This Low Calorie Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash is just 78 calories for 1/4 of the spaghetti squash!
Cooking spaghetti squash has never been easier, you don’t even have to cut the squash (that’s the hardest part!)
This instant pot recipe for spaghetti squash is packed full of flavor. With parmesan cheese, herby sage, lemon juice and zest. The seasoning for spaghetti squash is both light and delicious.
This Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan is just 78 calories!
Low Calorie Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients for Healthy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
It’s easy to make low calorie recipes with spaghetti squash. It’s already low in calories, so it’s all about the seasoning here!
Low Calorie Tips for Herbed Spaghetti Squash:
- Skip the Oil… When using the instant pot (unless you’re sautéing) you don’t need oil. Right there you can save 100’s of calories!
- Sharp Cheese… The sharper the better! When you use sharp cheese (like parmesan) you don’t need as much as the flavor is already super strong! A little goes a long way with sharp cheese.
- Lemon Zest… Zero calories, and so much flavor! I zest the lemon before I cut it, and use these wonderful flakes to season the recipe.
Shopping List for Skinny Parmesan Sage Spaghetti Squash:
- Spaghetti squash
- Lemon
- Sage leaves
- Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast)
Healthy Tips and Swaps
It’s easy to modify spaghetti squash you meet your dietary needs!
Low Carb Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is already naturally low in carbs! You can help balance the carbs to protein ratio even more by adding some high protein sauce. This Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce is packed with protein and so delicious.
Low Sodium Spaghetti Squash
To lower the sodium, remove the parmesan cheese and add more lemon juice. You can also add a small pad of unsalted butter to bring in the rich flavor that the parmesan supplies.
High Protein Spaghetti Squash
Boost the protein in spaghetti squash with a hearty sauce, as noted above in the low carb section, this Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce is packed with protein and great over spaghetti squash.
Low Sugar Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is already very low in sugar (yippee) as is this recipe. So you are good to go. If adding a sauce to the recipe, go for a low sugar sauce like my Low Calorie Alfredo Sauce, or just stick to the recipe provided in the recipe card for a low sugar spaghetti squash.
How to Cook Healthy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Cooking a spaghetti squash is easy, but cutting it is downright dangerous! I have a friend (who grew up on a farm so she knows!) that keeps a kitchen hatchet for these squashes. Yes, a hatchet, a small axe!
But if you make a spaghetti squash in an instant pot, you don’t even have to cut it in half! Save your sanity (and maybe your fingers) and try this method. It makes spaghetti squash healthy (no oil needed) and safe.
How to Make a Healthy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash:
- Use a knife to pierce the spaghetti squash all over.
- Add the metal trivet and 1 cup water to the Instant Pot.
- Place the whole spaghetti squash into the Instant pot, and cover.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Do a manual release and carefully (with oven mitts on) move the spaghetti squash to a cutting board.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then cut in half and remove all the seeds.
- Shred the spaghetti squash with a fork. Move the spaghetti squash to a large bowl.
- Zest the lemon over the spaghetti squash, and add the sage.
- Cut the lemon in half and squeeze 1/2 the lemon juice over the spaghetti squash and toss together.
- At this point, you can add the spaghetti squash back to the hulls, or serve it on plates.
- Sprinkle with cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option) and serve hot with lemon slices on the side.
Low Calorie Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe
This herb spaghetti squash parmesan cheese recipe is easy and delicious! You get to cook the spaghetti squash whole, no cutting (the hardest part!)
These veggie spaghetti squash recipes can easily be modified. Add some diced cooked chicken for protein, or a dash of red pepper flakes for heat.
More Low Calorie Squash Recipes:
Low Calorie Spaghetti Squash
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 lemon
- 4 sage leaves minced
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Use a knife to pierce the spaghetti squash all over.
- Add the metal trivet and 1 cup water to the Instant Pot.
- Place the whole spaghetti squash into the Instant pot, and cover.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Do a manual release and carefully (with oven mitts on) move the spaghetti squash to a cutting board.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then cut in half and remove all the seeds.
- Shred the spaghetti squash with a fork. Move the spaghetti squash to a large bowl.
- Zest the lemon over the spaghetti squash, and add the sage.
- Cut the lemon in half and squeeze 1/2 the lemon juice over the spaghetti squash and toss together.
- At this point, you can add the spaghetti squash back to the hulls, or serve it on plates.
- Sprinkle with cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option) and serve hot with lemon slices on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Spaghetti Squash
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Article History:
- Originally written and published October 7, 2021 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on September 21, 2023 by Audrey Johns
