How To Cook Spaghetti Squash On The Pit Boss Pellet Grill [Step-by-Step]

I love cooking on my Pit Boss pellet grill. I’ve cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, bacon, chicken breasts, and more! However, one thing that has never crossed my mind to cook is spaghetti squash. This article is going to walk you through how to cook spaghetti squash on the Pit Boss pellet grill.

Cooking a Spaghetti Squash on a Pit boss Pellet Grill

Most people don’t use their pellet grill to cook vegetables. However, once you taste the smokiness of the spaghetti squash, you’ll never cook it in the oven again.

how to cook spaghetti squash on the Pit Boss pellet grill

I’m going to walk you through the process of cooking the perfect spaghetti squash your family and guests will love.

To cook the perfect spaghetti squash, you’ll need the following:

Pit Poss pellet grill (or any other brand)
Spaghetti squash
A good cooking technique
Spaghetti squash recipe to follow (I’ll share mine below)
Fork or thermometer
Tasty sides

This can sound confusing, especially, if you’ve never baked a spaghetti squash on the grill.

However, I’m going to break down the exact process I used to cook my first spaghetti squash on the pellet grill.

But First, What Is Spaghetti Squash?

Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash and is a great substitute for pasta. When cooked, the flesh of the spaghetti squash becomes “strings” that resemble spaghetti noodles. This makes it a perfect low-carb and gluten-free substitution for pasta.

How to Buy Spaghetti Squash?

You can buy spaghetti squash at supermarkets or your local farmer’s market. They come in a variety of sizes, but you’ll want to pick one that feels heavy for its size. A heavy spaghetti squash usually means it’s full of moisture and will taste better when grilled.

It’s fine if it has blemishes on the bottom since it grows on the ground. As long as the rind doesn’t have dark yellow, or brown spots, or feels squishy to the touch, it should be good to eat.

A dull squash is better than a shiny one. We all love shiny and new things, but in the case of spaghetti squash, dull is best. That said, the skin should be firm and free of blemishes, wrinkles, or soft spots.

How to Prepare Spaghetti Squash for the Pellet Grill?

The most challenging part of cooking spaghetti squash is cutting it in half. You’ll need a sharp knife, towel, uncluttered surface, and a cutting board.

Always cut the squash horizontally (lengthwise), not vertically.

Wash the spaghetti squash
Use a Towel: Place a towel on the cutting board to prevent the squash from rolling.
Start with a small knife: Use a sharp smaller knife to make a score with the tip of the knife. You’re not cutting really deep, just making a line. Don’t try cutting into the rind, as it’s too hard. Make sure you’re cutting in the opposite direction away from your hand, so you don’t cut your fingers off.
Finish with a big knife: Grab a larger (Chef’s) knife to cut all the way through the squash. Place your hand on the stem side and stick the knife in the line you made with the smaller knife and apply more pressure so the knife goes through the rind, careful not to cut yourself.
Slam the Squash: Once the knife goes into the slit, keep pushing the knife further. Then lift the squash up while the knife is in the squash, and slam the spaghetti squash down while holding the knife in place. This will push the knife through the opposite side of the rind. Make sure you’re placing your hand away from the knife.
Repeat the Process: Rotate the spaghetti squash and repeat the process on the opposite side.
Pull the halves apart: Now grab the opening on the squash and pull it apart. It’s okay, if it isn’t completely even, it will still cook fine on the grill.
Leave the stem on: Don’t try to remove the stem, as it’s too tough.

The video below was extremely helpful for helping me cut my first spaghetti squash.

If the spaghetti squash is too tough, you can soften it up in the microwave. Use a fork or knife and pierce the rind horizontally, where you’ll be cutting it. Place it in the microwave for three to four minutes.

This will help soften the rind making it a little easier to cut. Don’t microwave it longer than that, otherwise, steam can build up inside making it dangerous when you cut it open.

Clean Out The Seeds

Once it’s halved, use your hand to clean out the strands and seeds. I threw mine away, but here’s a great roasted spaghetti squash recipe you can try.

Spaghetti Squash Recipe

There are no shortages of spaghetti squash recipes you can use online. If it’s your first cooking this vegetable, I recommend starting with a simple recipe.

What to Fill A Spaghetti Squash With?

There is an endless number of things you can put inside a spaghetti squash. You can fill it with meat, cheese, spaghetti sauce, herbs, spices and etc.

Spaghetti squash is a low-fat food, but the more toppings you add, the more the calories increase.

For my first one, I filled mine with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

I filled each side separately with ½ a cup of each type of cheese, but you can go as crazy as you want on the cheese.

That’s the great thing about cooking at home, you can flavor and make the food the way you like it.

