This recipe has been updated for content and photographs since it’s original publication in 2014.
If you’re looking for healthy acorn squash recipes, this quinoa stuffed acorn squash is easy and delicious. It’s filled with a sweet and savory blend of tender apples, crispy pancetta and a bit of parmesan cheese, plus healthy, protein rich quinoa. This gluten-free stuffed acorn squash makes a great light main course, or holiday side dish. Make it vegetarian by skipping the pancetta and upping the parmesan. Make it vegan by swapping parmesan for nutritional yeast. Versatility is virtue, don’t you think?
Before we get into the recipe, I’d like to preface this by saying that, Scott — my better half, doesn’t like acorn squash. At all. It stems from a particular childhood incident where he wasn’t allowed to leave the dinner table until he’d finished his squash, which he described as over-cooked, mushy and swimming in sticky-sweet syrup. There were threats. There was admonishment and eventually the offending vegetable was consumed… and promptly came right back up again (nice visual, right?). Hence, his intense aversion. Consequently, when he spied not one — but TWO acorn squash on the counter, he gagged in memory. I had my work cut out for me.
If you’re not a fan of mushy vegetables and overly sweet sides, you’ll appreciate this recipe. The coriander and fennel spice blend for this quinoa stuffed acorn squash isn’t overly sweet, and adds an interesting layer of flavor that you wouldn’t otherwise expect. It’s really delicious — if you like a little heat, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the mix for a little tongue tingling fun.
Ingredients For Stuffed Acorn Squash Spice Blend
- Coriander – adds a citrusy, floral spice
- Fennel – addsa light, sweet anise flavor (like licorice)
- Brown Sugar (just a little)
- Kosher Salt
- Crushed Red Pepper – adds heat (optional)
NOTE: I prefer to use whole coriander seed and fennel seed ground in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Whole spices will have a deeper more concentrated flavor than the preground variety.
When you think of healthy acorn squash recipes, you’re probably not thinking of crispy pancetta or parmesan cheese, however, you don’t need a lot of either ingredient to make a flavorful impact on the overall stuffed squash. These simple add-ins take stuffed acorn squash recipes to the next level.
Ingredients For Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash Filling
- Cooked Quinoa
- Diced Pancetta
- Diced Apples
- Chopped Thyme
- Chopped Parsley
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Type Of Quinoa To Use For Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
I used tri-colored quinoa for this recipe, but feel free to use red or plain quinoa. It doesn’t matter. Cook the quinoa according to the package directions. You’ll notice the white germ ring that releases from the grain. That’s normal. Just fluff the quinoa with a fork before blending with the other stuffing ingredients.
Assembling Apple Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash with Crispy Pancetta
- Grind the spices in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Combine the spices with brown sugar and kosher salt.
- Brush the cut acorn squash with olive oil and sprinkle with the spice blend. Roast the squash until just tender.
- While squash are cooking, make the crispy pancetta by sautéing in a little olive oil in a sauté pan. Transfer pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Quick sauté the apples in the rendered fat from the pancetta.
- Combine the cooked quinoa, apples, pancetta, parmesan cheese and herbs together and toss until well mixed.
- Fill the squash with stuffing mixture. If it appears dry, drizzle a little olive oil over it and return the squash to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the stuffing is lightly browned and crispy. (It’s those crispy bits that everyone loves).
Happily, my quinoa stuffed acorn squash with crispy pancetta bears no resemblance to the sweet-syrupy, mushy squash of my husband’s youth. Nope. This stuffed squash has texture, color and a wonderful aroma thanks to the spice blend. The sautéed apples add tangy sweet pops to the filling and the crispy pancetta adds enough porky goodness to keep it interesting for my carnivore husband. It’s seriously delicious and I think, impressive enough for a special family meal or holiday side dish.
More Healthy Acorn Squash Recipes:
- Thai-Style Pumpkin Squash Soup
- Best Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
- Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe from Dawn at Girl Heart Food
- Maple Roasted Acorn Squash from Sarah at Champagne Tastes
More Healthy Fall Side Dishes:
- Basmati Rice Pilaf with Roasted Fall Vegetables
- Butternut Squash Risotto
- Kale and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
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Quinoa and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
ingredients
- 2 small acorn squash (about 1 pound each)
- 6 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander seed
- 1 teaspoon whole fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 cup quinoa cooked according to package directions.
- 2 medium apple peeled and finely diced
- 1/2 cup finely diced pancetta
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
Optional
- extra olive oil for drizzling before baking stuffed squash
instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Using a sharp chefs knife, carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Place on a roasting pan and coat the inside of each with a teaspoon of olive oil.
- In a mortar and pestle (or spice grinder) grind together the coriander and fennel seed. Mix in the kosher salt and brown sugar, stir to combine. Sprinkle the spice blend over the cut side of the squash and place cut side down on the roasting pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until the squash is just tender.
- While the acorn squash bakes, heat remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add pancetta and cook until browned, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to a folded paper towel to drain. Reserve fat in the pan and add the diced apples to the pan and cook over medium high heat until apples are slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- In a medium bowl combine cooked quinoa, pancetta, thyme and parsley, apples and parmesan cheese. Toss to combine. Fill acorn squash with quinoa stuffing (it's okay if some falls to the baking sheet - the crispy bits are the best part). If stuffing seems dry, drizzle a little extra olive oil over the squash boats. Heat in oven for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through. Serve.
Notes
You can change this dish up if you wanted it to be vegetarian, by eliminating the pancetta. Make it vegan by also skipping the parmesan cheese. Since those two ingredients add a salty element, consider adding in some chopped olives or capers -- and golden raisins for a sweet hit.
Nutrition
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This was awesome!!! My whole family loved it! I wouldn’t change a thing and I will be making this again.
I’m so glad they enjoyed it, Ann Marie!
I also never made acorn squash before. Yours looks so delicious, interesting mixture filling with quinoa and apple. 🙂
I love to try new things, and this was a good combination. Give it a try!