Healthy Stuffed Acorn Squash with Ground Turkey Recipe
This Healthy Stuffed Acorn Squash with Ground Turkey is a wholesome and flavorful dish featuring roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, baby bella mushrooms, and sweet Honeycrisp apples. Perfectly seasoned with fresh rosemary and garlic, and topped with melted cheese, this recipe offers a balanced combination of savory and sweet flavors. Ideal for a nutritious family dinner, it is both filling and packed with wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Acorn Squash
- 2 whole acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Filling
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 ½ cups baby bella mushrooms, diced
- 1 cup Honeycrisp apples, peeled and diced
- ½ cup low sodium chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Roast the Squash: Preheat your oven and prepare the acorn squash by slicing each in half and removing the seeds. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and place them cut side down on a baking tray. Roast until the squash is fork-tender but still holds its shape, approximately 30-35 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: While the squash is roasting, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground turkey until fully browned. Add the diced baby bella mushrooms and Honeycrisp apples, cooking until softened. Stir in the low sodium chicken stock, fresh rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt, letting the mixture simmer until flavors meld and liquid reduces.
- Combine and Stuff: Remove the roasted squash halves from the oven, carefully turn them cut side up, and fill each cavity generously with the prepared turkey mixture. Top each filled squash half evenly with shredded cheese.
- Final Bake: Return the stuffed squash halves to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden and the filling is heated through.
Notes
- Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice the squash safely and cleanly.
- Do not overcook the squash initially; it should be fork-tender but hold its shape well.
- If the squash is wobbling on the tray, slice a thin piece off the bottom exterior to create a flat base.
- Always use fresh rosemary if possible to get the most aromatic flavor profile.
Keywords: stuffed acorn squash, ground turkey recipe, healthy stuffed squash, fall recipes, roasted squash, stuffed vegetables
