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Stuffed Acorn Squash
Cold-weather comfort food! This Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with apples, spinach and cranberries is ready in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 827 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 lb. bulk pork sausage (spicy or mild)
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup peeled, diced apple
- 1 cup loosely-packed fresh baby spinach leaves, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 ½ cups stuffing mix (I use Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place the squash in a microwave-safe dish, cut-side down. Cover and microwave on high until tender, 10-12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion, celery and apple until the sausage is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain. Remove from heat and stir in the spinach, cranberries and stuffing mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Add the egg mixture to the sausage mixture and gently toss to combine.
- Turn over the squash. Divide the sausage mixture in the cavity of each half of squash. Place the stuffed squash in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The Sausage: You can use mild or spicy pork sausage, or try a sage pork sausage (like this one from Jimmy Dean) for even more flavor. Try sweet or spicy Italian sausage, too!
- Beef or Turkey: Swap out the sausage and substitute with 1 lb. of ground beef or ground turkey. These meats aren't seasoned like sausage, so you'll likely need to add extra seasoning of your own -- such as salt, pepper, garlic, and any herbs that you like.
- Herbs: The stuffing mix includes herbs, but you can also use more of your favorite fresh herbs if you like. Try parsley, sage, thyme or rosemary.
- The Stuffing: Instead of the Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Stuffing mix, try a different brand (such as Stove Top) or a different flavor, such as Cornbread Stuffing Mix.
- To stretch the filling, use 3 acorn squash instead of 2. Each cavity will not be stuffed quite as full as you see here, but there should still be enough filling for 6 halves (instead of just 4 servings).
- For extra crunch, try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1stuffed acorn squash half
Calories
827kcal
(41%)
Carbohydrates
99g
(33%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
35g
(54%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Cholesterol
124mg
(41%)
Sodium
2005mg
(84%)
Potassium
1346mg
(38%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
1667IU
(33%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
192mg
(19%)
Iron
7mg
(39%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 827
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1stuffed acorn squash half | |
| Calories | 827kcal | 41% |
| Carbohydrates | 99g | 33% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 124mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 2005mg | 84% |
| Potassium | 1346mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 1667IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 192mg | 19% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.