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For nights when you want your dinner to give you a hug: Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash. This recipe is unabashedly cozy, low carb, and packed with protein and vegetables.

stuffed acorn squash with sausage and cheese on a plate

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

  • Filling Without Being Heavy. As with this Stuffed Butternut Squash and Spaghetti Squash Lasagna, stuffed squash recipes are hearty and satisfying, but this sausage stuffed acorn squash isn’t the kind of recipe that will leave you feeling uncomfortably stuffed or weighed down.
  • Cozy Flavor. Golden acorn squash is baked until caramelized and tender, stuffed with everything delicious (apples! sausage! mushrooms!), and finished with Parmesan cheese, which is nutty and becomes bubbly and crisp while the squash bakes.
  • Goes From Main Dish to Side Dish. In addition to being a stellar weeknight main, this stuffed acorn squash with sausage is special enough to serve as an extra hearty side at a holiday meal. (For a more standard sized acorn squash side dish, try these brown sugar and pecan Baked Acorn Squash Slices.)
  • Excellent Leftovers. Stuffed acorn squash is still delicious the next day—and even the day after that! If you’re looking for a dish you can make on the weekend and enjoy for dinner later in the week, this is it.
the best stuffed acorn squash recipe with sausage and filling

5 Star Review

“This dish is excellent! I have made it 4 times now and it’s a huge success every time!”

— Kim —

How to Make Stuffed Acorn Squash

The Ingredients

  • Italian Sausage. Italian chicken or turkey sausage is one of my favorite ingredients to add loads of flavor to a recipe, while keeping it lean (my Italian Sausage Skillet, Sausage and Peppers, and Sausage and Rice Casserole are a few other favorites). You can use sweet or spicy Italian sausage, depending upon your and your family’s preference. We use spicy. I like its counterpoint to the sweetness of the squash.
  • Apples. The combination of apple and sausage is so tasty with acorn squash. The apples become nice and tender. I like to leave the peels on; you can’t taste them, and they provide a few extra nutrients. (For another favorite savory apple recipe, check out Pork Chops With Apples.)
  • Mushrooms. Chopped finely, the mushrooms nearly disappear into the filling, leaving you only with an extra savory flavor. If you are cooking for non-mushroom fans, you can omit them for a still delicious, simple recipe for apple sausage stuffed acorn squash.
  • Onion + Garlic. To up the savory factor and complexity.
  • Sage and/or Thyme. These two classic fresh herbs make the squash taste special. Don’t use dried. Fresh will give you the results with which you will be the most happy.
  • Nutmeg and Allspice. Both are classic pairings with acorn squash. They make this stuffed acorn squash recipe taste like home.
  • Parmesan. For a nutty, extra Italian finish.

The Directions

scooping out the inside of an acorn squash to roast and stuff
  1. Prep the Squash. Cut the squash, and scoop out the seeds.
perfectly roasted acorns squash on a baking dish
  1. Bake. Lay the halves cut-sides up on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes at 400 degrees F, until tender. Set aside.
browning sausage in skillet for sausage stuffed squash
  1. Start the Filling. Brown the sausage in a large skillet.
stuffed acorn squash filling on a stovetop
  1. Add the Next Few Ingredients. Stir in the vegetables, apple, salt, and spices. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through.
filling for healthy stuffed acorn squash recipe
  1. Finish the Filling. Scoop out the squash flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch on all sides to act as a “wall”. Add the removed squash to the sausage mixture. Stir in the herbs and cheese.
stuffed acorn squash on a baking sheet
  1. Bake. Mound the filling inside of the squash halves. Sprinkle extra cheese over the top, and bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes until hot and melty. Serve hot, and ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

  • Add a Grain. Stir 1 1/2 cups of a cooked whole grain into the filling prior to stuffing the squash. Wild rice stuffed acorn squash or stuffed squash with quinoa, or farro would be wonderful.
  • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash. Follow this same recipe, but bake and stuff butternut squash halves instead. Note: you will need to adjust the baking time for the butternut squash halves, as it will need a bit longer (45 to 55 minutes) than the acorn squash.
  • Paleo Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash. Omit the cheese; ensure you are using a paleo-friendly sausage.
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Apples, and Cranberries. Prior to stuffing the squash, stir 1/4 cup dried cranberries into the filling.
  • Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash. Swap the sausage for a 15-ounce can of rinsed and drained white beans, such as cannellini or white kidney beans. Stir the beans into the filling right before stuffing the squash. Vegan sausage can also be used here.
roasted and stuffed acorn squash recipe

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Place in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat. Place stuffed acorn squash in a baking dish with a small amount of water in the bottom. Tent with foil, then rewarm in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until hot.
  • To Freeze. Let the squash cool to room temperature. Place one half of stuffed squash into a quart size freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Put in the fridge until well chilled, and then transfer to the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat From Frozen. To reheat, remove a frozen squash half, and place it a in covered casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for and 45 to 50 minutes (from frozen). Add additional cheese as desired in the last 10 minutes of baking. You can also reheat the squash half in the microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes.
    • If you prefer, you can let the squash half thaw overnight in the refrigerator and rewarm according to the “To Reheat” directions above.

