boggie
Loved this recipe. Next time I’m trying myzithra cheese and Swiss chard would be good