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Cozy Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and Cranberries

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A comforting and rustic holiday side dish featuring roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, cranberries, herbs, and breadcrumbs. It balances sweet, tart, and savory flavors for a stress-free meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • Olive oil (for roasting)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), removed from casing
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup fresh sage or thyme, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. Wash squash and cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and pulp with a spoon. Brush inside with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.
  3. While squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage, breaking it into crumbles, for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and celery for 5 minutes until softened. Add herbs and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, cranberries, breadcrumbs, cheese (if using), and broth. Mix until moist but not soggy. Adjust seasoning.
  6. Remove squash from oven and flip cut-side up. Spoon stuffing evenly into each half, packing down slightly.
  7. Return to oven and roast for another 10-15 minutes until stuffing is heated through and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Choose dark green, matte-finish squash that feels heavy for its size. If stuffing looks dry, add more broth; if wet, add more breadcrumbs. Let the squash rest after roasting to allow flavors to meld and stuffing to set. Can be made ahead by prepping stuffing 24 hours in advance.

Nutrition

Keywords: acorn squash, stuffed squash, holiday side dish, cranberry sausage, vegetarian option, gluten-free option, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/cozy-stuffed-acorn-squash-best-easy-recipe/