Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

5 from 13 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These sausage stuffed acorn squash have a savory sourdough stuffing, full of pecans and cranberries. Make this recipe for part of your holiday meal or a weeknight dinner!

sausage stuffing inside of baked acorn squash on plate with fork


Whether you call it sausage stuffing or dressing, imagine it baked into acorn squash with sautéed onions and celery, pecans, and fresh cranberries. And of course, a drizzle of maple syrup on top. The result is our new favorite fall meal, and it is off the hook tasty!

The stuffed squash is filling enough to be a meal in itself, but if you make the servings smaller, it’s also a great Thanksgiving side dish.

Speaking of Thanksgiving and other special holidays, these would be gorgeous on the table with a roasted turkey! If you plan to make one, I have an entire post on tips for roasting and carving a turkey.

If you’re looking for other dishes to serve with it, consider making a few of these Thanksgiving side dishes, and don’t forget to make the best roasted mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat!

Thanksgiving dressing baked into a winter squash

Sausage stuffed acorn squash

The ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe are pretty basic, but I have few notes and substitutions to mention.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

  • Acorn squash– I prefer the sweetness of this squash, but the recipe will definitely work with other types of winter squash. It would work well with butternut squash, or even spaghetti squash.
  • Sausage– Any regular ground pork sausage will work. You could also use ground Italian sausage, a tube of breakfast sausage, or even hot sausage if you want to.
  • Sourdough bread– If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make homemade sourdough bread. Otherwise, buy it ready to use. You could also use regular stuffing cubes or croutons.
  • Cranberries– Fresh or frozen cranberries may be used. If you have a hard time finding them, you can use dried cranberries.
  • Pecans– Of course, any type of nut can be used. Walnuts or even almonds would be delicious. You can omit the nuts entirely if you need or want to.

Another option instead of using cranberries is to make apple sausage stuffing.

photo collage of homemade Thanksgiving dressing and baked squash halves

Meatless Option

If meat isn’t your thing, leave the sausage out. I highly recommend it though, as the sausage adds a bit of savory moisture and texture that takes this over the top from side dish to main course.

Or, use a protein-rich substitute like lentils, or chopped portobello mushrooms, which are often used as a vegan meat substitute.

savory stuffed squash with sausage and cranberry stuffing

Video: Making sausage stuffed acorn squash

To see how easy the stuffed squash recipe is to make, watch the video located in the recipe card below!

plated dinner of sausage stuffed acorn squash

Recipe Notes

Make ahead instructions

If you’d like to make sausage stuffed acorn squash ahead of time, it can be done. However, you’ll need to keep the stuffing separate from the squash until you’re ready to bake it.
Both should be fine in the refrigerator for up to two days, but it’s best not to wait much longer than that.

Important!

To prevent any chance of illness from bacteria, use a cooking thermometer to be sure that the filling reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

close up image of stuffed squash with homemade dressing (stuffing)

This post, first published on Kevin Is Cooking Oct. 17, 2016, was last updated with new content on Sept. 7, 2021.

Still Hungry?

Subscribe to my Newsletter, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for all my latest recipes and videos.

Call it stuffing or dressing, these Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash have a sausage sourdough bread stuffing with pecans and cranberries that doesn’t need a holiday to be eaten. We eat these whenever rI can get fresh acorn squash. Amazing stuffing! www.keviniscooking.com

Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash + Video

5 from 13 votes
These sausage stuffed acorn squash have sourdough stuffing, pecans and cranberries. Make this recipe for an easy holiday side or main dish.
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 slices sourdough bread toasted and cubed (See Note 1)
  • 2 acorn squash halved and seeded
  • 1/2 lb sausage meat See Note 2
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2-3 sage leaves chopped (see Note 3)
  • 1/2 tsp ground thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup divided

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven 425°F. Using a sharpened kitchen knife, cut the acorn squash in half vertically starting at tip down to the stem. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Rub oil all over squash and salt and pepper the cut sides. Place cut side up on lined baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes or until fork tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  • Toast the sourdough bread slices and then cube, set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat and the oil, sausage meat and start to brown, 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery, herbs, red pepper flakes and salt to taste. Cook for another 6 minutes. Remove from skillet and add to large bowl to cool.
  • When sausage mixture is cool enough to handle add the bread, egg and chicken stock. Toss to coat evenly. Add the cranberries and pecans and mix.
  • Divide stuffing mixture evenly between each squash half and press down gently to mold in cavity. Drizzle with maple syrup and bake for another 15-20 minutes, and tops are golden brown and crispy.

Video

Notes

  1. Use thick slices of bread, about the thickness of two sandwich bread slices.
  2. I used half (8 ounces) regular pork sausage. There’s also the Spicy HOT version if you’d like a spicier stuffing.
  3. Substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground sage if fresh isn’t available.

Nutrition

Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 1233mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1028IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 6mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
titled image of sausage stuffed acorn squash

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

Free Bonus
5 Secrets to True Tex Mex
Essential recipes & tips for delicious Tex Mex cooking!

email image

Explore More

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

39 Comments

  1. I must have done something wrong. After I poured the broth everything got lost in the liquid. I had to use a slotted spoon. Definitely measured 1.5 C.

    1. I am sorry that you had so much liquid. Maybe give the recipe another try! Hope you enjoyed it still!