Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Name: Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 2 medium acorn squash; 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Acorn squash gets a sweet and savory treatment when stuffed with sausage, onion, spinach and cranberries to make this pretty autumn entree. Cooking the squash in the microwave makes this quick enough for a busy weeknight. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients

2 medium acorn squash
1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 large egg
2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

Halve squash lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash in a microwave-safe dish, cut side down. Microwave, covered, on high until tender, 10-12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble sausage with onion over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain. Remove from heat; stir in spinach, cranberries and bread crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and milk; add to sausage mixture and toss until moistened.
Turn over squash; fill with sausage mixture. Microwave, covered, until a thermometer inserted in stuffing reads 165°, 2-3 minutes.

Editor's Note

To make soft bread crumbs, tear bread into pieces and place in a food processor or blender. Cover and pulse until crumbs form. One slice of bread yields 1/2 to 3/4 cup crumbs.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed squash half: 485 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 843mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein.

Originally published as Cran-Sausage Stuffed Squash in Simple & Delicious September/October 2006

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Beema

Mar 2, 2018

I saw this recipe in the Feb/Mar 2018 issue of S&D, and I just happened to have an acorn squash on hand. Only two of us, so I cut the recipe in half. So easy, so good. I have made these before but never in the microwave,.. I will do it this way from here on our. Thanks, Test Kitchen
Cook_aholic

Nov 22, 2017

I have to tell you what your recipe did for me... I have a no-sodium hubby so I used your acorn squash stuffing to basically make dressing. I saw the recipe from Simple & Delicious way back a long time ago. I had to use much less spicy sausage but I combined a little of it with regular ground pork and I made my bread crumbs from bread I buy that has no salt added. I had to add some broth but make my own so no salt there either. Thanks...turned out great.
tuscalooso

Oct 2, 2016

Delicious! Been using this recipe for several years now when local acorn squash is in season. I also try to make all the recipes to the tee from this site to get a true sense of the recipe. A winner!
DeliciouslyResourceful_Gina

Apr 17, 2016

This was very different and good. The microwave preparation worked, and the cranberries were a nice touch (2 things I was skeptical about). I made a few changes. I used regular sausage because my one year old would be eating with us. I also used double the amount of breadcrumbs and onion, diced pepper instead of spinach because I did not have any spinach, and I had three small/medium acorn squash. It would have been enough to stuff four squash as we had extra filling. I would like to try it with spinach but will make these other changes again. There would be too much sausage following the recipe exactly, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars.
brocktoon

Nov 11, 2015

Good concept but yields a flavorless dud.The problem with the recipe is you should never not roast a squash and the squash with mix in the oven. Microwaving just makes everything soggy. Further, no seasonings, not even salt or pepper are added for flavor.I made it again but with some additional ingredients and different heating method.After cutting the squash in half and scooping out the innards, line the halved squash with brown sugar and a little bit of salt. Roast for about 10 minutes so it caramelizes and the salt brings out the flavors. Do the same mixture provided but add either oregano, rosemary, or even Italian seasoning if you have it, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Put the mixture within the squashes, and roast again until the meat is cooked.
katlaydee3

Oct 6, 2014

This was a really good recipe. I made half exactly as written and the other half vegan for my niece. For her portion I used vegan "meat" crumbles and left out the milk and egg. I mixed mine up first and used it as a model for hers; which I slowly added water to match the consistency. She actually liked it better than me and said she is going to make it again for Thanksgiving for herself and my sister who is also vegan.
hspin

Jul 18, 2014

Really good. My husband was very surprised that it was from the microwave.
cookingat#8

Dec 5, 2013

Very good, i will definitely make again.
angieherzberger

Nov 11, 2013

So delicious!
scsvatek

Nov 12, 2012

I have made this several times and we love it. It is super easy, very tasty and unlike most of our other recipes. My husband was leary at first, but the spicy sausage and cranberry won him over.