This easy Spaghetti Squash Salad with apples, toasted pecans & apple cider vinaigrette is the perfect fall side dish for Thanksgiving or weeknight dinners!
This spaghetti squash salad is a side dish worthy of a holiday meal. But it’s also easy enough to include in your regular meal plan rotation.
If you’re a spaghetti squash newbie, you’ll be shocked at how easy it is to cook. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be smothered with an easy chicken and tomato sauce, stuffed with pesto and chicken or made into a fall salad. Or try the spaghetti squash recipe that made me fall in love with this vegetable.
If you’re looking for vegan spaghetti squash recipes, look no further. This spaghetti squash salad is toss with chopped apple, toasted pecans and green onion, then finished off with a simple apple cider vinaigrette.
Cheese lover? Sprinkle in some goat cheese or feta.
Serve this delicious fall salad with baked chicken breast, roasted pork tenderloin, or as a veggie side for a chicken and potato sheet pan meal. For a meatless meal, serve it with vegetarian stuffed peppers.
And finish off the meal with a fall dessert, such as Apple and Blackberry Crumble or Baked Pumpkin Pie Egg Rolls.
What you need for this spaghetti squash salad:
These are the main components needed for this recipe (affiliate links included):
- Spaghetti squash: This recipe calls for a 3-pound squash. If your grocery store only has small squash on hand, use two smaller squashes. Most produce departments have scales available for customer use.
- Apple: I opted for Gala apples, but any crisp, sweet apples work well.
- Pecans: Roughly chop raw pecans and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Watch them carefully because they tend to burn as soon as you get distracted.😊
- Green onion: Thinly slice green onions, and use both the green and white sections.
- Dressing: The dressing is a simple vinaigrette made of apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, agave nectar and salt.
How to microwave spaghetti squash:
While spaghetti squash can be roasted in the oven like butternut or acorn squash, I like to take the cheater’s route on busy weeknights.
Place the squash in a microwave safe dish and cook on HIGH, turning the squash halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the strength of your microwave – in other words, the number of watts the microwave puts out at HIGH power. In my old microwave, it took about 15 minutes to cook a 3-pound spaghetti squash. But with my newer, stronger (1200 W) microwave, it only takes 10 to 12 minutes.
Rather than relying solely on time, press the outside of the squash to determine the doneness. When pressed, the skin should be soft enough to depress slightly, but not so soft that it’s collapsing. If overdone, the flesh of the squash becomes mushy.
Once the squash is cool enough, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, grab a fork and start twisting. The thin strands that give this squash its name should come out easily.
Spaghetti squash nutrition:
According to the USDA, one cup of spaghetti squash contains 39 calories, 0 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber. That’s right – only 39 calories in spaghetti squash. That makes it a fantastic option for both side dishes and entrees.
Spaghetti squash is also a good source of antioxidants, which may help to prevent conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. In particular, it contains vitamin C, manganese and vitamin B6.
OTHER HEALTHY SPAGHETTI SQUASH RECIPES:
Chicken Puttanesca with Spaghetti Squash {Cookin’ Canuck}
Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Feta & Basil White Beans {Cookin’ Canuck}
Low Carb Spaghetti & Meatballs {A Spicy Perspective}
Creamy Vegan Spaghetti Squash Bake {Spoon Fork Bacon}
Spaghetti Squash Salad with Apple & Toasted Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 (3 lb.) spaghetti squash
- 2 medium Gala apples cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup roughly chopped pecans toasted in a dry skillet
- 2 green onions white & green parts, thinly sliced
The dressing:
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Using a large, sharp knife, pierce a spaghetti squash in several places. Place the spaghetti squash in a glass baking dish and cook in the microwave on high for 10-15 minutes, turning the squash halfway through cooking. The cooking time will depend on the strength of your microwave. When pressed, the skin should be soft enough to depress slightly, but not so soft that it’s collapsing.
- Before handling, let the squash stand for 10 minutes. Cut it in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and fibers. Using a fork, twist out strands of the spaghetti squash flesh and place in a large bowl. Cover and chill.
- Add pecans, apples, and green onions, and stir well.
- Toss with the dressing. Serve.
The dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, agave nectar and salt.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published on October 10, 2011 and updated on October 9, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Meghan
What a great way to use spaghetti squash! Love all the colors in the dish & the addition of apples!
Choosy Beggar Tina
I love spaghetti squash and I'm always looking for new ways to prepare it. This looks gorgeous, and I love the pseudo-waldorf flavors!
Kita
I was sooo not prepared to see pictures of snow yet! Not prepared at all! I just got a chill right down to my spine. Thank got this one little squash survived and you made the best of it!
Lucy
I adore spaghetti squash and usually eat it with marinara as you described, but I've printed this recipe and trying it next week. Love this combination!
Sally
This is such a good idea!! When it comes to spaghetti squash, I always go blank on ideas and ultimately fall back on the tomato sauce - I am definitely bookmarking this!
MikeVFMK
Really creative use of spaghetti squash. And it looks so beautiful! Personally, anything made with apples is great so I'd love to have some of this. Lovely photographs too!
Nava Krishnan
such a lively combo, esp with pecans, delicious looking.
Brooks at Cakewalker
Dara, Yes - cow tipping is a teenage time passer! I have paused a time or two with how to prepare this variety of squash, but with your recipe, there will be no hesitation. Terrific presentation and thank you for sharing it!
Vanessa
beautiful =)
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories)
I've never put anything like this in my spaghetti squash but I am SOOO intrigued by this! I think I'm gonna have to give this a try...thank you for sharing it!
marla
Dara, I am soooo happy that you rescued this squash. The same thing happened to me. I had one in the kitchen & we kept staring each other down. Finally I prepared it - which really is no effort as you mentioned. I actually prefer it to regular pasta. I love the idea of the apples in yours.
Heidi / foodiecrush
Hey lookie there! A new way to make spaghetti squash sans tomato sauce and you have some serious suggestions in there. Poor lonely squash, at least he gave his best at your table. Well done!
Maria
Great fall recipe!
Wenderly
I adore spaghetti squash!!! I've never prepared it with all of these delicious flavors however...sounds perfectly delightful!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
I will admit...I think this is the first time I have ever seen apples in pasta Dara...but it sounds terrific with the combination of ingredients you've chosen. Very nice indeed!
Nancy@acommunaltable
Hi Dara!!
Now this looks like a Spaghetti Squash I could love!!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
What a creative way to use spaghetti squash! I usually just keep it simple with tomato sauce. This looks delicious.
Winnie
I love spaghetti squash and this looks great! ps your new salvaged photo backdrop is lovely!
Squash Blossom Babies
This looks very interesting. I must try this one!
Kate@Diethood
Oh this dish makes me swoon! what a great combo of flavors!