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Easy Sausage and Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

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A festive and flavorful dish featuring roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory mixture of ground sausage, dried cranberries, pecans, and sage. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing meal that balances sweet and savory notes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Carefully cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp with a spoon.
  3. Brush cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the baking sheet.
  4. Roast squash for 30-35 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove and let cool slightly.
  5. While squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage, breaking it up, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
  6. Push sausage to one side; add olive oil if needed and sauté onions until translucent (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and sage, cooking for 1 minute.
  7. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Flip roasted squash cut-side up. Spoon the sausage mixture generously into each cavity.
  9. Return to oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until stuffing is heated through and slightly crispy.
  10. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra pecans or sage if desired.

Notes

If the squash is hard to cut, microwave it whole for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin. Toast pecans in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding to the stuffing for enhanced flavor. For a vegetarian version, swap sausage for lentils or tofu. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: acorn squash, stuffed squash, sausage recipe, cranberry stuffing, holiday dinner, vegetarian option, gluten-free, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/easy-sausage-and-cranberry-stuffed-acorn-squash/