Acorn squash, a unique and versatile winter squash, takes center stage in this flavorful and hearty dish. Its naturally sweet and nutty flavor pairs perfectly with savory Italian sausage, tender penne pasta, and a rich and creamy sauce. This stuffed acorn squash recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Alongside the main recipe, you'll also find variations that cater to different dietary preferences, including a vegetarian version with roasted vegetables and a gluten-free option using quinoa instead of pasta. Whether you're looking for a comforting weeknight meal or an impressive dish for a special occasion, this acorn squash stuffed with Italian sausage and penne is sure to delight.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
SAUSAGE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Acorn squash gets a sweet and savory treatment when stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries to make this pretty autumn entree. Cooking the squash in the microwave makes this quick enough for a busy weeknight. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Halve squash lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash in a microwave-safe dish, cut side down. Microwave, covered, on high until tender, 10-12 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble sausage with onion over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain. Remove from heat; stir in spinach, cranberries and bread crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and milk; add to sausage mixture and toss until moistened. , Turn over squash; fill with sausage mixture. Microwave, covered, until a thermometer inserted in stuffing reads 165°, 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 485 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 133mg cholesterol, Sodium 843mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE-STUFFED SQUASH
From Troy, Ontario, Ruth Lee writes, "A neighbor gave me this recipe and was so enthusiastic about it, I had to try it. This is absolutely the best way I know to serve acorn squash."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place cut side down in a microwave-safe 11x7-in. baking dish. Cover and microwave on high for 10-12 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, crumble sausage into a large skillet; add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper., Turn squash cut side up. Stuff with sausage mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts :
ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE & PENNE
Make and share this Acorn Squash Stuffed With Italian Sausage & Penne recipe from Food.com.
Provided by KelBel
Categories Penne
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Season the squash with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, flesh side up and add 1/2 cup water to the pan. Cover with alluminum foil and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- In a large saute pan, over medium heat, brown the sausage and onions, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the sausage and onions with the pasta sauce, pasta, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Spoon the pasta mixture into the cavity of each squash. Place the filled squashes on a baking sheet and place in the oven.
- Bake until the squash is heated through and the cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 689, Fat 26.7, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 57.4, Sodium 1398.9, Carbohydrate 90, Fiber 13.2, Sugar 13, Protein 25.6
SUNNY'S ITALIAN SAUSAGE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Provided by Sunny Anderson
Categories side-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the squash on a baking sheet flesh-side up and rub with the olive oil. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Roast until the edges begin to ripple and a poke with a fork reveals tender flesh, about 40 minutes. Allow to cool until easy to handle.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a large bowl, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh within the skin of each squash half to help it maintain its shape.
- For the filling: In a large pan on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and sausage. While cooking, break the sausage into bits like ground meat with a wooden spoon. Once some of the fat is rendered from the sausage, add the onions, paprika, pumpkin pie spice, sage, celery, bell peppers and a pinch of salt. Cook until the sausage is done and the vegetables are tender.
- Add the mixture to the bowl of squash along with the cheese, walnuts and cranberries and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Fill the hollowed squash halves with the mixture and place back in the oven to melt the cheese and make the tops golden brown, 15 more minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
Tips:
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked Italian sausage or penne pasta.
- If you don't have a muffin tin, you can also bake the stuffed acorn squash in a baking dish.
- For a vegetarian version of this recipe, you can substitute tofu or tempeh for the Italian sausage.
- To make the dish even more flavorful, you can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or a dollop of pesto sauce before serving.
Conclusion:
Acorn squash stuffed with Italian sausage and penne is a delicious and easy-to-make fall dish. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its combination of sweet squash, savory sausage, and cheesy pasta, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
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