Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash

There are three things you’ll love about this butternut squash stuffed with sausage recipe. First, it’s a delicious meal that makes the most of fall produce. Second, it has a gorgeous presentation fitting for a dinner party menu. And third, it’s much easier to put together than you might think.

You can serve sausage-stuffed butternut squash in generous portions as an entree, or as an interesting side or starter for a larger meal. Any way you serve it, you and everyone else at the table will be glad you did.

Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash Ingredients

• Butternut squash: You’ll need one butternut squash that weighs about 3 pounds for this recipe. Give it a quick rinse, but there’s no need to peel the skin off.
• Italian turkey sausage: We recommend using Italian turkey sausage with the casings removed. Store-bought sausages are perfectly fine, but I always find that sausages made by local butchers have a really good flavor. You can use a pork or chicken variety if you prefer
• Onion: Finely chop an onion before starting the recipe. A yellow onion will give a nice pungency to the filling, a white onion will have a mild pungency with more sweetness, and a red onion will have more of a spicy pungency.
• Garlic: The four garlic cloves can be minced with a knife or passed through the garlic press. You can also use frozen garlic cubes if you have them.
• Italian cheese blend: Italian cheese blends can include mozzarella, provolone, Asiago, Parmesan and Romano. You can buy bagged shredded cheese, but know it contains cellulose (an anti-caking agent), which dampens the flavor and texture of the cheese when melted. Shredding cheese fresh from the block is always worth the effort if you have the time and the willpower.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a spicy kick to this dish and are highly recommended unless one of your dining companions is quite spice-averse.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the squash

Preheat the broiler. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and discard the seeds. Place the squash in a large microwave-safe dish, cut side down, and add 1/2 inch of water. Microwave the squash, covered, on high until it’s soft, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the squash and let it cool slightly.

Step 2: Cook the sausage

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook and crumble the sausage with the onion over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink, five to seven minutes. Add the garlic, and stir and cook the mixture for one more minute.

Step 3: Stuff the squash

Leaving 1/2-inch-thick shells, scoop the flesh from the squash and stir it into the sausage mixture.

Then place the squash shells on a baking sheet and fill them with the sausage mixture.

Sprinkle the stuffed squash halves with cheese.

Step 4: Broil the squash

Broil the squash 4 to 5 inches from the heat until the cheese is melted, one to two minutes. If desired, sprinkle the squash with pepper flakes. To serve the squash, cut each half into two portions.

Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash Variations

• Add sweetness: While cooking the sausage, add golden raisins, diced apple or dried cranberries. After broiling the squash, top the halves with a few toasted pecans for a meal that perfectly balances sweet and savory.
• Use ground beef: If you have ground beef on hand, feel free to swap it in for the Italian sausage.
• Include veggies: Chopped bell pepper, sauteed spinach and mushrooms make tasty and colorful additions to this recipe. Add them along with the onion.
• Use a spicy sausage: If you like a little heat, make this meal with spicy Italian sausage. And don’t skimp on the red pepper flakes!

How to Store Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash

Once it has cooled completely, store any leftover stuffed butternut squash in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days. You can also freeze portions for up to three months.

How do you reheat sausage-stuffed butternut squash?

To reheat sausage-stuffed butternut squash, place the portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Warm them in a 350° oven until they’re heated through, about 15 minutes. You could also microwave the stuffed squash, but try to cut it up first; otherwise you might be dealing with uneven heating.

Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash Tips

Is butternut squash stuffed with sausage healthy?

“Healthy” means something different to everyone. Our standard of the word means using whole, nutritious foods as much as possible. If this is your understanding of “healthy,” then yes, this sausage-stuffed butternut squash is healthy. Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. It’s important for normal vision and a healthy immune system, and it helps the heart, lungs and kidneys function properly. Turkey sausage is also leaner than pork sausage.

How do you choose the best butternut squash?

When choosing the best butternut squash, look for a ripe one that is creamy tan or dark beige, with no green spots or streaks on the outside. The squash should have a matte finish, not a shiny or waxy one. A shiny finish may indicate that the squash was picked too early. Finally, a ripe butternut squash should feel heavy for its size.

What should I serve with this butternut squash and sausage dish?

Serve this butternut squash and sausage dish with a hearty winter salad, slices of crusty artisan bread or homemade garlic bread, roasted vegetables, a crispy coleslaw, orzo with Parmesan and basil or any other quick and easy side dishes.