Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash with Bacon, Beef & Onion Stuffing

Roasted acorn squash stuffed with bacon, ground beef, mushrooms, caramelized onions, spinach and seasonings. Can easily be adapted for vegetarian option.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ground beef, Mushrooms, onion, Spinach, Squash
Servings: 6
Calories: 315kcal

Equipment

  • 2 iron skillets
  • Baking Sheet
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients

  • 3 acorn squash
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 lb grass fed ground beef (85/15) or meat substitute like Beyond Beef or jackfruit
  • 6 slices nitrate free bacon cut crosswise into smaller slices (omit if vegetarian)
  • 1 lg white onion thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil + 1 tsp
  • 1 cup white button cap mushrooms chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups baby spinach chopped
  • 2 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F and line large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Cut acorn squash in half widthwise and scoop out seeds. Cut a small piece off each end to form a base.
  • Brush acorn squash with 1 tsp olive oil and salt. Place face down on baking sheet.
  • Roast for 20-30 minutes. Back of squash should feel soft. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • (omit if vegetarian) Heat one iron skillet over med/hi heat. Add bacon and stir to brown. Remove and drain on paper towel.
  • In same skillet, heat 1½ tbsp olive oil over low heat and add all the sliced onions, stirring to coat. Sprinkle with ½ tsp salt and cook stirring every 5 minutes for a total of 20 minutes. Once onions are a golden brown, remove and set aside.
  • In a separate iron skillet add remaining olive oil and heat over medium. Add mushrooms stir & cook for ~1 minute. Add garlic and stir, cook for another ~1 minute.
  • Add ground beef (or meat substitute) with 3/4 tsp salt, pepper and poultry seasoning, and cook until brown.
  • Lower heat and stir in spinach to wilt. Remove from heat and add in the caramelized onions.  Stir in the cooked bacon (omit if vegetarian).
  • Preheat your broiler. Stuff all roasted squash halves and place the baking sheet under broiler. Broil until the top is crisp, ~4 minutes.