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Healthy Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash Apple Recipe

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A savory-sweet fall dinner featuring tender roasted acorn squash stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground turkey, apple, sage, and warm spices. This forgiving recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound ground turkey or chicken (93% lean)
  • 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced
  • ½ cup onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for topping)
  • Fresh parsley or extra sage (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut each acorn squash in half from stem to tip. Scoop out seeds and stringy pulp. Brush cut sides and cavities with olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Place squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes until fork-tender. Flip over and set aside.
  3. While squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground turkey or chicken to the skillet. Cook 5-7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  5. Add diced apple, fresh sage, dried thyme, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes until apple softens slightly. Stir in broth and optional dried cranberries; simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  6. Flip roasted squash halves cut-side up on the baking sheet. Spoon filling evenly into each cavity, mounding slightly. Return to oven and bake 10-12 minutes until hot and filling is lightly browned.
  7. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with pecans or walnuts if using. Let rest 2-3 minutes. Garnish with parsley or extra sage if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey. Don’t overcook the squash; start checking at 25 minutes. Season in layers. If using dried sage, use 1 teaspoon instead of fresh. For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked lentils or crumbled firm tofu.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed acorn squash, healthy fall dinner, ground turkey recipe, apple and sage, gluten-free dinner, sheet pan meal

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/healthy-sausage-stuffed-acorn-squash-apple-recipe/