Description
Hearty sausage stuffed acorn squash brings rustic Italian flavors to your autumn table. Wild rice, savory sausage, and herbs nestle inside roasted squash halves, creating a comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 medium acorn squash
- 10 ounces (280 grams) spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
- 4 ounces (115 grams) fresh spinach
Vegetable and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
Seasoning and Oils:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F, ensuring a precise roasting environment for the acorn squash.
- Stabilize the squash by trimming its top and bottom, creating a level foundation for even cooking.
- Slice the squash lengthwise with a sharp knife, carefully removing seeds and fibrous interior to create clean, smooth vessels.
- Massage olive oil across the squash’s surface, enhancing flavor and promoting caramelization. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for depth.
- Position squash halves face-down on a baking sheet, allowing direct heat to transform the flesh into tender, golden perfection.
- Roast for 30 minutes until the squash develops a rich, caramelized exterior and soft, yielding texture.
- Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a skillet, creating a sizzling base for the savory filling.
- Sauté diced onions until they become translucent and slightly charred, releasing their sweet, aromatic essence.
- Introduce crumbled sausage, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning, stirring frequently to ensure comprehensive cooking and flavor integration.
- Fold in fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt and meld seamlessly with the robust sausage mixture.
- Incorporate dried cranberries and chopped pecans, introducing a delightful contrast of sweet, nutty notes to the savory filling.
- Extract roasted squash from the oven, turning halves upward to receive the flavorful stuffing.
- Generously distribute the sausage mixture among squash cavities, ensuring each half is abundantly filled.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and return stuffed squash, allowing the filling to heat thoroughly and flavors to harmonize.
- Bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until the entire dish radiates warmth and culinary promise.
Notes
- Perfectly timed roasting ensures the acorn squash becomes tender and caramelized, creating a delicious base for the hearty sausage filling.
- Flipping the squash halfway through cooking helps achieve an even roast and prevents burning, maximizing flavor and texture.
- Choose a robust Italian sausage for maximum taste, and opt for fresh spinach to add vibrant color and nutritional boost to the dish.
- Dried cranberries and pecans provide a delightful sweet and crunchy contrast to the savory sausage, elevating the overall flavor profile.
- Adjust seasoning to personal preference, using salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the optimal temperature and texture of the stuffed squash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg