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Perfect Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Close-up of a baked stuffed acorn squash half filled with rice, sausage, cranberries, and herbs.
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Make this hearty Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash for a comforting fall dinner or an impressive holiday main dish. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound bulk sausage (pork or turkey)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped apple (such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
  • 1/2 cup cooked wild rice or brown rice
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each acorn squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
  3. Place the squash halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the cut surfaces lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Bake the squash for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and set aside, keeping the oven on.
  5. While the squash bakes, prepare the filling. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  6. Add the chopped onion and apple to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the onion softens and the apple begins to become tender.
  7. Stir in the cooked rice, dried cranberries, sage, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes.
  8. Spoon the sausage mixture evenly into the hollowed centers of the roasted acorn squash halves.
  9. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the squash edges are slightly caramelized. Serve warm.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian stuffed squash option, replace the sausage with 1 pound of cooked lentils or crumbled plant-based ground meat.
  • If you prefer a sweeter dish, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to the filling mixture.
  • This recipe works well as a Thanksgiving main dish idea or a hearty side dish for fall meals.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/stuffed-acorn-squash-sausage-apple-recipe/