Description
Hearty Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash blends rich Italian sausage with creamy roasted squash and tender spinach. Herb-infused flavors and rustic textures create a satisfying meal that brings comfort to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild, spicy, or chicken sausage)
- 5 oz (140g) fresh spinach
- 2 tbsps olive oil, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ½ cup (50g) breadcrumbs (optional)
- ½ cup (50g) shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Squash Preparation: Slice butternut squash lengthwise, placing halves on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper for uniform coating.
- Roasting Stage: Bake in preheated 400F (200C) oven for 40-45 minutes until flesh becomes tender and caramelized, creating a soft foundational base.
- Sausage Mixture Development: Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic. Introduce sausage, breaking into crumbly pieces and browning completely.
- Flavor Enhancement: Fold fresh spinach into sausage mixture, allowing leaves to wilt. Integrate thyme, sage, and red pepper flakes, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate taste complexity.
- Filling Composition: Incorporate breadcrumbs and half the Parmesan cheese into sausage mixture, creating a textured and binding filling. Gently mash roasted squash interior into mixture for added richness.
- Final Assembly: Stuff squash halves generously with sausage mixture, pressing firmly to compact filling. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top for golden, crispy finish.
- Finishing Bake: Return stuffed squash to 400F (200C) oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown. Rest briefly before serving, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Squash: Select a butternut squash with smooth, unblemished skin and heavy for its size, indicating optimal ripeness and moisture.
- Control Moisture: Avoid oversaturating the squash during roasting to prevent soggy texture; use minimal olive oil and pat dry before seasoning.
- Balance Sausage Flavor: Use mild Italian sausage for balanced spiciness, or swap with turkey sausage for a leaner protein option.
- Customize Filling: Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for varied nutrition, or add pine nuts for extra crunch and nutty dimension.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg