This Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe combines tender squash, rice, sweet cranberries and a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg. This scrumptious fall recipe can be enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
This stuffed acorn squash recipe is a sponsored post with Egg Farmers of Canada but, as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make Girl Heart Food possible and for helping me continue to do what I love – cook, eat and share delicious recipes with you guys! #WorldEggDay
Hey friends!
Sharing an easy fall recipe with you guys today…one that would be delicious for any meal.
Just think….
Bacon and eggs.
Good, right?
Now, add acorn squash with stuffing that includes rice, sweet cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Top the whole thing with a perfectly fried sunny-side up egg.
Oh, yeah…there’s all sorts of deliciousness goin’ on here.
Plus, the acorn squash is like a plate…how fun is that?
Now, let’s talk more about one of my fave ingredients – eggs 🙂
World Egg Day
World Egg Day? Wait, isn’t that every day?
For those of you who don’t know, tomorrow, October 11th is World Egg Day. So, it’s a perfect excuse to enjoy some.
Why eggs?
- Well, they’re super duper easy to prepare
- You can enjoy them all sorts of ways, from fried to poached to scrambled
- They can be used in sweet and savoury recipes, alike
- You can enjoy them for any meal of the day (case in point with this delicious stuffed squash recipe 😉 )
- Helloooooo budget friendly
- And, personal fave, the eggs that we get right here in Newfoundland are produced my local farmers. Now that’s farm to table eatin’ right there!
Supporting local and eating local is definitely a big thing with me. If you follow along Girl Heart Food you know how much I love using local ingredients from local producers (and even occasionally growing some of our own produce).
Supporting and eating local is good for you and for the economy. When you support local, it means that people in your area can work, support their families and provide jobs for others surrounding them.
Plus, when you support local, you are having less of an environmental impact than buying from elsewhere. Not to mention, what you’re eating is fresh!
In Canada, there are over 1000 egg farming families that work hard to bring Canadians a quality product that they can enjoy with just about every meal.
And, if that wasn’t exciting enough, Chef Lynn Crawford has teamed up with Egg Farmers of Canada to showcase all the lovely families providing us eggs all throughout Canada. Pretty cool, huh?
Eggs are a staple in our home, right alongside milk, bread and cheese. They’re always in the fridge.
How do you enjoy your eggs? Do tell!
Ingredients Needed for This Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
- Eggs (of course)!
- Acorn squash
- Rice
- Bacon
- Dried cranberries
- Pumpkin seeds
- Olive oil and butter
- Seasoning, including salt, pepper and pumpkin pie spice
- Sage leaves if you want to have a little garnish.
What Does Acorn Squash Taste Like?
Acorn squash is very mild in taste and just a tad sweeter than fresh pumpkin.
Because it’s mild in taste, whatever you pair with it stands out!
How to Roast Acorn Squash & Stuff It
Prepare Acorn Squash
- Carefully cut each acorn squash in half from the top to the bottom and scoop out seeds. You can discard those or roast them for a snack later. Then, slice a little off the back side of the squash so it rests flat on your baking sheet.
Season Acorn Squash
- Place cut acorn squash on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with pumpkin spice, salt and pepper. Roast until tender. You’ll know it’s done when it easily pierces with a fork or knife.
Tip: If you are simply roasting squash and enjoying as is, skip the next step.
Make Stuffing for Squash
- Meanwhile, cook rice per package instructions and crisp bacon. Combine with pumpkin seeds and stuff into roasted acorn squash.
Prepare Eggs And Finish Assembling Squash
- When there’s only a couple minutes left on the squash, start preparing eggs. Once cooked, top each acorn squash and garnish if you like!
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Can I Prepare The Eggs Another Way?
You sure can!
I opted for a sunny-side up egg for this recipe, but over-easy or even poached would work great!
When the yolks are runny, it not only makes for a pretty presentation, but the yolk creates a ‘sauce’ for the stuffed acorn squash.
Can I Stuff the Squash With Another Filling?
Absolutely!
Prefer not to use rice? Try –
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Farro
- Grits
- Creamy polenta
Can I Make This a Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash?
You sure can!
Opt for a ‘veggie’ bacon in lieu of regular bacon or simply omit entirely. Many main stream brands offer veggie bacon now and you can readily purchase at your local grocery.
These stuffed acorn squash will still taste delicious!
More Tips & Variations
Roast time of your squash may vary, depending on how small/large they are. Just roast until they are fork tender.
Similarly, the quantity of rice you will need may vary depending on the size of your acorn squash. Of course, a smaller squash would require less stuffing than a larger one. Just judge accordingly.
The bacon was cooked on the stove-top until crisp. Alternatively, you can leave the bacon in slices and cook in the oven with the squash (roughly the last 20 minutes of cook time pop the bacon in there). Crumble when cool enough to handle.
Instead of bacon, you could use pancetta.
Try chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds instead of pumpkin seeds.
Raisins work lovely instead of cranberries or opt for small diced apple.
A lovely garnish option is crispy sage leaves (Saveur shows how to make them here), but a sprinkling of chopped parsley or minced chives would also work.
Mix up your seasoning! Instead of pumpkin spice, try a little smoked paprika for more of a smoky vibe.
For presentation purposes, if you want some of your stuffing to show, fold under some of the egg white when you place it on top of the acorn squash.
