11/08/2024
🍂 Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries 🍂
Ingredients:
2 medium butternut squashes, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Stuffing:
1 lb ground sausage (Italian or breakfast sausage)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Roast the Butternut Squash:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare the Squash:
Brush the cut sides of the butternut squash halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the squash halves cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Roast:
Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
Prepare the Stuffing:
Cook the Sausage:
While the squash is roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Once fully cooked, remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside, leaving some of the rendered fat in the skillet.
Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted.
Combine the Stuffing:
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables.
Stir in the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, if using.
Stuff and Bake the Squash:
Fill the Squash:
Once the butternut squash halves are cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Reserve the scooped-out squash and add it to the sausage mixture, mixing well.
Stuff the Squash:
Divide the sausage mixture evenly among the squash halves, packing it into the cavity and mounding it slightly on top.
Bake Again:
Return the stuffed squash halves to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the stuffing is heated through and lightly browned on top.
Serve:
Garnish and Enjoy:
Serve your Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries 🍂 warm, garnished with extra chopped pecans or a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.
This dish is a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and earthy flavors, making it a standout option for fall dinners, holiday gatherings, or whenever you're craving a hearty and wholesome meal.