Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Summer Squash
This delightful Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Summer Squash recipe is a heartwarming dish that brings together the savory flavors of crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and garden-fresh summer squash. Inspired by my grandmother's love of cooking and her knack for creating comfort food, this dish is both indulgent and nutritious. Perfect as a side or a light main course, it's a fantastic way to showcase seasonal squash while satisfying your cheese cravings. Enjoy this crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, barbecues, or simply as a cozy dinner at home!
6
Servings
350
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Summer Squash
6 (halved and seeds removed)
Bacon
1/2 lb (cooked and crumbled)
Onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
Breadcrumbs
3/4 cup (plain or seasoned)
Cheddar Cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Paprika
to taste (for garnish)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the squash and boil for about 10 minutes, or until softened.
2
Once cooked, remove the squash from the water and let cool briefly until it can be handled. Remove the stems and cut each squash in half lengthwise.
3
Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the pulp from each squash half, making sure to leave enough flesh to maintain the shape of the shell.
4
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, then remove and place it on paper towels to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
5
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
6
Crumble the cooked bacon and add it to the skillet, along with the breadcrumbs and the reserved squash pulp. Stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Spoon the mixture generously into each squash shell, pressing down lightly to pack it in.
8
Evenly distribute the shredded cheddar cheese on top of each stuffed squash.
9
Preheat your broiler and place the stuffed squash under it for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with paprika to taste before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
20g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Summer Squash?
It is a savory side dish or light main course featuring summer squash shells filled with a mixture of bacon, breadcrumbs, onion, and squash pulp, topped with melted cheddar cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 6 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
How long should I boil the squash?
The squash should be boiled in a large pot for about 10 minutes or until softened.
How do I prepare the squash shells?
After boiling and cooling, remove the stems, cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the pulp while leaving enough flesh to maintain the shell shape.
How much bacon is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of bacon.
What should I do with the bacon drippings?
Reserve 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the skillet to sauté the onions.
How much onion is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of chopped onion.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 25g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 20g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 15g of protein per serving.
What type of breadcrumbs should I use?
You can use 3/4 cup of either plain or seasoned breadcrumbs.
How long do I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions for 3-4 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant.
How is the dish finished in the oven?
The stuffed squash is placed under a broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What garnish is used at the end?
Sprinkle the finished dish with paprika to taste before serving.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
The recipe is tagged as healthy and features fresh summer vegetables, though it is also an indulgent comfort food.
Can I use the squash pulp?
Yes, the reserved squash pulp is crumbled and mixed into the filling with bacon and breadcrumbs.
What is the total ingredient count?
The recipe uses 8 main ingredients.
What category does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized as a Vegetable dish.
How many squash are needed?
You need 6 summer squash for this recipe.
Should the bacon be cooked before stuffing?
Yes, the bacon should be cooked until crispy and then crumbled before being added to the filling mixture.
What is the prep for the summer squash?
The squash should be halved and have the seeds removed.
How do I season the filling?
Season the bacon and breadcrumb mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The provided nutritional data indicates 0g of sugar.
Is there any sodium information?
The recipe does not provide a specific numerical value for sodium.
Can this be served at a barbecue?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser perfect for family gatherings and barbecues.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
It was inspired by the creator's grandmother's knack for creating comforting, heartwarming dishes.
How should I pack the filling?
Spoon the mixture generously into the shells and press down lightly to pack it in.
Does the recipe use fiber?
The fiber content is not specified in the recipe details.