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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with a rack positioned in the middle, creating an ideal roasting environment.
- Squash Preparation: Halve the acorn squash lengthwise, meticulously scooping out seeds and inner membranes to create clean, uniform cavities.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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