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    Pinch Me Good! Ā» Main Dishes Ā» Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash-With Apple

    Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash-With Apple

    October 5, 2021 by Amy Estes 3 Comments

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    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    This Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe is a complete meal all in one, with a flavorful filling made of sausage, apple, cranberries, and pecans. The squash is finished with fresh rosemary and sage for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that the whole family will go crazy for!

    4 stuffed butternut squash halves filled with sausage, apples an fresh herbs on a baking sheet on top of brown parchment paper.

    It’s finally fall and we get to dive into all of the wonderful squash recipes like this incredible stuffed butternut squash that is so satisfying, filling, and nourishing. You can serve it as a main meal or side dish that is wonderful for entertaining or a perfect addition to your holiday table.

    You may also love this vegetarian stuffed squash which is a meatless version of this recipe. 

    This stuffed squash is a slightly time-consuming recipe but most of that is just waiting for the squash to roast until caramelized, which is 100% worth it! Then you just need to whip up the sausage and apple filling, stuff the squash with the sausage mixture, and cook it for a bit longer until golden. 

    Why you’ll love this stuffed butternut squash 

    • Hearty and flavorful – this recipe is full of warm fall flavors like apple, sage, and rosemary and is so filling and satisfying. 
    • Healthy – packed with so much protein and fiber!
    • Impressive dish – butternut squash boats filled with the incredible apple sausage filling makes it both beautiful and delicious. 
    • Great main meal or side dish – you can serve it as a complete main dish or side dish that goes with so many things. 
    Halved squash filled with sausage stuffing on a baking sheet with large pieces of fresh rosemary next to is and a white and blue striped towel under the baking sheet.

    How To Roast Butternut Squash

    Roasting butternut squash is fairly easy to do and low maintenance in this recipe. All you need to do is cut off the ends of the squash, slice it in half so you get two squash halves, scoop out the seeds and season, and roast it. This is pretty simple but may be challenging if you are not experienced in working with butternut quash. For a more in-depth step-by-step explanation check out this post on how to cut and roast butternut squash. Note: You can buy precut halved squash at most grocery stores if you are intimidated by cutting it. 

    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this stuffed butternut squashĀ 
    • How To Roast Butternut Squash
    • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Ingredients
    • How to make stuffed butternut squash with sausage
    • ​Recipe Tips
    • ​Customize the filling
    • ​Do I need to peel the squash before baking it?
    • How to store stuffed butternut squash
    • Can you freeze stuffed squash?
    • Servings suggestions
    • More butternut squash recipes
    • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

    Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Ingredients

    Whole butternut squash with fresh herbs next to it and an apple, bowl of pecans, bowl of olive oil, bowl of spinach, bowl of raw sausage, garlic cloves, bowl if diced celery, bowl if dried cranberries and a bowl of salt and pepper in front of it on a white surface.
    • Butternut squash – you will need 2 medium butternut squash that are similar in size and shape. You want to use squash that is wider rather than longer in this recipe so there is more space for the filling. You can find this at almost any grocery store. 
    • Sausage – any type of sausage or ground turkey will work in this recipe. I used sweet Italian sausage.
    • Vegetables – onion, celery, spinach. Make sure you use fresh and not frozen spinach. Frozen spinach will make this recipe too watery.
    • Apple – any type of apple will work in this recipe. I used a gala apple.
    • Pecans – add a nice crunch. You can also use walnuts.
    • Dried cranberries – to add a nice sweet flavor to the filling.
    • Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
    • Chicken stock – low sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock
    • Garlic– you can use fresh garlic or garlic paste. If you use garlic paste, you will need about 3 teaspoons.
    • Salt and pepper – to enhance all of the flavors.

    *Get the full list of ingredients and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.

    How to make stuffed butternut squash with sausage

    Two halves of butternut squash on a round wooden board on a white surface with a round white bowl with seeds of of the squash and a spoon in it on the board next to the squash.

    Step one: Prep the squash. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and discard them.

