Cheesy Acorn Squash Recipes

CHEESY RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the squash, cut-side up, in a large microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water; dot with 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce with a knife to vent. Microwave until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese, stirring to melt. Add the nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the rice and spinach.
• Transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet and fill with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

PERFECT ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
• To prepare the squash, use a sharp chef's knife to slice through it from the tip to the stem. I find it easiest to pierce the squash in the center along a depression line, then cut through the tip, and finish by slicing through the top portion just next to the stem. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits inside, and discard those pieces.
• Place the squash halves cut side up on the parchment-lined pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the squash, and sprinkle with the salt. Rub the oil into the cut sides of the squash, then turn them over so the cut sides are against the pan.
• Bake until the squash flesh is very easily pierced through by a fork, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of your squash. Add any desired toppings, and serve warm.

CHEESY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half and scrape out the seeds (set aside for replanting or discard) and place the squash cut side up in 13x9 baking dish. Add 1/2 cup water to dish and cover. Bake 40 minutes or until squash is tender. Mix butter, sugar and oil and spoon over squash. Top with cheese and cinnamon and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
• 2. Note: To make squash easier to cut in half, pierce the whole squash in several pieces with a sharp knife. Place on microwave plate and heat on high for 2 minutes. Cook for 2 minutes and cut in half.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the acorn squash: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Trim the tops and bottoms off the squash. Cut in half horizontally so the cut-ends will keep the pieces flat. Clean the inside of the squash. Separate the seeds from the membranes and rinse well. Dry the seeds with a paper towel and set aside.
• Place the squash cut-side up on a baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Place the seeds on a separate baking sheet or foil. Roast the squash 30 minutes. Roast the seeds at the same time, checking and moving them around after 10 minutes and again after 20 minutes. Depending on the size of the seeds, they may be done after 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes. Sprinkle the seeds with the remaining salt, and set aside with the squash.
• For the filling: Set a large saute pan over high heat and add the butter. When melted, add the cabbage, onions, peppers, sprinkle with salt and pepper and gently toss to combine. Allow the cabbage to wilt down, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and toss to combine. Saute 2 to 4 minutes longer, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• For assembling: Preheat the broiler to low. Fill the roasted acorn squash halves with the filling. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the top, then top with the roasted squash seeds. Broil just until the cheese is warm. Garnish with a small amount of Italian parsley, if using, and serve.

SWEET AND YUMMY MASHED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place acorn squash, cut-side down, on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Flip squash and sprinkle cinnamon into the center and dot with butter. Continue baking until flesh can be easily pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes more.
• Scoop flesh into a bowl and mix in brown sugar until evenly combined.

CHEESY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Cut squash in half and remove the seeds.
• Rub the cut flesh with salt and place flesh side down in a baking dish and bake for about 35 minutes.
• While the squash is baking, sauté onion in butter until clear and add chopped broccoli florets, mushrooms and celery.
• Sauté about 4 minutes.
• Stir in walnuts and fresh basil, then sprinkle with brown sugar and soy sauce, adjust seasoning to taste. Toss to mix well.
• Check baking squash with a fork to see if it glides through the flesh.
• Stuff with vegetable mixture, top with equal amounts of grated cheese and return to oven for about 5 minutes.
• NOTES : Baked acorn squash halves stuffed with sautéed broccoli, cheese and walnuts.