Print

Cozy Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and Apple: Easy Fall Dinner

stuffed acorn squash with sausage and apple - featured image
Print Recipe

This cozy stuffed acorn squash with sausage and apple is the perfect fall dinner—tender squash halves filled with savory Italian sausage, sweet-tart apples, dried cranberries, and herbs, topped with a crunchy panko and pecan topping. Ready in about 50 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal that feels special but is simple to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash (about 1½ pounds each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, diced (about 1 cup)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Prepare the squash: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut each acorn squash in half from stem to tip. Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits with a spoon. Place the squash halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Brush the cut sides and cavities with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Roast the squash: Place the baking dish in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. The squash should be starting to soften but not fully cooked through.
  4. While the squash roasts, make the filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a bowl, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
  5. Cook the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the apple and herbs: Add the diced apple, dried cranberries, sage, and thyme to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any remaining bits from the pan. Let it simmer for about a minute until slightly reduced.
  7. Combine the filling: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Stuff the squash: Remove the partially roasted squash from the oven. Divide the filling evenly among the four squash halves, mounding it slightly in the center.
  9. Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil and the chopped pecans or walnuts if using. Mix with your fingers until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle this mixture over the stuffed squash.
  10. Finish baking: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes. The squash should be fork-tender and the topping should be golden brown. If the topping is browning too quickly around the 15-minute mark, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.
  11. Rest and serve: Let the stuffed squash rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Pre-roasting the squash before adding the filling is essential to prevent overcooked filling. Choose squash that can sit flat; if they wobble, slice a thin piece off the bottom. Use firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith to avoid applesauce texture. The filling can be made up to two days in advance. For a vegetarian version, swap sausage for 1½ cups cooked lentils or plant-based sausage crumble.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed acorn squash, sausage and apple, fall dinner, cozy dinner, acorn squash recipe, easy fall recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/cozy-stuffed-acorn-squash-with-sausage-and-apple-easy-fall-dinner/