Name: Southwestern Stuffed Acorn Squash
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 3 acorn squash, (3/4-1 pound each); 5 ounces bulk turkey sausage; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/2 medium red bell pepper,chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes; 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed (see Tip); 0.5 teaspoon salt; Several dashes hot red pepper sauce, to taste; 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Southwestern Stuffed Acorn Squash

4.8

(28)

26 Reviews

Cumin and chili powder season a filling of turkey sausage, tomatoes, black beans and Swiss cheese for creamy acorn squash. Serve this stuffed squash with warmed corn tortillas for wrapping up bites of all the tasty ingredients.

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Updated on August 16, 2019

Cook Time:

45 mins

Additional Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Calorie High Fiber Gluten-Free High Calcium Bone Health Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Low Added Sugars

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

3 acorn squash, (3/4-1 pound each)
5 ounces bulk turkey sausage
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 medium red bell pepper,chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed (see Tip)
½ teaspoon salt
Several dashes hot red pepper sauce, to taste
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
Cut squash in half horizontally. Scoop out and discard seeds. Place the squash cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, chili powder and cumin; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, beans, salt and hot sauce, scraping up any browned bits. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the tomatoes are broken down, 10 to 12 minutes.
When the squash are tender, reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees . Fill the squash halves with the turkey mixture. Top with cheese. Place on the baking sheet and bake until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.

Tips

Tip: While we love the convenience of canned beans, they tend to be high in sodium. Give them a good rinse before adding to a recipe to rid them of some of their sodium (up to 35 percent) or opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties. (Our recipes are analyzed with rinsed, regular canned beans.) Or, if you have the time, cook your own beans from scratch.

Easy cleanup: Recipes that require cooking spray can leave behind a sticky residue that can be hard to clean. To save time and keep your baking sheet looking fresh, line it with a layer of foil before you apply the cooking spray.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

251	Calories
7g	Fat
36g	Carbs
14g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 251
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 8g	27%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 14g	28%
Total Fat 7g	9%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 30mg	10%
Vitamin A 2084IU	42%
Vitamin C 47mg	52%
Folate 81mcg	20%
Sodium 478mg	21%
Calcium 244mg	19%
Iron 3mg	16%
Magnesium 81mg	19%
Potassium 1046mg	22%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.