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overhead view of Stuffed Acorn Squash on a white plate with a fork on it.
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Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage & Apples

The perfect Fall dish that can be served as either a side dish or main dish. This Roasted Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe features a Sausage and Apple Quinoa Stuffing that's versatile and simple to make.
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword acorn squash,sausage,apple,quinoa,Thanksgiving side dish,Fall Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 Acorn halves
Calories 632kcal
Author Nicole Crocker

Ingredients

  • 3 Acorn Squash ,cut in half and seeds and guts scooped from the cavity
  • 1 Pound Ground Hot Italian Sausage ,Optional
  • 1 Cup Red Quinoa ,Cooked according to package directions
  • 2 Apples peeled, cored and diced
  • 1 Cup Onion ,diced
  • 1/2 Cup Celery ,diced
  • 1 Cup Pecans ,chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • Salt & Pepper ,to taste
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil ,for sauteeing and coating squash
  • 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese ,shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
    Set aside.
  • Cut 3 acorn squash in half and scoop out seeds and pulp with a spoon.
  • Coat the cavity of each squash with olive oil then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place cavity side down on baking sheet and place in preheated oven on the middle rack. Bake for 45 minutes.
  • While squash is baking prepare stuffing.
  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add chopped onions and celery and sautee for 3-5 minutes.
  • Add sausage. Cook and mix together with a wooden spoon, breaking up the sausage as it cooks. Cook for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add apples, craisins, pecans, thyme and sage. Toss to combine with the sausage and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
  • Add cooked quinoa and toss to combine.
  • Remove skillet from heat and set aside until squash are finished cooking.
  • Once the squash is ready remove them from the oven. Carefully turn each over so that the cavity side is facing up. Fill each cavity with apple, sausage stuffing then top with shredded parmesan cheese.
  • Place back in oven for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and serve.

Video

Notes

**Amount of servings depend on if its being served as a side dish or main course. As a main course you should get about 6 servings but you will get much more if you serve as a side dish. I estimate that each squash half can serve 2 people for a total servings of 12 as a side dish.
Other options for the stuffing mixture
  • Ground turkey or other ground meat
  • Rice or any other of your favorite grains
  • Diced pears
**Any extra stuffing mixture can be saved to be used as a side dish of it's own with another meal.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1half | Calories: 632kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 698mg | Potassium: 1292mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 919IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 4mg