Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

Fall is here, and with it comes the delightful and robust flavors of seasonal produce paired with hearty ingredients. Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that embodies the essence of autumn: Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash. This dish not only brings warmth and comfort to your table but also offers a burst of flavors that blend perfectly with the sweet, nutty profile of butternut squash.

Ingredients

This recipe serves up to four people, making it an ideal choice for a family dinner or a cozy meal with friends. Here’s what you’ll need:

Roasted Butternut Squash:

• 2 medium or large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper

Sausage Filling:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 14 oz spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 4 oz fresh spinach
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preparing the Squash:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. Prepare the squash: Halve the butternut squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper.
3. Roast: Place them cut side down on a lined baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes until tender.

Making the Filling:

1. Sauté the onions: In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until slightly charred, about 2 minutes.
2. Cook the sausage: Add the crumbled sausage, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the sausage is well browned.
3. Add greens and nuts: Stir in the spinach and cook until it wilts. Then, mix in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans.

Stuffing the Squash:

1. Prepare the roasted squash: Once the squash is roasted and slightly cooled, scoop out some of the flesh to make room for the filling. Be sure to leave about a 1-inch border to hold the filling.
2. Fill ’em up: Stuff the squash halves with the sausage mixture, pressing gently to fill the space evenly.
3. Reheat if needed: If everything has cooled down, you might want to pop the stuffed squash back into the oven for a few minutes just to reheat.

Serving:

• Serve the stuffed butternut squash warm, topped with freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh thyme for an added touch of flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of this hearty dish has approximately 762 kcal, which makes it not only a satisfying centerpiece for your meal but also a nutritious option that brings together vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.

Conclusion

This Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe is a celebration of fall flavors. It’s a perfect dish to impress your guests or to pamper your family with a special meal. The combination of spicy sausage, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans stuffed into a soft and creamy butternut squash will surely make your autumn meals memorable. Enjoy the process of making it and even more so, the joy of eating it!