Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash - Delicious & Gut Friendly

Stuffed butternut squash is a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious dish perfect for showcasing seasonal ingredients. This recipe features gut-friendly ingredients like fiber-rich butternut squash, probiotic-boosting apples, and savory sausage, creating a balanced meal that supports your digestive health. Whether you're meal prepping or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser with wholesome benefits for your gut and overall well-being.

This apple sausage stuffed butternut squash recipe is perfect for fall, making it an ideal dish for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or any cozy family meal. The prep time on this easy recipe is just 10 minutes, and the roasting time is 45 minutes, leaving you with plenty of time to relax while the oven does the work. How easy is that?

This dish was inspired by my love for seasonal, gut-healthy meals and pairs wonderfully with a fresh kale salad or roasted vegetables on the side.

For an extra boost of nutrition, I recommend serving it with a dollop of my homemade probiotic-rich yogurt or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. You can even add quinoa or brown rice to the stuffing for added fiber, but it's just as satisfying without. It's that simple!

Jump to:

• 💖 Why You'll Love This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe?
• 🥣 Ingredients For Stuffed Butternut Squash
• 👩‍🍳 Directions For Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe
• 🩺 Key Nutritional Health Benefits of This Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe
• 🧡 Learn How to Make an Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe
• 📖 Recipe
• ⭐️ Pro Nutrition Tip
• 💙 Substitutions
• 🥚 Healthy Food Swaps Guide
• 🍴 Variations
• 🍽️ Serving Suggestions For Squash Stuffed With Sausage
• ❄️ Storage
• 🥘 Meal Prep Tips
• 🍳 Equipment
• My favorite sheet pan!
• 🤔 ⁉️ FAQ - Common Questions
• 😀 Enjoy This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe!
• ❤️ You Might Also Love These
• 🤲 Pairing
• 💬 Comments

🥣 Ingredients For Stuffed Butternut Squash

To make this delicous squash stuffed with squash recipe, you will simply need to gather a few key ingredients to create a tasty dinner today.

1. Butternut Squash - I love using butternut squash, but you can swap with acorn squash.
2. Sausage - I used ground Italian turkey sausage, but you can use chicken or pork sausage.
3. Apple - I used Honeycrisp apples but Granny Smith apples work well too.
4. Spinach - It adds a nutrient-rich boost of iron, magnesium, and antioxidants, all of which support gut health and overall wellness.
5. Olive Oil - I like to use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil, but you can swap it for coconut oil too.
6. Garlic - Natural prebiotic properties, which help feed beneficial gut bacteria, while also adding a flavorful aromatic depth to the dish.
7. Onion - I like to use a sweet yellow onion, but a white onion is perfect too. A red onion will change the flavor slightly, but also works.
8. Thyme - For this recipe, I used ground thyme, but you can also add fresh thyme instead.
9. Sage - Used for its earthy, savory flavor and its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which can support digestion and gut health.
10. Cinnamon - Added for its warm, comforting flavor and its anti-inflammatory properties, which can support gut health and stabilize blood sugar levels.
11. Cranberries - Added for their natural sweetness, high antioxidant content, and their ability to support urinary and gut health by promoting a healthy balance of bacteria.
12. Pecans - Included for their satisfying crunch, healthy fats, and fiber content, which support gut health and provide sustained energy.
13. Pomegrante Seeds - These little pomegranate seeds are packed full of juicy flavor, but also with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Also, contain good amounts of antioxidants, which is especially important during the cold and flu season.

See the recipe card for quantities.

👩‍🍳 Directions For Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe

This gut-healthy stuffed butternut squash recipe highlights the best of fall's bounty, combining sweet apples, savory sausage, and the creamy richness of butternut squash.

Step 1: Roast the Butternut Squash

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until fork-tender.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. Stir in the onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the diced apple, thyme, sage, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the apple softens. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, until wilted. Add the cranberries and pecans, then mix to combine.

Step 3: Stuff the Squash

Once the squash is roasted, remove it from the oven and flip it over. Use a spoon to scoop out some of the squash flesh, creating a deeper cavity for the filling. Reserve the scooped squash flesh and mix it into the filling for added creaminess. Spoon the filling evenly into the squash halves.

Step 4: Bake the Stuffed Squash

Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for an extra burst of flavor and color.

🩺 Key Nutritional Health Benefits of This Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe

Enjoy this stuffed butternut squash for a gut-healthy, flavorful, and seasonal meal that's sure to please everyone at the table!

