You are going to love Tex-Mex acorn squash stuffed with ground turkey! Roasted acorn squash halves are stuffed with lean ground turkey that has been flavored with Mexican seasoning and topped with cheese.
Tex Mex Acorn Squash Stuffed with Ground Turkey
The combination of the savory-spicy ground turkey and sweet squash balance each other out for a comforting meal that is served in its own edible bowl. It's perfectly portioned too, can it get any easier?
These little stuffed squash bowls taste great when you first serve them and even better the next day. They can be easily stored in the refrigerator and re-heated. Make up a double batch and use what's leftover during the week for lunch or a quick dinner.
Serve your Tex-Mex acorn squash with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh Baby Arugula Fig Salad
Try our stuffed zucchini with ground beef and rice recipe!
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Here is What you will need to Tex Mex Acorn Squash with Ground Turkey
- Acorn squash - When selecting acorn squash, look for squash that is blemish-free with a firm exterior. It should also feel heavy for its size.
- Olive oil
- Ground turkey breast
- Canned or dried black beans that have been cooked
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Ground Cumin
- Fresh or canned diced tomatoes to add flavor and moisture to the filling
- Jalapeno pepper to add some heat, leave it out if you don't like hot food
- Cheese - cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack or a combination of all three
- Skillet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven-Proof Baking Dish
How to Make Acorn Squash Stuffed with Ground Turkey
There are a only a few easy steps needed to make this recipe. The first thing you need to do is cut the squash. Use a sharp heavy knife and cut off the stem and slice the squash it down the middle vertically. Scoop out the seeds and set them aside. Spread a little bit of olive oil on the squash halves and place them on a pan cut side down and roast them.
While the squash is roasting, you can make the filling for the squash. Brown the meat in a skillet, add the vegetables, seasonings and beans. Once the squash halves are cooked, add the prepared filling and sprinkle the stuffed squash with cheese. Bake the squash bowls until the cheese melts.
It will take approximately 50 to 60 Minutes to make this recipe.
Make it Ahead of Time
This is a great recipe for meal prepping ahead of time. Here's how: prepare the squash and the filling, stuff the squash but leave the cheese off and store the squash bowls in the refrigerator. When it's time to eat, place the squash in an oven proof dish and cover it. Bake the squash bowls at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and sprinkle on the cheese and cook it for 10 minutes more.
Change it Up
- Ground turkey can be replaced with ground chicken or beef
- Make it Vegetarian Replace the ground turkey with 1 cup of cooked quinoa
- Make it Vegan/Dairy Free - leave out the meat and cheese and sprinkle with nutritional yeast
- Short Cut - Stuff the roasted squash halves with leftover chili
A few more Tex-Mex Favorites
- Slow Cooked Chili Chicken
- Healthy Beef Tacos
- Texas Breakfast Tacos
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil - divided
- 6 ounces ground turkey breast
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes - fresh or canned
- 1 small jalapeno pepper diced - optional
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Prepare:
- preheat the oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- cut the squash in half vertically with a sharp knife
- scoop out the seeds from the squash and set them aside for another use such as roasting them
- chop the garlic, onion, peppers and tomatoes and set them aside
- measure the spices
- shred the cheese
Make it:
- Brush the inside of the squash with olive oil and place it cut side down and roast them until the flesh becomes soft - about 40 minutes
- While squash is roasting add ½ tablespoon olive oil to a pan, add the ground turkey and cook until lightly brown
- Add the onion, garlic and seasonings and stir in the tomatoes and beans reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes more
- Add the filling to the roasted squash halves and top them with cheese.
- Bake until the cheese melts about 10 minutes
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Daniela says
Stuffed acorn squash may just be one of the most amazing recipes for this time of year! Pure comfort!
anne says
Thank you Daniella!
tina says
These stuffed acorn squashes are so perfect for fall <3
Heather Harris says
Wow, it’s almost too gorgeous to eat! Well, almost 😉
anne says
Nothing is too gorgeous to eat Heather!
Hetaher@easyketodishes says
Yum, I’ll bet those jalapeños give it a nice little kick!
anne says
Yes they do Hetaher!
Don Baiocchi says
Yum! Such great comfort food but with so much flavor.
Raia Todd says
Love those flavors and the cheese on top! My family is going to enjoy this, thanks!
anne says
Enjoy!
ChihYu says
I love Tex-Mex and this is outstanding! The flavors go so well with the squash!
anne says
Thank you ChihYu!
Cathy says
I'm loving this! Serving the Tex-Mex filling in squash is fun and delicious!
Hope says
Loving all the flavours in this dish! So hearty and comforting!
anne says
Thank you Hope!
Zuzana says
I so love how you have incorporated the mexican flavors in this.
anne says
Thank you Zuzana!
Megan Stevens says
Yum yum! Such a fun and delicious idea. My family will love. Mexican ground meat is so affordable, as are acorn squash - and everyone is always happy with dinners like these. Thanks for the great idea.