How to Smoke Spaghetti Squash on The Pit Boss

Preheat the Pit Boss

While prepping the squash, preheat the Pit Boss to 400°F/204°C. This will ensure the grill is hot when you place the squash on the grill. Close the sear plate, as you’ll be cooking over indirect heat.

If you want to smoke the squash before cooking it, set the Pit Boss to the smoke setting which is 180°F. Smoke it for about 30 minutes before turning the temperature up to 400°F.

But, even if you don’t smoke the squash, it will still have a smoky flavor to it because it will sit in the pellet grill for about 1½ – 2 hours.

I didn’t smoke mine, I just cooked it at 425°F the whole way through and I was extremely happy it and will do it again.

What P-Setting Do I Use?

I always leave the grill on the default P-4 settings, which is what the manual recommends. That said, if you’re cooking in colder weather, you want to change it to a P-2 or P-3 setting.

Place the Spaghetti Squash on the Grill

Once the grill has reached the proper temperature, place the spaghetti squash on the grill, flesh side down. Close the lid and check it in about 30-60 minutes.

Flip The Squash

Halfway through the cooking time, flip the squash over, so it finishes cooking with the rind side on the grill.

Monitor The Squash

To tell it’s done, it should be fork-tender. Meaning you should be able to pierce a fork in it and it comes out easily.

Don’t overcook it, otherwise, it will turn to mush and ruin the dish.

Remove the Spaghetti Squash

Use a good pair of BBQ gloves, to remove from the grill. Let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Scrape the Flesh and Fill With Contents

Once cooled use a fork to scrape back and forth to remove the flesh in strands, being careful to keep the shells intact.

Pour the strands into a bowl and mix them with the cheese. When mixed, pour the mixture back into the shells and top with more cheese.

Put them back on the grill for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt and become brown.

How Long Does It Take to Cook A Spaghetti Squash on a Pit Boss?

On average it will take about 1½ – 2 hours to cook a medium-sized squash. The cook time will vary depending on the size of the squash, cooking, and ambient temperature.

Regardless of how long it takes, make sure you don’t remove the squash too early, otherwise, the strands won’t form and you’ll break the rind. If you cook it too long, it will be too mushy.

How Do You Know When the Squash is Cooked?

You should be able to run a fork down the top edge of the squash, and see spaghetti-like strands with an al-denti (slightly firm) texture.

Best Pellets to Use for Smoking a Spaghetti Squash?

Spaghetti squash is a mild-flavored vegetable, so I’d use either the Pit Boss competition blend, apple, or cherry-flavored pellets. Choosing the right flavored pellets comes down to personal choice.

Always go with a flavor you like, after all, you’re the one that’s going to be eating the food. Don’t be nervous about experimenting with different flavors.

It’s the only way you’re going to find out which ones you like.

How Long Do I Let The Spaghetti Squash Rest?

I always rest all the foods that come off the Pit Boss pellet grill. It allows the juices to redistribute back into the food, making every bit nice and moist. I’m not sure if this happens with vegetables, but I recommend waiting 5-10 minutes before cooking.

It allows the food to cool, so your guests and family don’t burn their tongues and mouths.

Can You Eat The Skin of Spaghetti Squash?

Unlike zucchini and acorn squash, I would not recommend eating the skin of spaghetti squash. While it won’t hurt you, after cooking it, the skin becomes rough and thin, almost rubbery. Making it hard to eat and swallow.

What Sides to Serve With Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a versatile fall favorite, meaning it goes well with poultry, beef, pork, and lamb. It can also be eaten as a meal by itself with a side of your favorite bread.

Can I Cook Both Sides At Once?

A 3-pound spaghetti squash will feed about 8 people, depending on portion sizes. We’re two people and went ahead and cooked both halves at the same time.

Leave the second half (you won’t eat) intact and refrigerate it. In a day or two when you’re ready to eat it, scrape out the inside and fill it with cheese.

Instead of putting it back on the pellet grill, unless you want to. You can melt the cheese in the oven or convection oven without pulling out the grill.

What To Do With Leftovers

The whole uncooked spaghetti squash will last for about two weeks at room temperature. Once cooked, place it in an airtight container and it should be eaten in 3-5 days before it spoils.

While it is possible to freeze spaghetti squash, I’ve never done it. This article will walk you through how to do it properly.

Final Word

The Pit Boss makes it easy to cook your favorite fall vegetables. It adds a hint of smokiness flavor, you just won’t get from an oven.

Next time you’re at the supermarket, pick up a spaghetti squash and throw it on the Pit Boss. It’s a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.

You can even get more creative than I did and add some marinara sauce and serve it like regular spaghetti. The biggest difference is spaghetti squash is much healthier!

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