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    Meals » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 13, 2020 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    Savory Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with apples, dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese is an easy dinner that's perfect for fall! via @meamel

    Savory Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with apples, dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese is an easy, delicious dinner that's perfect for fall!

    Jump to Recipe -
    sausage stuffed acorn squash with apples and cranberries on a plate

    I make this delicious stuffed acorn squash recipe with Italian sausage for the family every year. It's one of our favorite fall dinners, and it's really very easy and super simple to prepare.

    The kids love sweet Baked Acorn Squash with brown sugar and maple syrup as a side dish. But this savory squash recipe is definitely the star of the show! This is similar to Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats, only it's ideal for fall.

    Even though it's super simple, this recipe is looks elegant enough for a holiday dinner. Not a fan of turkey? Serve this stuffed acorn squash for Thanksgiving!

    How to Make Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage

    First, prepare the squash. Just cut in in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. If the squash is uneven, slice a small piece off of the bottom so that it doesn't wobble when you lay it on the baking sheet.

    Now, you can either bake it face down until it starts to soften, or you can do what I do and microwave it! The squash takes about 5 minutes to soften up in the microwave if it's on the small side. You may have to cook it for 8 to 10 minutes for thicker squash.

    cut open baked acorn squash on a baking sheet

    While the squash is cooking, make the stuffing. Just cook Italian sausage or breakfast sausage with onions, apples, dried cranberries and spices.

    I like to add some grated Parmesan cheese to help bind the stuffing together. It also adds great flavor. When the stuffing is done, it's time to fill the squash.

    sausage with apple cubes and cranberries in a skillet

    I used 3 squashes for this recipe, so it makes a total of 6 servings. You can definitely cut the recipe in half if you don't need that much. Or, you can refrigerate the extras for later. It reheats very well.

    For more flavor, brush the insides and tops of the squash with melted butter. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper if you want.

    Spoon the stuffing into the cavities until they're all completely filled. They'll be overflowing, but the stuffing will shrink down as it cooks.

    stuffed squash on a foil lined baking sheet

    Bake the squash for about 20 minutes or until it's fork tender and the stuffing is golden brown. If the stuffing starts to get too dark, you can cover it loosely with foil.

    Top with some more grated Parmesan cheese before serving. And now, my friends, you are ready to eat! This is a meal in itself, but you can whip up some Rosemary Beer Bread to serve on the side if you want.

    baked acorn squash with Italian sausage, apples and cranberries on a white plate
    sausage stuffed acorn squash with apples and cranberries on a plate

    Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Published by Dee
    Savory Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash with apples, dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese is an easy, low carb dinner that's perfect for fall!
    5 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 341 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 acorn squash cut in half
    • 1 tablespoon melted butter
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ cup diced onion 1 small or ½ large
    • 1 pound ground sausage Italian or breakfast
    • 2 medium apples cored and diced - Granny Smith work well
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse squash, cut in half, and scoop out seeds. Cut a small piece off the bottom, if necessary, so that squash doesn't wobble
    • Place on microwave-safe plate, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until able to pierce with fork. When done, place cut side up on baking sheet, and preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • Meanwhile, sauté onions in olive oil in a large skillet until translucent. Add diced apples, season with sea salt, garlic powder, pepper and cinnamon, and cook until no longer pink and apples are soft
    • Stir in dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese, and cook until cheese is melted
    • Remove from heat. Brush squash with melted butter, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired. Fill cavities with stuffing
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until squash is fork tender and stuffing tops are golden brown. If stuffing starts to get too brown, cover loosely with foil until squash is done. Top with more shredded Parmesan, if desired before serving

    Notes

    You can also bake the squash, cut sides down until slightly soft if you don't want to use the microwave.
    At 375 degrees, cook for 30 minutes or until fork tender

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 765mgPotassium: 762mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 758IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. James says

      October 23, 2020 at 9:26 am

      Made these last night and were they ever great. The kids actually loved them too. Will be making more of this for fall and winter.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 23, 2020 at 8:37 pm

        I'm glad the kids liked it! Thanks so much!

    2. Sandra McCollum says

      October 21, 2020 at 10:33 am

      This is really good!! I love how easy this is to make!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 28, 2020 at 12:02 pm

        Thank you so much, Sandra! I'm glad you liked the squash!

    3. Catalina says

      October 16, 2020 at 7:17 am

      What a fancy and delicious dish! Perfect for the Fall season! The best!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 16, 2020 at 9:07 pm

        Thank you so much, Catalina! It's definitely perfect for fall!

    4. Sara Welch says

      October 15, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      What a great recipe and perfect for fall! Looking forward to enjoying this all season long! Delish!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 15, 2020 at 8:27 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks, Sara!

    5. Cathy says

      October 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      What a great dinner idea! Can't wait to make it!

      Reply
    6. Kevin says

      October 15, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      I have to make this for dinner soon! I love the flavors of it!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Allyson Zea says

      October 15, 2020 at 9:02 am

      This looks like the perfect meal! Thanks for the easy directions!

      Reply
    8. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      October 14, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      This Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash couldn't look any more perfect!5 stars

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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