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Easy Sausage, Apple, and Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash for Cozy Fall Dinners

A close-up of a roasted acorn squash half filled with a savory quinoa stuffing, a perfect example of stuffed acorn squash.
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Make this hearty stuffed acorn squash recipe for a simple, comforting fall dinner. It combines savory sausage, sweet apple, and wholesome quinoa inside tender roasted squash halves.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound bulk pork sausage (or ground turkey)
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each acorn squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
  3. Place the squash halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the cut surfaces lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Roast the squash for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Keep the oven on.
  5. While the squash roasts, prepare the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess grease.
  6. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  7. Stir in the cooked quinoa, diced apple, dried cranberries, sage, salt, and pepper. Pour in the broth and cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  8. Spoon the sausage and quinoa mixture evenly into the hollowed-out centers of the roasted acorn squash halves.
  9. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the filling is heated through. Serve warm as a complete main course.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, substitute the sausage with 1 cup of chopped mushrooms and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.
  • If you do not have cooked quinoa, you can substitute it with cooked brown rice or breadcrumbs for a different texture.
  • To make this an impressive holiday side dish, sprinkle the tops with toasted pecans before the final bake.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://completelyyummy.com/stuffed-acorn-squash-580-calorie-joy/