Description
Hearty Stuffed Butternut Squash brings Mediterranean flavors together with roasted squash boats brimming with herbed quinoa, feta, and pine nuts. Seasonal comfort emerges through each delicious bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 medium butternut squash
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed and drained)
- 8 strips cooked bacon, chopped
Cheese and Dairy:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Oil:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the butternut squash by slicing it lengthwise and removing the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
- Position the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes until the flesh becomes tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- While roasting, sauté spinach in olive oil until it wilts completely. In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, Parmesan, wilted spinach, and half of the crumbled bacon into a smooth, cohesive filling.
- Remove roasted squash from the oven and carefully flip the halves. Gently scoop out some of the interior flesh, maintaining a one-inch border around the edges to create a sturdy vessel.
- Generously fill the squash cavities with the prepared spinach, bacon, and cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle the remaining bacon pieces over the stuffed squash. Return to the oven and bake at 400F for an additional 15 minutes.
- For an optional crispy finish, broil the stuffed squash for 3-5 minutes until the top turns golden brown and slightly caramelized.
Notes
- Choose a symmetrical squash for even roasting and easy stuffing.
- Remove seeds carefully to create a sturdy vessel for the filling.
- Adjust cheese quantities based on personal dietary preferences or cheese intensity desired.
- Consider swapping bacon with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian versions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg