Golden Herb-Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe for Fall Magic

Golden autumn brings a delightful acorn squash recipe that will warm your soul.

Roasted squash halves nestled with savory herb-cheese stuffing create a mouthwatering centerpiece for seasonal dining.

Creamy cheese and fragrant herbs dance together in this elegant side dish.

Each bite promises a delicate balance of rich, comforting flavors that celebrate fall’s bounty.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning presentation that impresses at any gathering.

Robust herbs and melted cheese complement the sweet, tender squash perfectly.

Your dinner table awaits this delectable culinary masterpiece that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Herb-Cheese Acorn Squash: Ingredient Snapshot

• Acorn Squash: Select firm, heavy squash with deep green color and no soft spots for best flavor and texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, crispy exterior and adds rich, smooth taste to squash.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance natural squash sweetness and provide balanced flavor profile.

• Spinach: Fresh, nutrient-packed green that adds vibrant color and earthy undertones to the dish.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, luxurious texture and helps bind other ingredients together.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty flavor and contributes to delightful golden crust when broiled.

• Thyme: Delicate herb that introduces subtle, woodsy notes and complements the squash's natural sweetness.

Tools You’ll Use for Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Baking sheet: Large, flat pan for roasting squash evenly in the oven.
• Large skillet: Perfect for wilting spinach quickly and efficiently.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cream cheese, Parmesan, and spinach.
• Microwave: Quick tool for softening cream cheese to the right consistency.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for safely slicing acorn squash in half.
• Spoon: Helps scoop out seeds and stuff squash with cheese mixture.

Cooking Instructions for Cheesy Herb Acorn Squash

• Squash Preparation

Cut the acorn squash carefully down its center, removing the inner seeds and stringy parts. Place the halves on a baking sheet with the cut sides facing upward, drizzling olive oil and adding a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

• Roasting Foundation

Place the squash in a hot oven at 400°F, positioning the cut sides downward. Allow the squash to roast for approximately 30 minutes, developing a tender and caramelized exterior.

• Herbal Cheese Blend

Sauté fresh spinach in a skillet until it becomes soft and releases its moisture. Combine the wilted spinach with cream cheese and Parmesan, creating a rich and creamy filling that will complement the sweet squash.

• Final Transformation

Flip the roasted squash halves so the cut sides face upward. Generously fill each half with the spinach and cheese mixture, sprinkling fresh thyme across the top. Return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become golden.

• Finishing Touch

Activate the broiler for a quick 3-5 minute session, creating a beautiful crispy top that adds texture and deepens the flavor profile of this elegant dish.

Flavor Tweaks for Herb-Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Swap cream cheese and Parmesan with goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese for unique flavor profiles that elevate the dish's richness.
• Fold cooked crumbled bacon, diced chicken, or plant-based sausage into the spinach-cheese mixture for added protein and depth.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or za'atar seasoning to introduce exciting warmth and complexity to the filling.
• Top the stuffed squash with toasted pine nuts, breadcrumbs, or pumpkin seeds just before serving to create delightful textural contrast.
• Prepare roasted squash and cheese mixture separately up to two days in advance, then assemble and reheat when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

How to Serve Roasted Acorn Squash with Style

• Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Arrange the stuffed acorn squash on a rustic wooden board with fresh thyme sprigs for a stunning presentation that will impress guests.
• Protein Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or sliced herb-crusted pork tenderloin to create a complete and satisfying meal.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Dish: Garnish with a light sprinkle of toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to enhance the herb-cheese flavors and add a gourmet touch.
• Quick Lunch Solution: Pack the stuffed squash halves in individual containers for a delicious and nutritious work or school lunch that reheats beautifully.

Storage Tips for Acorn Squash Meals

• Advance Prep: Chop spinach and grate cheese up to 2 days before cooking to streamline meal preparation and save time in the kitchen.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover stuffed acorn squash in an airtight container for 3-4 days, keeping the crispy top separate to maintain texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the squash's original crispy edges and melted cheese consistency.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap unstuffed roasted squash halves individually in freezer-safe wrap, storing up to 2 months for quick future meals – thaw overnight in refrigerator before restuffing and reheating.

Golden Herb-Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired herb-cheese stuffed acorn squash delivers robust flavors from Greece and Italy. Creamy goat cheese and aromatic herbs nestled in roasted squash create a delightful seasonal meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 medium acorn squash
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 3 oz (85 g) fresh spinach
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (3 g) fresh thyme
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with a rack positioned in the middle, creating an ideal roasting environment.
2. Squash Preparation: Halve the acorn squash lengthwise, meticulously scooping out seeds and inner membranes to create clean, uniform cavities.
3. Initial Roasting: Arrange squash halves cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Flip cut-side down and roast for 30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
4. Filling Creation: Sauté spinach in olive oil until wilted, then drain thoroughly. Soften cream cheese in microwave and blend with Parmesan and prepared spinach, creating a rich, creamy mixture.
5. Stuffing and Final Roasting: Turn squash halves cut-side up, generously fill with spinach-cheese mixture, and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Return to oven for 20 minutes, then broil for 3-5 minutes until top turns golden and crispy.
6. Serving: Allow stuffed squash to rest for 2-3 minutes, enabling cheese to set and flavors to harmonize before presenting this elegant, herb-infused dish.

Notes

• Squash Selection Strategy: Choose acorn squash with smooth, dense skin and no soft spots to ensure even cooking and best texture.
• Knife Safety Tip: Use a sharp, stable chef’s knife and cut squash carefully on a non-slip cutting board to prevent slipping and potential injury.
• Moisture Management: Press wilted spinach thoroughly to remove excess water, preventing watery filling and maintaining the stuffing’s rich, creamy consistency.
• Broiling Precision: Watch the stuffed squash closely during final broiling stage, as cheese can quickly burn; rotate pan if needed for uniform golden-brown coloring.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg