Delight in the simplicity of Stuffed Acorn Squash – a no-fuss dinner that’s both tasty and visually appealing. Picture this: acorn squashes sliced in half, ready to be filled with a flavorful mix of sausage and rice. It’s simple, it’s easy, and it’s sure to impress.
First things first, preheat your oven to a cozy 400°F. Cut the squashes, remove the seeds – no sweat. In one pan, cook sausage till it’s nice and golden. In another, onions and garlic are getting soft and transparent – easy peasy.
Now, the fun part. Mix the cooked sausage, onions, garlic, rice, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Give it a good stir. Spoon this tasty combo into the waiting squashes, generously piling it up. Drizzle some olive oil on top – a finishing touch.
Bake for about 40-45 minutes; patience is key. The squashes become tender, the filling turns golden. Then, the big finish – Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle it on and back into the oven to get all melty and bubbly.
Wait a bit – just 5 minutes. Let everything settle. Now, serving becomes a breeze, and each bite is a burst of happiness.
What’s on your plate isn’t just dinner; it’s the simple joy of creating something extraordinary without the fuss. Stuffed Acorn Squash – where simplicity meets deliciousness.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffed Acorn Squash is a visually stunning and flavorful dish that marries simplicity with elegance. Halved acorn squashes are filled with a savory mixture of sausage, rice, and herbs, baked to perfection. In just over an hour, you'll have a comforting fall main course, each serving around 500 calories. This easy and customizable recipe is a celebration of making the ordinary extraordinary.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Resting Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal
Baking Sheet
Chef's knife
Cutting board
Medium-sized mixing bowl
Spoon
Aluminum foil
- 2 acorn squashes halved and seeds removed
- 1 lb (450g) ground sausage (pork or turkey)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for drizzling
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Squash: Cut the acorn squashes in half and scoop out the seeds. Place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and cooked through. Break it into crumbles with a spoon as it cooks.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until they are soft and translucent.
Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, sautéed onions, garlic, cooked rice, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Stuff the Squash: Spoon the sausage and rice mixture into each acorn squash half, creating a generous mound. Drizzle each stuffed squash with olive oil.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender and the filling is golden brown.
Cheese Topping: In the last 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle each stuffed squash with Parmesan cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Allow the stuffed acorn squash to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. The flavors will meld, and the squash will be easier to handle.
- Experiment with different types of sausage for varied flavors.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts or dried fruits to the stuffing for extra texture and sweetness.
- This recipe is easily customizable; try incorporating your favorite herbs or spices.
Keyword Easy Dinner, Fall Recipe, Sausage and Rice, Stuffed Acorn Squash