Meal Prep Tip

You can roast the acorn squash halves or make the filling up to two days in advance to get a head start. Or make both and stuff the acorn squash too! Cover the stuffed squash and refrigerate for up to two days before baking.

Leftover Ideas

My other favorite way to eat leftovers is to scoop out the filling, mix it with cooked rice and sautéed greens, then sprinkle it with extra cheese for an acorn squash “bowl” effect.

the best stuffed acorn squash recipe with sausage

What to Serve with Stuffed Acorn Squash

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Know How to Cut Acorn Squash. The easiest way to cut acorn squash is from stem to end. Lay your squash on its side, and use a sharp chef’s knife to carefully make a cut on one side between two of the ridges. Keep pressure on the knife until you feel it reach the hollow center. If you feel your knife getting stuck, pull it out and start your cut again. Continue cutting on the same line, repositioning and flipping your squash over as needed, until you’ve cut all the way through around the bottom of the squash on both sides.
  • Cut on the Dotted Line. I like to score the flesh first to make sure I can safely cut all the way through the squash. To score, use the sharp tip to make a series of incisions in the shape of a dotted line, then cut all the way through the dotted as directed above.
  • Pull the Squash Apart. Unless you’re using a very sharp chef’s knife, do not cut through the stem. Instead, lay your knife down, and grab the bottom end of the two halves, pulling them apart. The stem will stay on only one half, and you can leave it on for the roasting process.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

4.85 from 188 votes
This cozy, hearty Stuffed Acorn Squash with sausage and mushrooms is a fantastic blend of sweet and savory flavors. Easy and delicious!

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For The Squash:

  • 2 acorn squash halved through from the stem to the base and seeds removed
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

For The Filling:

  • 1 pound Italian chicken or turkey sausage about 2 links, casings removed, sweet or spicy (we use spicy)
  • 8 ounces cremini baby bella mushrooms finely chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped
  • 1 medium sweet-crisp apple cored and finely diced (peel off or on; I left it on)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage thyme, or a mix (plus additional for serving)
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided

Instructions
 

  • Bake the squash: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. With a sharp, sturdy chef’s knife, carefully cut the squash in half from stem to base. Scoop out and discard the stringy core and seeds. Arrange the halves cut-sides up on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush each half with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the edges begin to wrinkle and the flesh is fork-tender. Set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
  • While the squash bakes, prepare the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage. Brown the meat, breaking it apart into small pieces for 3 minutes.
  • Add the mushrooms, onion, apple, salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is cooked through, the vegetables and apple are softened, have given up liquid, and the liquid has cooked off, about 8 additional minutes.
  • When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out its flesh, leaving a wall all the way around that is about 1/4-inch thick. Add the scooped squash to the pan with the sausage. Add the herbs and ¼ cup Parmesan. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
  • Mound the filling inside of the hollowed squash halves. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the top. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is nice and hot, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs as desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Place in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Place stuffed acorn squash in a baking dish with a small amount of water in the bottom. Rewarm in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until hot.
  • TO FREEZE: Place one half of cooked stuffed squash into a quart size freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Put in the fridge until well chilled, and then transfer to the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • TO REHEAT FROM FROZEN: To reheat, remove a frozen squash half, and place it in a covered casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for and 45 to 50 minutes (from frozen). Add additional cheese as desired in the last 10 minutes of baking. You can also reheat the squash half in the microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes.
    • If you prefer, you can let the squash half thaw overnight in the refrigerator and rewarm according to the “To Reheat” directions above.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 26gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgPotassium: 1330mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1087IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 263mgIron: 13mg

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253 Comments

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  1. This looks and sounds delicious! I am going to make it for a friend’s birthday party this coming Friday. Thanks for your recipe.

