Spaghetti Squash Salad with Apple & Toasted Pecans Recipe (2024)

Published: Oct 9, 2020 · Modified: Oct 20, 2022 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 86 Comments

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}
{Cookin’ Canuck}
Low Carb Spaghetti & Meatballs {A Spicy Perspective}
Creamy Vegan Spaghetti Squash Bake {Spoon Fork Bacon}

Printable Recipe

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.