Baked Butternut Squash Stuffed With Apples and Sausage

Jan Marie's Note:

This is the ultimate comfort food, as we turn the corner into fall and cooler weather. It's simple and fills the house with great smells and the tummy with a nourishing, delicious meal. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 (1 lb) butternut squash, halved and seeded
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 8 ounces fresh bulk sausage (I use Jimmy Dean's Maple)
• 2 apples, peeled and cubed into 1/4-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into bits
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Lightly oil baking dish.
3. Half squash lengthwise and remove seeds.
4. Arrange squash cut side up on the baking dish.
5. Brush lightly with oil and cover with foil.
6. Bake until almost tender, 30-40 minutes.
7. Keep the oven on.
8. Meanwhile, crumble the sausage into a skillet and cook over medium heat until no longer pink.
9. Add apple.
10. Cook, stirring until crisp-tender.
11. Let cool slightly.
12. Scoop out the squash, leaving 3/8 inch thick shells.
13. Lightly mix the squash pulp into the sausage mixture breaking up squash as little as possible.
14. Mix the butter, brown sugar, pecans, sage, salt and pepper.
15. Pile the stuffing into the squash halves.
16. Dot with bits of butter and brown sugar.
17. Bake uncovered until piping hot and brown and crusty on top, 20-25 minutes.
18. Let cool for several minutes before serving.

Reviews

[Shelby Jo]

This was such a delicious supper! I made exactly as directed, except I used original sausage -- wish I would have done the maple like suggested, that would have been a great flavor addition to this. I was just cooking for myself, so I halved the recipe to make 1 squash (2 halves). I ate the one half and then scrapped the other one into a bowl to eat for lunch tomorrow. Can't wait! Thanks for posting such a yummy recipe!

[piseag]

This was my first time cooking butternut squash and this was a great recipe to start with! I used spicy Italian sausage with was a nice match with the sweet flavours of the apples and sugar. I think this could be a great make ahead recipe for my next dinner party. Thank you for posting! :)

[abwick]

meh, not bad, but not overwhelmingly great - i'm sure that user error proved to be some of my downfall, though! one thing i did notice is that the amount of cooking time for the squash is far greater than the recipe indicates. i actually ended up sticking the halves into the microwave after the 40 min time came and went. i'd suggest either increasing the amount of time or turning the oven up!