Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce

This undated photo provided by America's Test Kitchen in December 2018 shows Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce in Brookline, Mass. This recipe appears in the cookbook "Multicooker Perfection." (Joe Keller/America's Test Kitchen via AP)

Servings: 4

Pressure Cooker: 50 minutes

Slow Cooker: 5 hours, 30 minutes

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried

Pinch red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

2 pounds plum tomatoes, cored and cut into 1 inch pieces

1 4-pound spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Shaved Parmesan

Using highest saute or browning function, heat oil in multicooker until shimmering. Add garlic, tomato paste, oregano, pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes. Season squash halves with salt and pepper and nestle cut side down into multicooker.

— To pressure cook: Lock lid in place and close pressure release valve. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off multicooker and quick-release pressure. Carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you.

— To slow cook: Lock lid in place and open pressure release valve. Select low slow cook function and cook until squash is tender, 4 to 5 hours. (If using Instant Pot, select high slow cook function and increase cooking range to 5 to 6 hours.) Carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you.

Transfer squash to cutting board, let cool slightly, then shred flesh into strands using two forks; discard skins. Transfer squash to fine-mesh strainer and let drain while finishing sauce.

Cook sauce using highest saute or browning function until tomatoes are completely broken down and sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer squash to serving dish, spoon sauce over top, and sprinkle with basil and Parmesan. Serve.

Nutrition information per serving: 289 calories; 125 calories from fat; 14 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 1 mg cholesterol; 125 mg sodium; 42 g carbohydrate; 10 g fiber; 19 g sugar; 6 g protein.

For more recipes, cooking tips and ingredient and product reviews, visit https://www.americastestkitchen.com. Find more recipes like Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce in “Multicooker Perfection .”

America’s Test Kitchen provided this article to The Associated Press.