  2. I made this a couple months ago and it was awesome! My husband and I don’t usually like squash… too sweet and mushy. This recipe is great with extra savory sausage and cheese, and plenty of non-squishy textures. It’s also plenty filling and makes a great little meal. Give it a shot! It was easy and worked well on the first try. Can’t wait to make it again!5 stars

  3. I enjoyed this dish very much and it was easy to follow.  I had ground turkey meat, I thought it maybe be too stiff and dry  so I added 1 pork sausage, and pieces of bacon.  I used fresh thyme because it is what I had and since I’ve seen a lot of subs in the comments I knew I would t ruin it by changing couple of things.  I really wanted to use my acorns already, not because I didn’t like the original recipe.  Mine turned out hearty low card meal.  Almost too filling for me.  Next tome I’ll forgo the bacon for sure, and maybe even sausage.  
    This was the first time I had acorn squash, I would eat it baked out of the over with salt, pepper and olive oil just like that.  I liked how squash flavor blended with meat, taking the edge off the meatiness and complementing the mushroom.  Loved the fall scent and flavors of nutmeg and allspice.  5 stars

  4. This recipe was super easy to make! I subbed allspice for cloves, and it was great. I also loved that this left me with very few dishes to wash— just a cutting board, mixing bowl, and a frying pan (plus utensils). I’d highly recommend this dish as a nice healthy fall dinner!5 stars

    1. Charlet, I honestly think that’s tough—the oven is your best bet. Otherwise, you could try slicing each squash into a few big pieces and gently reheating it in the microwave.

  5. Wonderful flavor and a very satisfying fall meal! Everyone loved it. Using fresh herbs really made a difference. (One note: the prep time listed does not include time for finely chopping the ingredients.) I will be making this again soon.5 stars

  6. This recipe sounds delicious and I’m planning on making it for dinner tonight, but I have one question. This may seem like a silly question, but I have never cooked or eaten acorn squash before. Do you only eat the filling and use the outer shell as a serving vessel, or do you eat the entire squash?

    1. Hi Ron – not silly at all! While the peel is edible, it is a matter of personal preference. If you find that you enjoy the peel, feel free to eat it too!

  7. The ingredients list 2 cloves of garlic but there is no mention in the directions on when to add it. Does it go in with the onion?

    1. Hi Cynthia! You’ll add the garlic with the mushrooms and spices. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!

  8. This is SUPER yummy! I used rotisserie chicken and I had to substitute cloves for nutmeg, since I didn’t have any. It was crazy good. I also saved the seeds from the acorn squash and fried them in my air fryer with some chili lime seasoning. Don’t miss out on that!5 stars

  9. I had this at a friends house yesterday. I loved it!!! We all loved it!!! Today on my lunch hour I went to the grocery to pick up the ingredients I didn’t already have and made it for dinner tonight!!! Great and hearty fall meal! Thank you so much for this fabulous recipe! I’ve sent it to a few of my foodie friends. I know they’ll enjoy it!5 stars

  10. This was amazing! I skipped the shrooms, cut the recipe in half and just wagered on the amount of the spices, etc. Can’t wait for more.5 stars

  11. Perfect meal for a chilly fall night. I added fresh cranberries and kale, and cooked them down in the sausage mixture with a little chicken broth to mix up the filling! I can always count on finding a great recipe here when I search based on ingredients I have on hand :)5 stars

  12. This was so delicious! I added brown rice as suggested! It was so filling and satisfying! And tasted like fall! I added roasted brussel sprouts and a spinach salad! Perfect accompaniments! 5 star!!!5 stars

  13. Wow, this recipe was absolutely delicious! My grocery store didn’t carry any acorn squash, so I made it with spaghetti squash and it was still amazingly tasty! I added in some extra cinnamon which balanced nicely with the apples. Can’t wait to try it again with acorn squash!5 stars

  14. This sounds very tasty! Can’t wait to try it out. Quick question on the sausage, in the ingredients list it says 1 lb of the chicken or turkey sausage, but then says about 2 links. Which amount would be correct for the regular 1x recipe ratio? Most sausages at my grocery store 2 links would be about 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound. I’m sure it would be tasty with either amount but don’t want to short change or over do on the first time around. :) Thanks!

    1. Hi Anna! The number of links can definitely differ based on brand, so I’d recommend using whatever amount gives you 1 pound. I hope you enjoy the recipe!

  15. My 7 year old and I loved this recipe! Never had stuffed acorn squash before, but now it must become a fall staple. Thanks for the storage and reheat instructions as well!

