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 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour5 minutesminutes
Servings 6Acorn halves
Calories 632kcal
Author Nicole Crocker
Ingredients
3Acorn Squash ,cut in half and seeds and guts scooped from the cavity
1PoundGround Hot Italian Sausage,Optional
1CupRed Quinoa,Cooked according to package directions
2Applespeeled, cored and diced
1CupOnion,diced
1/2CupCelery,diced
1CupPecans,chopped
1/4teaspoonGround Sage
1/4teaspoonDried Thyme
Salt & Pepper ,to taste
3TablespoonsOlive Oil,for sauteeing and coating squash
1/4CupParmesan 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 12as 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.