Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

If there is one dish that makes my husband make noises when he eats, it’s Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash. Go figure. Out of all the dishes I make, this is the one meal that he absolutely loves.

This meal is comfort in your mouth. It’s loaded with fresh pork sausage, apples, homemade applesauce, pecans, and freshly grated cheese. It’s a winter squash and has the most creamy flesh inside and is just so delicious.

How to Cook an Acorn Squash

I love roasting acorn squash in the oven but you can certainly put them in a slow cooker.

1. First, cut the acorn squash in half, stem to end. Trim off the end that has the stubble on it, if needed, so it will lay flat on the cookie sheet.
2. Salt and pepper each half and then rub either butter, olive or avocado oil on each one.
3. Grab a cookie sheet and line with parchment paper.
4. Take each acorn squash half and lay them face down on the cookie sheet.
5. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour.

Simple Ways to Stuff the Acorn Squash

I love using basic ingredients that I have on hand but you can certainly change things up a bit.

• Try making a Mexican Vegetarian stuffed Acorn Squash using black beans, tomatoes, corn and spices like chili powder, garlic and cumin.
• Use shredded chicken, navy beans, mushrooms, bone broth and cheddar cheese.
• Add Rice, Farro or Quinoa to your variation for added fiber.
• Chicken sausage, diced pears and walnuts.

How to Make the Filling

1. Start with farm raised pork sausage. It’s definitely a game changer than using store bought. You can also make your own sausage using this recipe from Spend With Pennies. Heat up your iron skillet and cook the sausage.
2. Next, chop the apple into small pieces and add them to the skillet once the sausage is cooked. You can either use it with the skin on or peel them. Both taste great!
3. Add a pint size jar of applesauce/apple butter and stir together with the apples and sausage. I make my own and you can find my recipe here. Store bought is fine too.
4. Let the apples cook until they are soften.
5. Finally, add the chopped pecans.
6. Top with cheese and put back in the oven until nice and melted.

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Is Acorn Squash Healthy

Yes, it is! It’s loaded with potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Due to the thick skin, it can hold a shelf life from 1-4 months. They are great to buy in the Fall and then use them in winter meals.

Key Benefits:

Low calorie, high fiber: Promotes fullness, aids digestion, and supports weight management.

Heart health: Potassium and fiber help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.

Immune support: High in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Versatile: Can be roasted, mashed, or used in soups, retaining most nutrients when cooked.

Notes:

Values are approximate and can vary slightly based on squash size or preparation.

Skin is edible and adds fiber but is often removed for texture.

Cooking methods (e.g., baking vs. boiling) may affect nutrient retention, with roasting preserving more nutrients.

What to Serve with Acorn Squash

I like to serve a salad, roasted brussel sprouts, or southern green beans. You could also serve it with your favorite soup.

Supplies You May Need

• Cookie Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Pink Salt
• Slow Cooker
• Cheese Grater

Resources

https://draxe.com/nutrition/acorn-squash-nutrition/

https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Squash%2C_raw%2C_acorn%2C_winter_nutritional_value.html