    My son doesn’t like mushrooms :( so I substituted diced zucchini as I think both are slightly “earthy”.5 stars

  16. This was excellent! I really enjoyed it and it was pretty easy to prepare. I used less oil, just sprayed it on, and more parmesan–adding it to the filling as well as putting it on top–and probably less sausage because I just used what I had in the fridge, and it was great! Thanks, it was just what I wanted.5 stars

  17. I made this for dinner tonight and the sweet and savory combo was on point!! So delicious!!! Thanks for sharing it =)5 stars

  18. This is an OMG recipe! Better than anything else on the Thanksgiving menu…It’s at least 5 stars! Used apple chicken sausage and peeled the casings off. Added wild rice but it really wasn’t necessary. Fit for royalty.5 stars

  19. Delicious. Made an excellent winter dinner. Will definitely make it again. Prepared squash in AM and saved final baking until evening. Got it out of refrigerator an hour early to come up to room temp and then baked it for 20. Great! Thinking about adding more apple next time as well as some chopped walnuts for crunch.5 stars

  20. My second time making this recipe. I had to make some modifications. I didn’t have apples nor mushrooms. So I used half a can of apple pie filling and a can of cream of mushroom soup. I also added a hand full of dried cranberries and walnuts. Then I topped it with mozzarella cheese and fresh ground Parmigiano. It was awesome.5 stars

  21. Very tasty! I didn’t have any parmesan on hand but I did have some leftover ricotta, which gave the filling a nice creamy texture. I also left out the mushrooms (neither my husband and I are mushroom fans) and went for extra sausage instead, and it worked out pretty well!5 stars

  22. I made this last night and it came out great and it’s an easy recipe. Per some others’ suggestions I added dried cranberries and walnuts to half just before stuffing the squash and we liked that better than the plain. The added texture of the walnuts was a plus. I don’t even like mushrooms but it ended up being like the mushrooms in chinese chicken lettuce wraps – you don’t really taste them and the rubbery texture is hidden. I’m not a big fan of sausage so next time I think I will try ground turkey mixed with some wild rice. I like how flexible the recipe can be.5 stars

  23. One of the best meals I’ve made for myself in a long time! Super easy if you have the time to cook the squash. I cooked the squash mostly, went ice skating, then finished it all off. Yum.5 stars

  24. This is one of the best acorn squash recipes I have come across!! I made a few substitutes and additions from what I had available! I used roasted garlic chicken sausage because I couldn’t find spicy Italian! I also used apple pie spice (cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg) because I didn’t have nutmeg. I also added a pinch of red pepper flakes. Added some finely chopped celery and carrots for texture as well. It came out perfect!! Will absolutely make again! Thank you!!!!5 stars

  25. Delicious! Absolutely love this – and even my toddlers did, too!! Thanks for another great dish to add to our dinner rotation!5 stars

  26. I didnt have sausage so i used salami and omitted the mushrooms. The family loved it and I will be making it again.5 stars

  27. Awesome! Only changes I made were browning the meat along with the vegetables because I live at altitude and it always takes longer for them to cook. Also went heavy on the spices but I do that with every recipe I find on the internet. But overall I would definitely make this again. Did use spicy sausage.5 stars

  28. Delish. I used spicey Italian chicken sausage and no mushrooms (didn’t have them). I enjoyed the sweet and savory taste. Will definitely repeT.5 stars

  29. This is one of our go-to dinners. We absolutely love it. We usually substitute a can of Apple Pie Filling or Apple Sauce instead of an actual apple, and it gives it a really sweet flavor. Since I hate mushrooms and onions, we substitute onion powder and just skip the mushrooms. Cheers!5 stars

  30. Made the recipe as is just tonight and its soooo good. My partner doesnt really like bread stuffings so this was the perfect recipe for me to find and it came out perfect. The filling is the exact amount you need and it’s a wonderful mix of savory and sweet. I used hot Italian sausage and added extra parmesan because we like parmesan but I am so so happy I tried this out. The perfect autumn recipe and is going to become a repeat recipe for us.5 stars

  31. Made this 3 links of BeyondMeat Hot Italian sausage. MY husband ate the whole things and said we should defiantly make this again. Used Dry sage, since I didnt have fresh, and was absolutely delicious!!5 stars

  32. This was delicious, will definitely make again next fall. My store didn’t have Italian chicken sausage so I used pork, the only change I made. Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

  33. This was really tasty and perfect for fall! Loved the blend of flavors and use of wholesome ingredients. Thank you for the great recipe – will definitely make again :)5 stars

  34. Generally this was pretty good. However, I think I’d add rice or couscous to the mix to make the filling a little less squash-y. Mozzarella might also be a good addition.3 stars

  35. I’ve made this today and it tasted weird to the point that I had to toss half of it. I used cooked Italian chicken sausage since the recipe called for turkey or chicken and that’s what was available at the store. It may have been better with regular Italian sausage. The apple flavor didn’t come through at all and sage and spices added made the stuffing taste overly spiced and strange. The roasted squash was really good on its on before the stuffing. The recipe sounded good on the books but didn’t work for me so I won’t attempt to remake it.2 stars

    1. I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t a hit for you, Polina. Many others have tried it and enjoyed it, but I know everyone has different tastes. I truly wish you would’ve enjoyed it!

