Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash

Introduction

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash is a comforting and elegant main dish that’s packed with sweet and savory flavors. Each roasted squash half becomes an edible bowl, filled with a robust mixture of sausage, apples, herbs, and breadcrumbs. This recipe is perfect for family dinners or special occasions when you want to offer a hearty yet wholesome meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Why Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash is a Winner

This meal combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash and crisp apples with the savory depth of sausage, creating a flavor profile that’s both homey and gourmet. The harmonious mix of textures and the satisfying blend of autumn-inspired ingredients make it a seasonal favorite that pleases a crowd and leaves little need for sides.

Crafting a Flavorful Filling

To create the stuffing, saute quality sausage with onions, celery, and diced apple until everything is golden and aromatic. Fresh herbs like thyme and sage elevate the filling, while breadcrumbs bring it all together. The mixture is loaded into the roasted squash halves, then returned to the oven until everything is bubbling and golden on top.

Assembly for Maximum Flavor

After roasting the squash halves until just tender, scoop out some flesh to make room for the stuffing—the removed squash is diced and added to the filling for extra flavor and substance. Load the halved squash generously and bake again until the stuffing is cooked through and lightly crisped.

Serving Suggestions for Stuffed Butternut Squash

Garnish each stuffed squash half with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color. Serve alongside a simple green salad or steamed green beans to round out the meal. This dish is also excellent for meal prep, as the leftovers reheat beautifully for a quick and wholesome lunch or dinner.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 4 hearty servings (half a squash per person). Each serving contains around 380–450 calories, depending on sausage type and the amount of breadcrumbs. It’s nourishing and filling, making it an ideal centerpiece for healthful, home-cooked meals.

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash (Recap)

With its vibrant colors, balanced flavors, and inviting aroma, this stuffed butternut squash will quickly become a staple in your cool-weather meal rotation. It’s as beautiful on the table as it is delicious in every bite.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Drizzle squash halves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on a lined baking sheet and roast for 30–40 minutes, or until tender.
2. While the squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned.
3. Add diced onion and celery; sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the apple and cook another 2–3 minutes until slightly tender. Add garlic, thyme, and sage; cook for 1 minute more.
4. Once squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out some flesh from the center of each half, leaving a ½-inch border to hold the shape. Dice the scooped-out squash and add it to the sausage mixture.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in breadcrumbs, Parmesan (if using), and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Turn the squash halves over and fill each with the sausage-apple mixture. Place back in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until heated through and golden on top.
7. Garnish with additional parsley and serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash fits seamlessly into any weekly meal prep plan. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your week, and let CookifyAI generate an intelligent shopping list that automatically combines and organizes your ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

• Quickly aggregates ingredient totals across all scheduled meals
• Helps prevent overbuying or missing key items
• Simplifies shopping with lists sorted by grocery store department
• Streamlines meal prep and reduces weeknight stress

Pro tip: Schedule your meals to see how ingredients in this stuffed squash recipe overlap with other planned dishes. For instance, if another meal uses fresh herbs or onions, your list will update to reflect the total amount needed—ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes