Italian sausage in a creamy tomato sauce nestled into squash halves makes for a cozy meal on a cold evening. This recipe works with either butternut or delicata squash. Delicata squash is delicious, but it’s hard to locate outside the fall months.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy-to-make recipe for Creamy Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash.
1. Info for Creamy Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Cook Time: 1 hr 15 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
- Servings: 4
2. Ingredients for Creamy Sausage-Stuffed Butternut Squash
- 2 delicata squash (medium)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. mild Italian sausage (removed from casings)
- 1/2 onion (medium, finely diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3. Directions:
3.1 Preheat
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
3.2 Prep
Cut the ends from the squash, then slice in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove the seedy internal cavity from each squash half. Arrange the halves cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3.3 Oven
Roast the squash on middle rack of oven until it is fork-tender, 40-45 minutes. While the squash bakes, prepare the filling.
3.4 Stove
Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once oil is shimmering, add the sausage and diced onion. Saute, breaking up the meat with a rubber spatula as it cooks, until it is browned and the onion is translucent, 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the diced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to bubble and the liquid has reduced slightly, 2-3 minutes. Add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese and stir. Continue cooking until the cream is gently bubbling, 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
3.5 Prep
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip squash halves so they are cut-side up. Divide the sausage mixture evenly between each squash half, gently packing it into the center cavity. Divide the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over each mound of filling.
3.6 Oven
Return the baking sheet to middle rack of oven and bake until the cheese is melted and lightly golden, 11-14 minutes.
3.7 Check
Check to see that squash is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
3.8 Serve
Transfer the squash halves to serving plates and serve immediately.