  36. Loved this recipe! Not a huge hit with a 3 and 1 year old, but that is to be expected. My husband and I loved it. I added dried 1/2 c or so of cranberries, a big handful of spinach, and a shake of bread crumbs (idea from another recipe). I didn’t have mushrooms on hand- but will try that next time! Broiled the stuffed acorn squash the last 3-5 mins of the 15 minute cook time. So good! A delicious fall recipe!5 stars

  37. This was phenomenal! (I made my own Whole30 friendly sweet italian pork sausage (TastesofLizzyT.com) to use for this.) It’s even better the next day. Thanks for the wonderful recipe. This one will be on repeat this fall and winter.5 stars

  38. This was a HUGE hit! I will definitely add it to our fall/winter meal rotation. What size squash did you use? There were varying sizes at the super market and I think the one I used may have been too small.5 stars

  39. Such a great recipe. My whole family loves it.
    I buy fairly large squash and we just each eat a half as our entree along with some fruit or simple dressed greens.
    Last time I made these I ran out of Parmesan, so I used some provolone and that was delicious. Someday I might try adding dried cranberries, or toasted finely chopped walnuts.5 stars

  40. I loved this so so much. It was savory and satisfying and healthy. Perfect beginning to fall cooking. I’ve tried various stuffed acorn squash recipes but this one strikes the perfect balance. Thanks- this one is in the rotation!! Peace.5 stars

  41. This was amazing!!! Made exactly as written!! Flavors were off the chart ridiculous made brussel sprouts slaw to go with. Thank you for yet another great recipe!5 stars

  42. This recipe is a WINNER!!! I could honestly go on and on about how this is a perfect fall recipe. I cooked it for a dinner party of 6 ladies and they could not stop talking about how much they loved this recipe. Great recipe for a dinner party because it’s easy to make, gluten free and can also accommodate lactose intolerant folks if you leave the cheese until the very end for those who want it like I did. Even without the cheese the flavor of the spices and the hot Italian chicken sausage shined through and paired perfectly with the sweetness of the apple and squash.5 stars

  43. Loved this recipe!! Followed directions exactly using Italian mild chicken sausage. Flavors were delicious! Will be making again this fall/winter!5 stars

  44. So yummy – used hot Italian sausage and was really happy with the spices/herbs in the recipe; the apple worked really well. Skipped fresh sage bc I didn’t have any – maybe next time I’ll add that but the spice/herb taste was great without!5 stars

  45. I made a variant of this recipe. I’m a vegetarian so I used a sausage substitute ( Field Roast, Apple Sage flavor, if anyone is curious). It was so easy and delicious! It was served with a brown gravy and some asparagus. It was like early Thanksgiving. I will definitely be making this again.5 stars

    1. Hi Billie! I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your taste. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it, so I truly wish it would have been a hit for you.

  46. I was hoping for the best when I chose this recipe for the acorn squash I had purchased and it exceeded my expectations. This recipe totally knocked my socks off! It was so very flavorful and yummy- a definite keeper. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!5 stars

  47. Excellent recipe! We try to stay plant-based, so I used Beyond Meat hot Italian “sausage” and Follow Your Heart Vegan Parmesan cheese. My husband raved about the flavor! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks so much!5 stars

  48. This recipe is absolutely outstanding on it and I made no changes other than I added an eighth of a teaspoon of nutmeg versus a quarter teaspoon to the fact my nutmeg is extremely strong. I love this recipe and make it again and again and I have shared it all my friends. If you try this make it just the way the recipe says and you will have an outstanding meal.5 stars

  49. Thank you for this recipe, it’s very delicious and is filled with good flavors! I’ve made it a few times already and I enjoy it every time.5 stars

  50. I liked it but my wife took a bite and said no more. She said it was too sweet. But she isn’t a big squash fan anyway.

    It was too labor intensive and time consuming for what I got.3 stars

    1. I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your wife’s taste, Dave and too labor intensive for you. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it, so I truly wish it would have been a hit for you.

  51. Excellent recipe! Easy to follow instructions, and tasty outcome. I mixed chicken & pork mild Italian sausage, and added fresh parsley with the fresh sage. Will definitely make this again with my CSA (community supported agriculture) winter squash!5 stars

  52. I tried this and my mind was blown. I was a bit apprehensive when I read about the squash being sweet like a sweet potato so I added a bit of heat in the form of cayenne pepper. Loved it! Next time, I’ll play around with the spices and see what I end up with. Thanks for the recipe.5 stars

  53. Delicious! I didn’t have apple so I cut up and peeled 2 firm plums and added left over cooked rice, celery, and sweet peppers.5 stars

  54. I’m obsessed with this recipe. I love how easy it is to make and how you can make variations of it. Who doesn’t love their food also being the bowl? Highly recommend as a staple in your menu!5 stars