    4 halves of butternut squash on a brown baking sheet.

    Step two: Roast the squash. Drizzle the squash with a little olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Place the squash cut side face up onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast it in a 425° F preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden and fork tender. Remove and let cool.

    Round white pan filled with cooked sausage, celery, onion and herbs

    Step three:Ā Make the sausage and apple filling.Ā Heat a large skillet to medium heat, add the sausage, and break it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink add in the onions, celery, and garlic. Toss and cook that for a few minutes. Add in the fresh herbs, spinach, and stock if needed. Cook until the spinach is wilted.

    Round white pan filled with cooked sausage with a pile of diced apple, dried cranberries and chopped pecans on top of the sausage

    Step four: Finish the filling. Remove the pan from the heat, add in the diced apples, cranberries, and pecans, and toss that all together.Ā 

    Two halves of cooked butternut squash with the center scooped out on a white cutting board with a striped towel in front of it and a round pan with sausage stuffing behind it

    Step five: Prepare the squash or the filling. Scoop out the flesh of the squash leaving a ½-¾ inch border around the edge of the squash skin and about 2.5 inches from the bottom. You can use the extra squash for soup or mashed butternut squash.

    4 pieces of cut whole squash filled with sausage and veggies stuffing ontop of brown parchment paper.

    Step six: Fill the squash. Divide the sausage and apple filling evenly between the halves of the squash. If desired, top with a little sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Place the squash back into the oven and brown the top for 10 minutes or until the top is nice and golden brown.

    Roasted butternut squash stuffed with sausage and apples on a baking sheet with fresh rosemary around it

    ​Recipe Tips

    • Select a butternut squash that is more even in size all around as opposed to one that has a longer neck on it. This will make it more space for filling it. A 2-2.5 pound squash is the best size for this recipe. 
    • Roast the squash until a sharp knife can be inserted easily into the center of the squash. This usually takes 35-45 minutes for a medium size squash. 
    • Cut the veggies and apples into small pieces so they cook fast and fit easily when filling the squash. 
    • Let the squash cool for 5 minutes before scooping out the center. Use the extra squash for soup or mashed butternut squash. 
    • You can make the filling ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s delicious all on its own. 

    ​Customize the filling

    • Switch up the protein. You can swap the sausage with any ground meat like ground turkey, ground beef, or ground chicken. 
    • Make it meatless stuffed squash. You can use meatless meat crumbles, minced cooked mushrooms or chickpeas, and quinoa in place of the sausage. 
    • Add some cooked brown rice, white rice, or quinoa for an even heartier stuffed squash.Ā 
    • Use diced pears in place of the apples. Both are great options that add to the depth of flavor and crunch in the stuffing.Ā 
    • Raisins can be used in place of dried cranberries.Ā 
    • Use chopped kale in place of the spinach.Ā 

    ​Do I need to peel the squash before baking it?

    Sometimes you do need to peel the squash before baking it like when you are making roasted butternut squash cubes. Luckily, in this recipe, it is not necessary to peel the squash since you are roasting it in the skin for even more amazing flavor. 

    How to store stuffed butternut squash

    This stuffed butternut squash with sausage and apples can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Easily reheat it at 350°F in the oven or in portions in the microwave until warmed through. 

    Can you freeze stuffed squash?

    Yes, this squash actually freezes very well. Just let it cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe food container, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat as noted above.Ā 

    Baking sheet lined with brown parchment paper with halves of butternut squash filled with a sausage stuffing on it.

    Servings suggestions

    This squash recipe is great for the holidays and goes well with so many other dishes. Here are a few of my favorites.

    • Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
    • Easy Ranch Roasted Carrots
    • Gluten-Free Herb Biscuits
    • Easy Kale Salad

    More butternut squash recipes

    • Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
    • The BEST Mashed Butternut Squash
    • Healthy Butternut Squash Lasagna
    • Butternut Squash Noodles Bowl – Vegan
    • Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash Salad

    Did you make this sausage-stuffed butternut squash recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on InstagramĀ @pinchmegoodfoodĀ so I can see your creation.

