Why do I love this recipe?
This Healthy Stuffed Delicata Squash with Spicy Chicken Sausage and Cranberries recipe is one of my favorite dinners for three reasons:
- It is easy and comes together very quickly (under 30 minutes) if you already have the chicken sausage made in the freezer. You can also buy chicken sausage but you may want to add your own seasonings. If you use my chicken sausage recipe, you don’t need to add any spices.
- It’s low in calories and very filling! Perfect on a fall or winter day.
- Each person gets their own half of the squash and the squash makes a pretty serving dish.
Delicata squash cut in half
What is Delicata squash and can I use other squashes?
What is it? Delicata squash tastes quite a bit like butternut squash but it’s easier to prep. I like using Delicata squash because it’s the perfect size and because it’s easy to cut in half. It has a thin skin compared to the other squashes and the skins are actually edible. But if you can’t find it, acorn, butternut and spaghetti all work well. This squash doesn’t take long to roast in the oven.
Delicata squash cut in half, sprayed with oil and ready to be roasted
How do I cut and roast Delicata Squash?
Delicata squash is so easy to cut and cook! Slice lengthwise in half. Spray with your Olive Oil Mister (paid link) and sprinkle salt and pepper over each half. Place cut side down on a baking sheet (paid link) and bake at 425° for about 25-30 minutes or until squash is tender with a fork. That’s it!
Unique idea for Thanksgiving-Great Stuffing Alternative!
Instead of serving traditional stuffing for Thanksgiving, try making this recipe instead! If you have a huge crowd and don’t want to do individual Delicata squash boats, try cubing (or buying already cut) butternut squash. Roast it on a pan for about 20 minutes or until tender with a fork, then toss it into a big bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Serve as a hot side dish. Your guests will love it! You can even toss in a few toasted pecans for a little crunch. (Just be sure to include them in your point count if you do this).
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Healthy Stuffed Delicata Squash with Spicy Chicken Sausage Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Delicata acorn or butternut squash
- olive oil spray from Olive Oil Mister
- salt and pepper
- 1 lb chicken sausage if you use my recipe with chicken breast it's 2 points, 4 with chicken thighs, if you buy store bought, it may be different
- 1 large yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 stalks celery finely chopped
- 1/2 lb mushrooms chanterelles, or baby bellas
- 1 T. fresh sage finely chopped
- 1 T. fresh thyme finely chopped
- 4 T. dried cranberries or dried cherries
- 4 T. parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°
- Slice Delicata squash (this one is easier to slice than most of them) in half. Scoop out seeds and pulp.
- Spray with olive oil spray (from Olive Oil Mister). Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place on a baking sheet (I like to line mine with parchment paper for easy clean up) cut side down.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until tender. For different squashes you may need to bake them longer.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, spray non stick skillet with olive oil. Add onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms, sage and thyme. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add chicken sausage and cook, breaking up clumps until done.
- When squash is done baking, turn over, place about 3/4 c. chicken sausage mixture into Delicata shell. Top with 1 T. dried cranberries and 1 T. parmesan cheese. Broil for just a minute or so until cheese is melted. Serve right away.
Nutrition
Also try my Healthy Spicy Turkey Sausage Squash Boats. Similar idea but different filling!
Can you be more specific about the size of squash used in this recipe? Delicata squash come in all different sizes, from very small to quite large. What size did you have in mind when you wrote this recipe?
I try and get a delicata squash that is about 7 inches long and 4 inches wide. Hope this helps!