Description
This comforting and flavorful Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe combines tender roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory Italian sausage mixture enhanced with fresh thyme, garlic, and parmesan cheese. It’s a cozy autumn dish perfect for a satisfying dinner that’s both hearty and packed with delicious seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Squash
- 2 acorn squash
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pats
Stuffing
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
- 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven to ensure even roasting.
- Prepare Squash: Cut each acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds and innards. Place the halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then place a pat of butter in each half. Roast the squash for 30 minutes to soften.
- Cook Sausage: While the squash roasts, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon to brown evenly.
- Add Onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are softened. Drain and discard any excess fat from the pan.
- Combine Flavors: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme leaves stripped from the stems, and the grated parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Stuff and Roast Squash: Remove the roasted squash from the oven and fill each half generously with the sausage mixture. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and roast for another 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and fully cooked through.
Notes
- Choose medium-sized acorn squash for more manageable cooking and serving portions.
- Removing excess fat after cooking sausage and onions keeps the dish from becoming greasy.
- This recipe can be adjusted with different types of sausage such as spicy or mild, depending on your preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven to preserve texture.
