Savory Acorn Squash Bowls
Experience autumn in every bite with these Savory Acorn Squash Bowls. This recipe takes tender, roasted acorn squash halves and fills them with a flavorful blend of seasoned ground beef, rice, and a tangy-sweet sauce that will delight your taste buds. Infused with comforting flavors and delightful textures, this dish is sure to be a family favorite, no matter what age you are. Serve these beautiful squash bowls at your next fall gathering, and enjoy the leftovers, which are just as delicious. Perfect for a cozy dinner and a great way to make use of seasonal produce, your plates will be bursting with flavor and warmth.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
acorn squash
3 medium (halved and seeded)
ground beef
2 lbs (uncooked)
eggs
2 (beaten)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (packed)
dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons (for mixing)
steak sauce
1 tablespoon (such as A-1)
Minute Rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
salt
1 teaspoon (divided)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (freshly ground)
ketchup
1 cup (for sauce)
brown sugar
2/3 cup (packed for sauce)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
mustard
5 teaspoons (for sauce)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Carefully slice the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the halves cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the flesh is tender.
3
While the squash is baking, combine the ground beef, eggs, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried onion flakes, steak sauce, uncooked Minute Rice, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined and refrigerate until the squash is ready.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, and salt to make the basting sauce. Set aside.
5
After 30 minutes, remove the squash from the oven and flip the halves cut side up. Fill each squash half generously with the meat mixture, mounding extra on top.
6
Drizzle the basting sauce over the stuffed squash, ensuring each half is well-coated.
7
Return the filled squash to the oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes, basting with extra sauce every 10 minutes for added flavor and moisture.
8
If you have additional filling, you can cook it separately in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked.
9
Once done, heat any remaining basting sauce in a small pan for serving alongside the squash.
10
Serve the savory acorn squash bowls warm and enjoy with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary vegetable used in this recipe?
The primary vegetable used in this recipe is acorn squash.
How many acorn squashes are required for this dish?
You will need 3 medium acorn squashes, which are halved and seeded.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the squash halves bake initially?
The squash halves should be baked cut side down for 30 minutes until the flesh is tender.
What kind of meat is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of uncooked ground beef.
Do I need to cook the ground beef before mixing it?
No, the ground beef is mixed uncooked with the other filling ingredients before being baked inside the squash.
What type of rice is included in the meat mixture?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of uncooked Minute Rice.
How many eggs are needed for the savory acorn squash bowls?
You will need 2 beaten eggs to help bind the meat mixture.
What flavorings are added to the ground beef mixture?
The mixture includes lemon juice, brown sugar, dried onion flakes, steak sauce, salt, and pepper.
What kind of steak sauce is recommended?
The recipe suggests using a steak sauce such as A-1.
What ingredients are in the basting sauce?
The basting sauce consists of ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, and salt.
How much ketchup is used for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of ketchup for the basting sauce.
Is the brown sugar packed or loose?
The brown sugar should be packed for both the meat mixture and the sauce.
How much lemon juice is needed in total?
You will need 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in total: 2 for the meat mixture and 2 for the sauce.
Should the squash be face up or face down when stuffed?
After the initial bake, the squash should be flipped cut side up to be filled with the meat mixture.
How long is the second baking period once the squash is stuffed?
The stuffed squash is baked for an additional 40 minutes.
How often should the squash be basted?
You should baste the squash with extra sauce every 10 minutes during the final 40-minute bake.
What should I do if I have leftover meat filling?
If you have extra filling, you can cook it separately in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked.
How should the remaining basting sauce be served?
Heat any remaining basting sauce in a small pan and serve it alongside the squash.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a family favorite that will delight people of all ages.
Can I eat the leftovers?
Yes, the leftovers are just as delicious and perfect for a cozy dinner.
What season is this dish best suited for?
This dish is perfect for autumn and fall gatherings as it uses seasonal produce.
How much mustard is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 5 teaspoons of mustard for the basting sauce.
What is the preparation for the onion flakes?
The 2 tablespoons of dried onion flakes are used for mixing directly into the meat mixture.
How much salt is used in total?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of salt: 1 teaspoon (divided) for the meat and 1/2 teaspoon for the sauce.
Does the recipe provide nutritional information?
The provided data does not list specific values for calories, fat, protein, or carbohydrates.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients listed in this recipe.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include autumn recipe, comfort food, family dinner, stuffed squash, and seasonal produce.
What is the overall flavor profile of the dish?
The dish offers a blend of savory meat and a tangy-sweet sauce over tender roasted squash.
Should the lemon juice be fresh?
Yes, the recipe specifies using freshly squeezed lemon juice.