  55. This recipe is SO delcious!! My 13, 10 and 2 year old even loved it. I did double the apples and add kale and a jalapeño. So good!! This will be in our weeknight rotation except I will do a double batch because they wanted seconds.5 stars

  56. This was fabulous. My husband wont eat mushrooms so I left them out and it was still great. I will make this one many times!5 stars

  57. I found this recipe looking for some new ideas, and my oh my – it’s a keeper! This was delicious, flavorful and satisfying on a cold winter night.
    I used one acorn squash and one butternut squash and mixed ’em both.
    There’s just the two of us so we’re freezing the other portions for a future meal. Bonus! We’ll include this in our regular rotation, and I think I’ll always double the recipe to freeze ahead.
    FYI, sometimes when friends are stressed and could use a boost, I cook double portions of meals and freeze half to take to them to reheat whenever they need it. I think this recipe would be most welcome for that purpose.
    Thanks for posting this!5 stars

  58. Very good, we make stuffed zucchini but looked for an acorn recipe. Was skeptical about the apple but think it was complimentary. Substituted Italian planco for herbs. Will make again5 stars

  59. This was delicious! The squash came out *perfect*! Definitely going to make this again. I used ground turkey and added roasted pine nuts. Came out wonderful.

    Thanks for posting!5 stars

  60. This tastes great with a little cayenne added, and it’s very versatile! I’ve seen people in the comments adding kale, you could probably also do this with butternut squash. I’ll have to try those next time I make this. I used pork sausage because that was all I had but I would definitely recommend the chicken or turkey sausage because there ended up being a little more grease than I would like in mine.5 stars

  61. I have made this a few times now. It has become one of my favorite meals. I love the balance of sweet/savory. I love it so much that I made it for my parents and siblings over the holidays. When I make it just for me and my partner, we’ll usually have the leftovers for brunch with an egg on top. The yolk mixed with everything makes it even better. I can’t say enough good things about this recipe, and this is coming from someone who can’t stand dishes like candied yams or pumpkin pie. I am going to make it again tonight, but am trying to figure out what to use in place of mushrooms, as I don’t have any on hand.5 stars

    1. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Taylor! Thank you for sharing this kind review!

  62. I didn’t have mushrooms on hand so I substituted zucchini and also used hot italian sausages . The combination of hot sausage with the sweet acorn is the way to go. It was very delicious Thanks for the recipe !5 stars

  63. Delicious! I used a combination of sage and oregano because I didn’t have thyme, but everything else was per the recipe. This is something I will make again for a regular dinner and for company! Easy and so very delicious. Looking forward to lunch tomorrow for the leftovers!5 stars

  64. Cooked this recipe last night everyone loved it I added a bit of cayenne pepper to spice it up a little more. It does take some time to make it but it’s well worth it.5 stars

  65. As usual the prep is more time consuming than the recipe states, but MAN these were absolutely delicious. We used Impossible Sausage to make it a meatless meal. The combination of the savory squash and fall spices and the sweetness of the apples made a wonderful combination.5 stars

  66. It was like Vermont , pumpkin spice , Halloween , crisp air , fall leaves , sweaters in the morning , t-shirts in the afternoon, apple picking , and cider donuts exploded in my mouth 🤣😂🍁Fall in a bowl. I used hot Italian sausage.5 stars

  67. WOW this recipe is amazing! Boyfriend says it’s top 3 meals I have ever made for him, and I have to agree! 10/10 would make again. My only comment is that it took me about 2 hours with all the prep and everything, so I would plan for that if you’re not a super experienced chef!5 stars

  68. A beautiful and delicious fall dinner!! It even won over my husband who is not the biggest squash fan. I added wild rice into the stuffing so ended up with some extra. The excess stuffing plus some melty Italian cheeses went into quesadillas the next day. Highly highly recommend!5 stars

  69. I usually roll my eyes at recipe descriptions but yours was well formatted and very helpful to read. Glad to see you have a recipe book, you have my interest!5 stars

  70. If you want a stuffed squash recipe without rice and/or brown sugar, this one is it! First time making stuffed acorn squash and this recipe is easy to follow and make. Prepping filling while the squash is baking is a great idea. I used sulfite-free pork sausage (has a little spicy kick) instead of Italian sausage, halved the nutmeg, omitted the sage, included 1tsp French thyme. I did not peel the apple (used a lunchbox Gala) and it added just the right amount of sweet. I was running short of time and didn’t want to wait until the squash cooled, so I held onto the stem end with tongs while I scooped. 40 minutes in the oven cooks the squash enough to scoop out the insides, but not so much that the squash collapses, which is why I was able to use the tongs. My husband loved the results. This one goes in the ‘favorites’ section of my recipes.5 stars

