Description
This Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is a cozy, fall-inspired meal that combines sweet roasted acorn squash with a savory stuffing made of turkey sausage, apples, cranberries, herbs, and vegetables. It’s a wholesome, flavorful dish that’s perfect for quick dinners, healthy comfort food cravings, or elegant holiday meals. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, a hearty lunch, or a seasonal food idea that feels festive, this dish delivers everything in one edible bowl.
Ingredients
2 medium acorn squash
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey sausage
1 small onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 small apple, chopped
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon fresh sage
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth (optional, for moisture)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut acorn squash in half and scoop out seeds.
2. Brush the cut sides with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place face down on a baking sheet. Roast for 30–40 minutes until tender.
3. While squash is roasting, heat olive oil in a skillet and cook turkey sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, sauté onion and celery for 5–7 minutes. Add chopped apple and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
5. Return sausage to the pan. Add cranberries, breadcrumbs, herbs, and broth. Stir until combined and heated through.
6. Flip squash upright and stuff generously with the filling.
7. Bake stuffed squash for 10–15 minutes until golden on top.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Choose squash that feel heavy for their size and have firm skin.
To save time, prepare the filling a day in advance.
Add grated parmesan on top before the final bake for a cheesy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed squash half
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: turkey stuffed acorn squash, fall recipe, healthy dinner, quick dinner idea, gluten free option