Fill up on Stuffed Acorn Squash, a Thanksgiving-approved feast made with wild rice, dried cranberries, granny smith apples, and loads of veggies. It’s the perfect dish to serve up if you’re looking for something unique and memorable!
I feel like recipes with acorn squash are few and far in between. And I don’t get it! They’re so delicious and make a great addition to all sorts of recipes. They can even be air fried!
Though I feel this way, it wasn’t until doing a quick dive through my site that I realized I’ve never covered a recipe that uses this fancy little gourd! I figured the time is now, as Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and gourds are all around cozy fall foods.
So, without further ado, I present to you stuffed acorn squash. I couldn’t have chosen a more flavorful option for my first acorn squash recipe, as this dish is filled with so many savory ingredients. It’s salty, but sweet, and totally satisfying. You’re in for a treat!
Ingredients for this stuffed squash
For the squash you’ll just need a few basics.
- Acorn Squash: Start off with 3 acorn squashes, which will amount to 6 servings.
- Olive Oil: We will use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to help the squash roast to golden brown perfection.
- Salt and Pepper: We’re keeping the flavorings for this part simple with ¼ tsp of both salt and pepper.
For the stuffing we’re going for a tasty blend of veggies (carrots, onion, and celery), loads of spices, wild rice, dried cranberries, and even a granny smith apple.
- Veggies: Carrots, celery, onion, and garlic (otherwise known as a Mirepoix) create a flavorful foundation for this stuffing.
- Wild Rice: 1 cup of wild rice will add both density and flavor. Feel free to substitute white or brown rice, or go with a different grain, like bulgur or quinoa.
- Vegetable Broth: We will use 2 cups of veggie broth to cook the rice, as this is much more flavorful than simply using water.
- Feta Cheese: 1 cup of crumbled feta brings creamy tang to help cut through the flavorful veggies.
- Dried Cranberries: For an element of sweetness include ¼ cup of dried cranberries.
- Apple: Additionally, dice up ½ of a granny smith apple for zingy crunch.
- Herbs: Rosemary and sage bring the flavor of fall. Feel free to throw in more of your favorites, like thyme!
- Salt & Pepper: Finally, finish things off by adding ½ tsp of salt and pepper, and you’re finished!
How to make stuffed acorn squash
This stuffed acorn squash recipe is just as cute as it is delicious. It’s like the bread bowl of the gourd world, served up with a delicious filling of veggies, cranberries, and apples.
Step 1: Prepare and cook the squash
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut the squash in half vertically (from north to south), and scoop out the seeds. Brush the insides with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Finally, set the halves cut side up on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until fork tender.
Step 2: Cook the vegetables
Next, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Cook until the mixture is fragrant and the veggies are brightly colored, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the rice
Add the rice and broth to the veggies and cover. Let simmer until the rice is cooked and the broth is absorbed (about 15 minutes) or until tender. The length of time will depend on your rice. Stir in the feta, cranberries, apples, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Cover and set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the dish
When the squash is fork tender, scoop the flesh from the inside and, being careful not to puncture the skin, leave a thin layer on the outside (hold it with some paper towels if it’s too hot to handle.) Stir the scooped out flesh in with the rice mixture, and then stuff the mixture into each half of the acorn squash.
Step 5: Bake the stuffed squash
Finally, return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, until slightly crispy and warmed through.
Cook up these delish Thanksgiving items too!
There are a world of meal ideas to cook up on Thanksgiving, and I cover so many recipes right here on my blog! Include any of the below dishes in your Thanksgiving lineup for smiling faces and full bellies.
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Autumn Pomegranate Salad
- Vegetable Bread Stuffing
- Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner on a Sheet Pan
Ingredients
Squash
- 3 acorn squash
- 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
- ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
Stuffing
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
- 1 cup diced carrot about 2 carrots
- ½ cup diced celery about 1 rib
- ½ cup finely chopped white or yellow onion about ½ an onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup wild rice 200 g
- 2 cups vegetable broth 450 mL
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 100 g
- ¼ cup dried cranberries 25 g
- ½ granny smith apple diced
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh sage
- ½ tsp each salt and pepper
Instructions
- Roast: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut squash in half vertically (from north to south), and scoop out the seeds. Brush the insides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set halves cut side up on a baking sheet, then bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until fork tender.
- Veggies: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic. Cook until fragrant and veggies are brightly colored, about 5 minutes.
- Rice: Add rice and broth, cover, and let simmer until rice is cooked and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes, or until tender (will depend on your rice). Stir in feta, cranberries, apple, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Cover and set aside.
- Assemble: When squash is fork-tender, scoop flesh from the inside, being careful to not puncture the skin and leaving a thin layer on the outside (hold it with some paper towels if it’s too hot to handle). Stir the scooped out flesh in with the rice mixture, then stuff the mixture into each half of the acorn squash.
- Bake: Return stuffed squash to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, until slightly crispy and warmed through.
Lynn says
This was absolutely delicious! I goofed and forgot to scoop out and mix the cooked squash into the stuffing mixture. I piled the stuffing mix into the cooked acorn squash halves and baked again to melt the cheese. It was still perfect. I may prepare it this way in the future. 🙂
Sarah says
So happy to hear it, Lynn! Enjoy! 😀
Katie stone says
There is a farm in my community that give a way vegetables to the elderly in the fall. I received acron squash. I steamed acron squash with butter,salt,pepper and paprika. My first time eating acron. My family enjoyed the dish.. I plan to try other acron squash recipes in the future.
Jo Jenkins says
I’m not a squash fan, but this looks yummy!
Can it be cooked in advance? We’re going to a niece’s home 30 minutes away for Thanksgiving and would like to just warm them up when we get there. Her oven will be busy with the turkey and dressing. Unless you know a good way to keep them hot that long?
Sarah says
Yep you could reheat them by just placing them in the oven with the turkey for a few min until warmed through! 😀
Hannah Grace says
When you are buying an acorn squash, try to get one with as much green on the outside as possible! If the squash is mostly yellow, the inside doesn’t have much flavor. My mom and I learned this the hard way! XD
Jean says
This was absolutely delicious!! the flavors were perfect together, ,my hubby loved it!! trying to get him to be more plant based!. thank you so much!!
Sarah Bond says
So happy to hear it, Jean! Enjoy! 😀
Emilio says
This is amazing. I’ve tried quite a few of your recipes and they’re all great, but wow this is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. The spectrum of flavors I tasted after every bite was delightful. Just one taste complimenting another, complimenting another!
I ended up using Italian seasoning, due to my stores’ low stock of spices, which actually worked really well.
Sarah Bond says
YAY! I’m so happy to hear it, Emilio! 😀 This is my favorite for serving as a main at holiday feasts.