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Everyone’s favorite squash has a trick for cutting it that results in the longest “noodles”. Here’s how to cut spaghetti squash!

Video: How to cut spaghetti squash

Wondering how to cut spaghetti squash: the best way? Yes, the standard might be to hack at it with a large chef’s knife. But here at A Couple Cooks, Alex and I are all about finding the right way to cut things. This way to cut everyone’s favorite squash is safer and results in the longest, most luxurious spaghetti squash “noodles”. We use it all the time in our recipes like Pesto Spaghetti Squash or Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai. Here’s our step by step guide for cutting spaghetti squash, with a video of Alex showing you how it’s done (above).

Related: 20 Knife Skills Videos: How to Cut Everything!

How to cut spaghetti squash step by step

Step 1

How to cut spaghetti squash: Use a small sharp knife
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Find a small sharp paring knife. (It might seem odd that a small knife could cut a large spaghetti squash. But this is the safest method because it helps to prevent slippage that happens with a large knife.)

Step 2

How to cut spaghetti squash: use a small sharp pairing knife to cut width-wise

Cut the spaghetti squash around the middle width-wise (not lengthwise!). To cut it, pierce the knife into the squash and swing down, making small slices around the squash. Cutting it this way makes the longest strands or “noodles”.

Step 3

How to cut spaghetti squash: Snap it open

Using your hands, snap the squash open.

Step 4

How to Cut a Spaghetti Squash: Cut around the seeds

Cut around the seeds with the knife.

Step 5

How to cut a spaghetti squash: Scoop out the seeds with a spoon

Scoop out the seed with a spoon.

Best chef knife & cutting boards

Alex and I are often asked about the best kitchen tools. And every time we answer, “A good sharp chef’s knife!” A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years (we’ve had our chef knives for 10 plus years). Here are some of the knives we recommend, as well as cutting boards and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

Video: Knife Skills, Gear, & How to Hold a Knife!

Looking for spaghetti squash recipes?

Now that you know how to cut spaghetti squash, here are some of our favorite spaghetti squash recipes for you to try:

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How to Cut Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash
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Everyone’s favorite squash has a trick for cutting it that results in the longest “noodles”. Here’s how to cut spaghetti squash!

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings when roasted 1x
  • Category: Knife Skills
  • Method: Cutting
  • Cuisine: N/A

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 spaghetti squash

Instructions

  1. Find a small sharp paring knife. (It might seem odd that a small knife could cut this large squash. But this is the safest method because it helps to prevent slippage that happens with a large knife.)
  2. Cut around the middle width-wise (not lengthwise!). To cut it, pierce the knife into the squash and swing down, making small slices around the squash. Cutting it this way makes the longest strands or “noodles”.
  3. Using your hands, snap the squash open. 
  4. Cut around the seeds with the knife. 
  5. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon. Cook the spaghetti squash using your favorite method.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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