Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash (Print-Friendly Format)

Roasted butternut squash filled with sausage, spinach, pecans, and cranberries delivers comfort with every bite.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Roasted Butternut Squash

01 - 2 medium or large butternut squash
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 0.25 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sausage Filling

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 small onion, diced
07 - 400 grams spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
10 - 115 grams fresh spinach
11 - 60 grams dried cranberries
12 - 60 grams pecans, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven to 200°C. Allow to preheat while you prepare the squash.
02 - Slice each squash lengthwise. Remove seeds and stringy pulp with a spoon.
03 - Place squash halves cut side up on a baking tray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and rub into the flesh. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Flip each squash half cut side down on the tray. Roast in the oven for 30–40 minutes until very tender.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly charred.
06 - Add crumbled Italian sausage, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until sausage is fully cooked.
07 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes until wilted.
08 - Add dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Combine thoroughly and adjust seasoning if necessary.
09 - Remove squash from oven and carefully turn cut side up. Allow to cool briefly. Scoop out some flesh, leaving a 2.5 cm border along the edges for stability.
10 - Reheat the sausage filling if needed. Evenly distribute the filling among the squash halves, pressing gently to fill.
11 - Finish with freshly ground black pepper and fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For easier clean-up, line the baking sheet with parchment paper before roasting the squash.
02 - If using sweet sausage, adjust salt carefully as the filling may require more seasoning.

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