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Cozy Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and Apples

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A hearty and cozy weeknight dinner featuring roasted acorn squash filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, caramelized apples, onions, and sage. This recipe balances sweet and smoky flavors for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
  • 2 medium firm apples (e.g., Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or regular)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Wash and dry the acorn squash. Carefully cut in half from stem to root. If hard, microwave for 2 minutes to soften.
  3. Scoop out seeds and pulp from each half. Drizzle cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the baking sheet.
  4. Roast squash for 25-30 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  5. While squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove sausage, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
  6. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and sage, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Add diced apples to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softening. Return sausage to the pan.
  8. Stir in brown sugar and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to thicken.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in breadcrumbs to absorb moisture.
  10. Remove squash from oven and flip cut-side up. Stuff with the sausage and apple mixture.
  11. Return to oven and roast for another 5-10 minutes until stuffing is heated through and lightly golden.
  12. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra sage if desired.

Notes

If the squash is difficult to cut, microwave it for 2 minutes first to soften the skin. For a vegetarian option, swap sausage for lentils or tofu. To freeze, store the stuffing separately from the squash, as the squash can become mushy when frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: acorn squash, stuffed squash, sausage recipe, apple stuffing, fall dinner, cozy meals, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/cozy-stuffed-acorn-squash-with-sausage-and-apples/