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4.8 from 12 votes

Stuffed Acorn Squash (Vegetarian!)

This Stuffed Squash recipe makes a great vegan or vegetarian dinner. It's stuffed with a protein-packed quinoa stuffing, which can be made in advance for an easier holiday meal.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 352 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 3 talks celery , chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh sage , minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 8 ounces mushrooms , sliced
  • 1 cup quinoa , rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • black pepper , to taste
  • 3/4 cup pecans , chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (juice sweetened)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Slice the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Arrange the squash on a large baking sheet cut-side-up, and sprinkle each have generously with salt and pepper. Bake the squash until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. 
  2. While the squash is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and celery until it starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, sage, and thyme, and sauté one more minute, just until fragrant. 
  3. Add in the mushrooms, quinoa, and water, and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan with a lid and lower the heat, allowing the quinoa to cook until tender, and the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. 
  4. Remove the stuffing from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans and dried cranberries, if using. When the squash is tender, fill each half with a heaping scoop of stuffing and serve warm. Season with black pepper, if desired. 
  5. If you have any leftovers, I prefer to store them separately for easier reheating later. To reheat, warm the squash in the oven for 15 minutes at 350ºF, and while that is heating stir the quinoa in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 352kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 418mg (17%) Potassium 1174mg (34%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 995IU (20%) Vitamin C 29mg (32%) Calcium 131mg (13%) Iron 3.9mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 352

% Daily Value*

Calories 352kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 418mg 17%
Potassium 1174mg 25%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 995IU 20%
Vitamin C 29mg 32%
Calcium 131mg 13%
Iron 3.9mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.