Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Print

Sweet & Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash Dinner

Pre-baking your squash gives you plenty of time to cook up the sweet & savory filling, and then you top everything off with just a bit of shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a touch of tangy contrast. (This is also a good way to stretch a smaller amount of meat to feed four!)
Course dinner
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Author Rachel Singer

Ingredients

-to pre-bake the squash

  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

- for the filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ¼ a medium yellow onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 small apples, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup chopped; I used 1 ½ small Gala)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • Dash of cayenne
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoon dried cranberries, chopped
  • ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds & membranes, then season generously with sea salt and pepper.
  • Place cut side down on the prepared baking sheet and roast at 375 degrees for 40 minutes, or until tender when shell is pricked with a fork. (Cooking times may vary, depending on the size of your squash.)
  • While the squash is baking, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, then drain and remove the browned beef from the skillet.
  •  Saute apple, garlic, and onion in the same pan over medium heat for another 5-7 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. 
  • Stir beef back into the skillet, then turn off the heat and mix in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, cayenne, sea salt, and dried cranberries.
  • Turn the cooked squash over so that the cut side is up, then fill each with the ground beef & apple mixture. Top each filled squash with a bit of shredded cheddar, then return them to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees, or until cheese is browned and squash is very tender. 
  • Enjoy your cooked acorn squash with their sweet + savory filling!

Notes

Next time I'd chop the apples smaller than shown here, so that they blend in a little bit better.