Here's a closer look at the nutritional perks of this delicious fall or winter recipe.

• Butternut Squash - Rich in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, which support gut health, boost immunity, and act as antioxidants to reduce inflammation.
• Apples - Contain pectin, a prebiotic fiber that nourishes gut bacteria, aiding in digestion and supporting a healthy microbiome.
• Sausage - High-quality sausage adds protein and flavor. Opt for pasture-raised or nitrate-free sausage to reduce inflammation and support overall gut health.

🧡 Learn How to Make an Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe

This stuffed butternut squash recipe is a comforting, gut-healthy meal packed with seasonal flavors like sweet apples, savory sausage, and nutrient-rich spinach.

The natural sweetness of butternut squash pairs perfectly with the savory filling, creating a dish that's as delicious as it is nourishing.

📖 Recipe

💙 Substitutions

This recipe is easy to make, with plenty of options to tailor it to your preferences in terms of dietary needs. Check out some easy substitutions and variations to customize this recipe to your liking.

• Pecan - Use walnuts instead of pecans.
• Vegetarian Option - Replace sausage with crumbled tempeh or sautéed mushrooms for a plant-based sausage protein alternative.
• Sausage - Swap with ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
• Cranberries - Swap with raisins.

🍴 Variations

Here are a few variations for my stuffed butternut squash recipe.

• Nut-Free - Omit walnuts or pecans and try sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Dairy-Free - No adjustments needed, but feel free to top with a dollop of coconut yogurt for extra creaminess.
• Spicy - Use spicy flavored hot sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Extra Veggies - Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or carrots to the filling for more texture and nutrients.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions For Squash Stuffed With Sausage

• Serve alongside a simple green salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette.
• Pair with roasted Brussel sprouts vegetables or green beans for a well-rounded meal.
• Add a dollop of probiotic rich Greek yogurt, drizzle of tahini for extra creaminess, or dairy-free yogurt for a creamy topping.
• Serve with your favorite whole grain, such as quinoa or wild rice, for added fiber.

❄️ Storage

• Refrigerator - Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer - Wrap each stuffed squash half tightly in foil or a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
• Reheating - Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. If frozen, thaw overnight before reheating.

🥘 Meal Prep Tips

• Pre-Roast the Squash - Cut the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until tender. Once cooled, store the halves in an airtight container for quick reheating.
• Cook the Sausage Filling - Prepare the sausage (and any accompanying veggies or seasonings) ahead of time. Drain excess fat and store the mixture separately in the fridge.
• Pre-Mix Stuffing Components - If your recipe includes additional ingredients like onions, garlic, or herbs, mix these with the cooked sausage. This helps ensure a balanced flavor and makes assembling faster.
• Assemble When Ready - For a fresh meal, reheat the roasted squash halves and spoon in your pre-cooked sausage mixture. If you prefer, you can assemble everything ahead and heat it together when you're ready to eat.
• Portion for Convenience - Divide the assembled stuffed squash into individual meal prep containers. This makes it easy to grab a nutritious, gut-friendly meal throughout the week.
• Freeze Extra Portions - If you're preparing for a longer period, freeze any extra portions in freezer-safe containers. Reheat in the oven or microwave when needed for a quick, nourishing meal.

🍳 Equipment

Sheet pans are the way to go for easy meal prep recipes. Plus, cleanup is so easy when you line them with a sheet of parchment paper. Who else hates cleaning a sink full of dishes?

I personally love the sheet pans by Wilton. These sheet pans are non-stick steel, and dishwasher safe.

🤔 ⁉️ FAQ - Common Questions

😀 Enjoy This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe!

Enjoy this stuffed butternut squash recipe for a meal that's as delicious as it is gut-healthy! Perfect for fall and winter gatherings or an everyday nourishing dinner.

I hope you guys love this recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you post to Instagram, I repost your remakes of your creations on my IG stories!

I would also love to hear what you think, or take a photo and tag me @EatYourNutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva

❤️ You Might Also Love These

Looking for other butternut squash recipes like this? Try these:

🤲 Pairing

These are my favorite recipes to serve with this stuffed butternut squash:

Are You Interested in More Meal Prep Recipes?

If you're interested in trying new meal prep recipes or would like some tips on how to eat healthy, check out this great guide today.

Meal Prep for Creating Healthy Balanced Meals Guide is the key to your success when you have health and wellness goals.

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