  71. I made for the first time and it’s now being made as our Main dish for Thanksgiving. Love this recipe flavor and easy to make.5 stars

  72. Low carb, delicious meal. Loved the spices and tasted great. The parmesan cheese adds a beautiful touch at the end. Make sure you have the time to cook it.5 stars

  73. Sorry. I hated it. Waste not want not. I seperated the filling from the remaining squash and put it into stuffed mushrooms. I used the acorn squash flesh to make a slightly sweet puree with butter and a touch of brown sugar.
    I loved the components, just not the combination.
    Served this with some chipotle raspberry glazed chicken thighs and sautéed zucchini and beauty was shared by all.
    3 stars because the stuffing was outstanding! Only 3 due to my particular tastes.3 stars

    1. Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Jessica. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it not turn out for you.

  74. We made this and got to enjoy it twice. Our squash were small, so we had a lot of filling leftover. I mixed the filling with some beaten eggs and sprinkled cheese on top – it made a delicious breakfast casserole the next morning!5 stars

  75. This website has an insane amount of ads it’s hard to even see the recipe and instructions!! Please consider less ads on your website, it’s hard to be inundated all the time by tacky advertisements.

    1. I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you! I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also, there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster and a print button to have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps!

  76. This was the BEST I have ever had. Thank the only modification I made was when baking the squash we did add a little butter and brown sugar and doubled the spice and garlic. Sooooo good!!5 stars

  77. five stars with me!!! So surprisingly delicious!! The prep was a lot but SOOO worth it!! Will be making this again!! Thank You!!5 stars

  78. This was delicious and very easy but I did alter the recipe after tasting. I felt like the stuffing was a little sweet and so I added a healthy amount of crushed red pepper (1-2tsp). This version with the added spiciness worked VERY well with the spices and sweet and savory flavors.5 stars

  79. I don’t care for mushrooms so I substituted with lentils that I had made earlier in the week. I’m not ready for the warm spices so I substituted the nutmeg with coriander and a pinch of cumin for the allspice, and had fresh parsley on hand instead of sage. It was delicious! Looking forward to colder weather to try the warmer spices.5 stars

  80. These are an absolute labor of love but completely worth it. The prep takes way longer than anything else, but it’s smooth sailing once you actually start cooking.

    I had some ground lamb I needed to use so subbed that for the sausage, adding some red pepper flakes, oregano and fennel seed to mimic the flavor profile. Also added two finely diced parsnips.

    Otherwise made as written, seasoning from the heart (ie: a little more of everything).

    Came together beautifully and was able to share with some friends. Our acorn squash were freakishly large so we’ve gotten a few meals out of this. Served with a crunchy chopped salad for some texture variation.

    10/10, perfect recipe to usher in the fall!5 stars

  81. Just made this tonight and it was a big hit. I hate Italian sausage and my sister doesn’t eat pork so I subbed beef chorizo. Of course I forgot she won’t eat onions or mushrooms either so… lol I was making for a 78 and an 82 year old so I did a super fine chop on the onion, apple, and mushrooms (my pampered chef food chopper made quick work of it) so it had a smooth texture and the chorizo gave it just a bit of spice. I didn’t have fresh herbs but it was still great with the dried sage and thyme. My aunt asked if I saved the recipe. She doesn’t eat much so the fact that she ate a whole (although relatively small) squash half was great. We will be having this again! I might experiment with different sausages.5 stars

  82. Delicious! I made the recipe exactly as is and we all loved it! I may add some toasted walnuts in it next time. I did not think the prep was bad at all…but I prep during the day and cook later to break it up. Will make again?4 stars

  83. I always use sausage when cooking acorn squash but I thought I would use your recipe this time. It takes longer to prep but it was worth it. I normally make a sausage patty with a tablespoon of butter under the sausage patty which softens up the squash. This was delicious.5 stars

  84. I made a few adjustments on spices and ingredients because I used Lamb Marquez sausage, but used the bulk of this recipe and directions. Great result! Apples, onions and mushrooms are a must! Instead of the spices shown, I used a Turkish blend (though not North African, many similarities).5 stars

  85. Dont “stuff” the squash. So much of the vegatable is wasted with this method and you end up with a meat cup, throwing away the whole point of the dish. Follow steps 1-3. When you get to #4, scoop out ALL of the squash, add this to meat mixture, addition simmer, etc., but instead of adding to squash “cups”, just add to a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, bake/broil and enjoy the ENTIRE dish :) Also, freezing and re-heating doesnt work with Turkey. This meat is to lean and you’ll end up with crumbled meat bits as a dish.