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    Halved sausage and apple stuffed squash on a baking sheet with sprigs of rosemary around them.

    Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This sausage-stuffed butternut squash is roasted and filled with an amazing apple and sausage filling that is seasoned with rosemary and sage. It makes an impressive dish to serve for the holidays and it is gluten free and dairy free!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 whole butternut squash – 2-2.5 pounds each
    • 2 tablespoons olive oilĀ 
    • Kosher salt – to taste
    • Ground black pepper – to taste
    • 1 pound ground sausageĀ 
    • 2 stalks of celery -diced
    • 1 small yellow onion -peeled and diced
    • 3 cloves of garlic -peeled and minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
    • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
    • 1 tablespoon chicken stock or white wine – to deglaze the pan if needed
    • 2 cups fresh spinach
    • 1 small apple – dicedĀ 
    • ¼ cup dried cranberries
    • ¼ cup chopped pecans
    • Shredded parmesan cheese – optional

    Instructions

    1. Prep and roast the squash. Preheat the oven to 425°F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and discard them. Drizzle the squash with a little olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Place the squash cut side up onto a baking sheet and cook it for 40-45 minutes until a sharp knife can easily be inserted into the center of the squash. Remove and let cool.
    2. Make the sausage and apple filling. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat, add some olive oil to the pan then add the sausage and break it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink add in the onions, celery, and garlic. Toss and cook that for a few minutes then add in the fresh herbs, spinach, and stock if needed to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Cook until the spinach is wilted. Remove the pan from the heat add in the diced apples, cranberries, and pecans, and toss that all together.
    3. Fill the squash. Scoop out the flesh of the squash leaving a ½-3/4 inch border around the edge of the squash and about 2.5 inches from the bottom. You can use the extra squash for soup or mashed butternut squash. Divide the sausage and apple filling evenly between the halves of the squash. If desired, top with a little sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Place the squash back into the oven and brown the top for about 10 minutes.
    4. Serve. Remove, let cool, and serve hot.

      Equipment

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      Notes

      • Select a butternut squash that is more even in size all around as opposed to one that has a longer kneck on it. This will make it more space for filling it. A 2-2.5 pound squash is the best size for this recipe.
      • You can make the filling ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
      • Store this stuffed squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Easily reheat it in the microwave or in the oven on a baking sheet.
        • Prep Time: 10 minutes
        • Cook Time: 45 minutes
        • Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
        • Method: Oven
        • Cuisine: American

        Keywords: sausage stuffed butternut squash, stuffed butternut squash, stuffed butternut squash recipe, butternut squash

        Did you make this recipe?

        Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

        « Easy One Pot Pumpkin Chili – Gluten Free
        Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples – 15 Minutes »

        Filed Under: Dairy Free, Favorite Winter Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Fall Favorites, Kid-Friendly, Main Dishes, Meal Prep, Oven, Paleo

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Trisha O'Leary

          October 14, 2021 at 12:21 am

          This was Amazing. The flavors and herbs were so perfectly balanced! I am thinking about making this for thanksgiving!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
        2. Nicole Nardi-Werner

          October 19, 2021 at 6:54 pm

          These were delicious. I ended up using dried herbs because I forgot to buy dressed ones and they still came out amazing! Even my 1.5 year old ate them!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
          • Amy

            October 20, 2021 at 4:45 pm

            Thank you so much Nicole! I am so glad everyone liked it!

            Reply

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        Roasted butternut squash stuffed with sausage and apples on a baking sheet with fresh rosemary around it
        4 pieces of cut whole squash filled with sausage and veggies stuffing ontop of brown parchment paper.
        Halved sausage and apple stuffed squash on a baking sheet with sprigs of rosemary around them.
        Baking sheet with roasted squash filled with cooked sausage and apple filling with fries herbs around it and a striped towel next to the pan.