Description
Italian Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash is a fall-inspired recipe that features tender, roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, apples, onions, celery, and a variety of aromatic herbs. This dish is an ideal balance of savory and sweet, with the rich flavor of Italian sausage and the natural sweetness of the apples complementing each other perfectly. The roasted squash serves as the perfect vessel for this delicious filling, creating a dish that’s not only flavorful but visually stunning.
Ingredients
2 medium acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work great)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried sage (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
½ tsp thyme
½ cup breadcrumbs (or cooked quinoa for gluten-free)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
¼ cup chicken broth or apple cider (for moisture)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Roast the Squash
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Brush squash halves with olive oil, season with salt & pepper, and place cut-side down on a baking sheet.
Roast for 25–30 minutes, until fork-tender.
Make the Filling
In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned (5–7 minutes).
Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
Stir in the diced apple, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook another 3–4 minutes until apples are just tender.
Add breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Stir in chicken broth or apple cider until the mixture is moist but not soggy.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Stuff & Bake
Turn roasted squash halves cut-side up. Fill each with the sausage-apple mixture.
Return to oven and bake 15 minutes more, until heated through and golden on top.
Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
This Italian Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash is perfect for cozy fall dinners! Try topping it with a sprinkle of parmesan or fresh herbs like thyme or sage before serving for an extra burst of flavor. You can also swap Italian sausage for turkey sausage or plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting & Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed squash half
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Stuffed Acorn Squash, Italian Sausage Stuffed Squash, Apple Sausage Squash, Fall Squash Recipe