Baked Stuffed Winter Squash Recipe

Ingredients for Baked Stuffed Winter Squash

• Acorn Squash
• Olive Oil
• Onion
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• Sweet Italian Sausage
• Dried Thyme
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Dry Breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

How to Make Baked Stuffed Winter Squash

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place squash halves cut-side down in a baking pan. Add 1 cup of water to the pan.
3. Bake for 40 minutes, or until squash is easily pierced with a fork.
4. While squash bakes, heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
5. Add chopped onion and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Add Italian sausage and thyme to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
7. Remove squash from the oven. Carefully scoop out the cooked squash pulp, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh against the rind. Set rinds aside.
8. Mash the squash pulp in a large bowl using a potato masher.
9. Stir in the cooked sausage mixture, beaten egg, bread crumbs, raisins, and pecans.
10. Fill the reserved squash rinds with the stuffing mixture.
11. Place the stuffed squash in the baking pan. Add any remaining cooking liquid from the sausage mixture to the bottom of the pan.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and stuffing is golden brown.