    1. Hi Lorrie, actually nothing goes to waste. The center is removed and placed right back into the stuffing. When it’s completely cooked the stuffing, flesh, and skin are all edible so you can eat the whole thing! It’s the best part about using acorn squash! Hope this helps!

  86. I cannot wait to make this!
    We went pumpkin picking last weekend and I spotted 3 Acorn Squash in the field amongst the pumpkins. I’ve never eaten anything with Acorn Squash, but I’ve always wanted to try it. I’ve heard a lot about eating them stuffed, and I’m so glad I found this recipe.
    I’m going to use country sausage and add in some brown rice and cranberries, possibly some toasted nuts for crunch. My hubby loves things spicy, so I like that I can keep his stuffing separate and add cayenne or pepper flakes.
    I also love that you can partially prep the meal ahead of time.
    I’m drooling right now thinking about tomorrow night’s dinner!

  87. This is one of my favorite fall recipes! I love to add cooked wild rice to the stuffing mixture for extra yumminess :)5 stars

  88. This dish is excellent! I have made it 4 times now and it’s a huge success every time! I did add about 1 1/2 cups of cooked leftover quinoa this last time and it was very good.5 stars

  89. Oh my goodness! This recipe is ABSOLUTELY the most PERFECT combination of fall foods!

    I did have to make some minor adjustments simply because of what I had on hand…

    But even without the mushrooms, some different spices, and some ground beef…

    This was DELICIOUS!

    I also found this meal to be an easy one for those looking to prep meals for the week!

    Highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy and delicious fall lunch or dinner.5 stars

  90. I was a bit skeptical while reading the ingredients but this turned out very well. I used pork Italian sausage and drained off the fat. It took quite a bit longer than 8 minutes to cook off the moisture. I would definitely make this again.5 stars

  91. Made this tonight, huge success!! I followed the recipe exactly but added some dried cranberries and fresh spinach. Delicious!!5 stars

  92. WOW! I’m working on healthy eating so this recipe fit the bill. I used Italian seitan to keep it meatless. So good!! The fresh herbs at the end were perfect. I did add some crushed red pepper since my apple was sweet. It is very filling too. I bet the leftovers will taste even better! YUM!!!!4 stars

  93. My first time eating acorn squash and used venison Italian sausage because that’s what I had. I also left out the mushrooms because I didn’t have any. Wonderful recipe, it was very delicious. The apples and squash complement the sausage and spices. I will definitely make again.5 stars

  94. Wow! This was delicious. I added some diced zucchini to the mixture since it was on hand. Easy recipe and so very good. I used Sweet Italian Sausage, but may use hot next time for a new flavor profile. Served with homemade bread and Brightland Olive oil. Absolutely delicious! Thank you5 stars

  95. Delish dish! We skipped the nutmeg and allspice because we felt the squash had enough flavor without it. It was perfect!5 stars

  96. This recipe was wonderful! I will def be making it again. My squash were very large so they took quite a bit longer to cook than 40 minutes. And I added an extra sausage to account for the large squash, plus extra for family sampling. The flavors were so fall. Everyone loved it!5 stars

  97. Hi! What’s a good vegan meat substitute for the sausage? I’m making this for a friend who loves the recipe, but doesn’t like sausage AND we’re both trying to eat less meat so was hoping to substitute a vegan meat. I like to I use Abbots Butcher plant based meats in a lot of my meals… do you think their “chorizo” or “ground beef” would work as a good sub?

    1. Hi Christie! I think either could work, although the chorizo would likely change the flavor some. Enjoy!

  98. I made this with Sage breakfast sausage and it was fantastic. I didn’t add fresh sage; just thyme. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

  99. Who would have thought stuffed acorn squash would be so wonderful? Great dish. Loads of flavor and very filling. The house smelled inviting. The mixture of spices hit the mark. We had it with a salad and fresh bread. A definite make again.5 stars

  100. This dish is AMAZING! I added rice and it was a complete , healthy meal. The spices were very warming for a cold day. Thank you Erin!!!5 stars

  101. My husband and I really like your recipe. We didn’t change anything to see how we liked it. He did say maybe add some more fresh mushrooms into it. I also thought I might cut up the acorn squash and then cook it like a side dish.5 stars

  102. I usually made stuffed acorn squash with Apples walnuts and Cranberries with a filling more like baked apples. This was the first savory acorn squash I made , hubby and I both agreed it was way more satisfying and flavorful than the sweet version. This will be my go to recipe for stuffed acorn squash.5 stars

  103. I’ve made three times over the last 2 weeks – a test, a real meal, and an “let’s do this again cuz it’s so good and we’ve got the stuff.” I topped it with a bit of cheddar cheese. Family agreed this is a keeper!5 stars