You are going to love this spicy sausage apple stuffed acorn squash recipe. It uses simple ingredients and gives you all the fresh flavors of fall in one dish. Not to mention it looks beautiful on your plate. Give it a try when you want something seasonal and special!
Spicy Sausage Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Spicy sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash is a wonderful recipe and the perfect fall dish to get you in all the seasonal feels. It has the savory flavor of the spicy pork sausage, the sweetness of the apples, and the nutty acorn squash combined. I love a tangy and sweet dish and this one checks all the boxes.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
It uses fresh ingredients. This recipe uses fresh, seasonal ingredients for a yummy fall dish. Eating seasonally ensures that you get the greatest nutritional benefits from your food.
It’s savory and sweet. Using tart apples with spicy sausage gives you the perfect combination of savory and sweet that you’ll love!
It’s easy to make. This acorn squash recipe is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is a complete meal so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
It’s healthy. This dish is packed with nutrient-dense fruits and veggies and a delicious way to get your veggies in.
More Fall Recipes You’ll Love
- Spicy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage
- Sourdough Apple Fritters
- Pumpkin Bread
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
How to Make Spicy Sausage Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
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What You’ll Need
- Sheet Pan
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting board
- Large Skillet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage or pork sausage
- 1 small Red onion
- 1 medium Apple (tart varieties are best)
- 1 tablespoon of Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly shave Parmesan cheese
Directions
- First thing, begin by preheating the oven to 400°F.
- With a sharp knife cut the smaller ends off the acorn squash so it will stand on its side. This will make it easier to cut.
- Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise. Cutting it lengthwise will maintain its shape. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon and discard them. You can also feed them to your chickens like I do.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the cut acorn squash cut sides up. I find baking it cut side down is harder to tell if it’s tender.
- Brush the top of the squash with the olive oil. Sprinkle with ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper and roast it in the preheated oven for around 30 minutes until it’s soft and fork tender.
- While the squash bakes, dice the onion and apple. Add it to a skillet with 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Sauté over medium-high heat to make caramelized onions and soften the apples.
- Add the spicy sausage to the skillet with the vegetables and sauté over medium heat until it’s brown. Once it’s brown remove any excess oil from the sausage mixture and set it aside.
- Remove the roasted acorn squash from the oven once they’re done. Scoop the stuffing mixture into the wells of the squash. You can scoop out some of the excess meat of the acorn squash to allow more of the mixture to sit in the squash boats.
- Return the stuffed squash to the baking sheet and bake it in the oven for around 10 minutes.
- Remove the stuffed squash from the oven and sprinkle the tops with the parmesan cheese. Serve them warm.
Helpful Tips
Look for acorn squash that is dark green in color with few orange or light places. Also, avoid any squash that has soft spots or blemishes. Also, try to make sure the size of your squash is similar so the cooking times won’t vary as much.
Use a sturdy spoon to remove the seeds from the squash as well as the stringy flesh. You can feed them to your chickens or you can roast them as a snack.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat them slowly in a pre-heated oven.
Season the acorn squash well before roasting it. This will ensure that your squash is very flavorful. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley and sage.
Stuffed Acorn Squash-FAQs
What kind of sausage works best?
You can use several different options. Spicy Italian sausage, mild sausage, or even spicy chorizo will work. If you want a healthy sausage, try chicken or turkey sausage.
What kind of apples should I use?
A crisp, sweet-tart variety like Honey crisp, Granny Smith, or Gala works great for contrast with the savory sausage.
Do I need to peel the acorn squash?
Nope! The skin becomes soft and edible once cooked, so you can eat it or scoop the flesh out easily.
How do you prevent stuffed squash from getting mushy?
Avoid over-baking the squash before stuffing it. Bake it just until tender, then fill and pop it back in the oven to finish cooking everything together.
Spicy Sausage Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash-Final Thoughts
Spicy sausage apple stuffed acorn squash is one of those meals that’s not only simple to make but packed with flavor. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with just the right amount of kick from the sausage.
Whether you’re making it for a cozy weeknight dinner or to impress guests, this dish is a total winner. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy fall flavors! Give it a try.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it!
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Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Skillet
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 Acorn squash
- 1 pound Spicy Italian sausage
- 1 small Red onion
- 1 Medium apple Tart varieties are best.
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly Shaved
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F.
- With a sharp knife, cut the smaller ends off the acorn squash so it will stand on its side. This will make it easier to cut.
- Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise. Cutting it lengthwise will maintain its shape. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon and discard them. You can also feed them to your chickens like I do.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the cut acorn squash cut sides up. I find baking it cut side down is harder to tell if it's tender.
- Brush the top of the squash with the olive oil. Sprinkle with ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper and roast it in the preheated oven for around 30 minutes until it’s soft and fork tender.
- While the squash bakes, dice the onion and apple. Add it to a skillet with 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Sauté over medium-high heat to make caramelized onions and soften the apples.
- Add the spicy sausage to the skillet with the vegetables and sauté over medium heat until it’s brown. Once it’s brown remove any excess oil from the sausage mixture and set it aside.
- Remove the roasted acorn squash from the oven once they’re done. Scoop the stuffing mixture into the wells of the squash. You can scoop out some of the excess meat of the acorn squash to allow more of the mixture to sit in the squash boats.
- Return the stuffed squash to the baking sheet and bake it in the oven for around 10 minutes.
- Remove the stuffed squash from the oven and sprinkle the tops with the parmesan cheese. Serve them warm.
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