More Vegetable Recipes You May Enjoy
- Oven Roasted Root Vegetables – This easy sheet pan vegetable side dish is easy to whip up and you can use a variety of your fave root veggies.
- Mashed Turnip (rutabaga) – Brown butter and roasted garlic make this humble root veggie extra special.
Hope you love this easy squash recipe as much as we do!
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,
Dawn
Make this stuffed acorn squash recipe? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment below. Many thanks!
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Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
cranberries and a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg. This scrumptious
fall recipe can be enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup COOKED rice , cooked per package instructions (approximately 1 cup cooked)
- 6 slices bacon -cut into lardons
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 4 eggs
- 8 crispy sage leaves (garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carefully cut each acorn squash in half, scoop out seeds (and discard those or keep for later). Then, carefully cut a little slice off the back of each squash half so it lays flat on the baking sheet (picture in body of post above).
- Drizzle olive oil over each squash half (the interior). Sprinkle salt, pepper, pumpkin spice amongst all acorn squash halves.
- Roast cut side up (interior side up) for 40 to 45 minutes or until fork tender and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook rice per package instructions and lay to one side.
- In a non stick pan on medium low heat, cook bacon about 10 to 12 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon, drain grease and lay bacon to one side.
- Then, combine rice with cranberries, pumpkin seeds and crispy bacon (reserve some for garnish later, if you like)
- Distribute rice mixture equally into squash halves.
- Cook two eggs at a time. Melt 1/2 teaspoon of butter in a non stick pan on medium low heat. Cook eggs until whites are set and yolks are runny (or cook to your desired doneness). Remove from pan. Repeat with remaining 1/2 teaspoon of butter and two eggs. Season with a pinch of pepper, if desired.
- Place an egg on top of each stuffed acorn squash half.
- Garnish, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Roast time of your squash may vary, depending on how small/large they are. Just roast until they are fork tender.
- Similarly, the quantity of rice you will need may vary depending on the size of your acorn squash. Of course, a smaller squash would require less stuffing than a larger one. Just judge accordingly.
- The bacon was cooked on the stovetop until crisp. Alternatively, you can leave the bacon in slices and cook in the oven with the squash (roughly the last 20 minutes of cook time pop the bacon in there). Crumble when cool enough to handle.
- Instead of bacon, you could use pancetta.
- Try chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds instead of pumpkin seeds.
- Raisins work lovely instead of cranberries or opt for small diced apple.
- A lovely garnish option is crispy sage leaves, but a sprinkling of chopped parsley or minced chives would also work.
- Mix up your seasoning! Instead of pumpkin spice, try a little smoked paprika for more of a smoky vibe.
- For presentation purposes, if you want some of your stuffing to show, fold under some of the egg white when you place it on top of the acorn squash
Nutrition (estimate only)
This is the perfect fall recipe! So delicious, and perfectly comfortable! Thanks for all the great tips to make it easy!
Thank you Jenni 🙂 So happy you enjoyed it!
I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy acorn squash and what a beauty this is, Dawn! Definitely happening in our house this fall!
Thank you Marissa! Hope you love it 🙂
Dawn, this is such a stunning fall dish. My mom used to stuff acorn squash often this time of year. I love it! And the presentation with the egg is fantastic. 🙂 ~Valentina
Thank you so much, Valentina!! Appreciate that 🙂
I have to confess that I have never cooked acorn squash but you convinced me, I will try!!
Hope you love it 🙂 Thanks Melanie!
What a great and fun idea to spruce up a plain ol’ squash! Delicious!
What a great dish! The stuffed squash sounds perfect and you’ve taken it over the top by adding an egg! I usually eat eggs for breakfast and use them in baking, but they are great for dinner too!
They sure are 🙂 Thank you Kathy!!
Oh, I’m really intrigued by this dish Dawn. I love squash and the flavours with the rice. Plus, a great egg on top! Sounds like a great lunch!
Thank you Matt! Sure is 🙂
Love love acorn squash and I’m loving this awesome breakfast option! The rice, the bacon….the pumpkin seeds!!! Oh and the FRIED EGG ON TOP!!! Can I just add one of those eggs to every single of my meals?! Thanks! 😉 Happy weekend my friend. And Happy Canadian Thanksgiving <3
You sure can 😉 Thank you Haylie! XO
I seriously love everything about this!!! We eat a ton of squash, and acorn squash is one of my faves because you can STUFF IT. So many goodies in this one my friend, and the flavours are so perfect for fall! Well done! Happy Thanksgiving to you my dear!! XO
Yay! So happy to hear that!! Thank you Katherine! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving too! XOXO
I would be delighted to eat this any time of the day, Dawn! What a delicious combination of flavours. I think this would be perfect for my family – I will definitely be making it for them soon!
Yay! Thank you so much, Alexandra 🙂
LOVE this idea Dawn! I’m all about a savory breakfast, especially one that’s hearty, so I totally see myself enjoying this in the morning. . .not that I’d turn it down for lunch or dinner either :). Have a great weekend and happy early Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much, Kelsie! Happy weekend to you too!
Wowza! Now this is a meal – breakfast, lunch or dinner! I’m with you – it could be National Egg Day in my house everyday!! Egg on top is my favorite way to top! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!! xoxo
Thanks so much, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend too! XOXO
Such a great idea! I could eat this one morning or night. I love acorn squash and this is the perfect way to enjoy it 🙂
Me too! Thank you Jennifer 🙂
This is such a fun idea and so perfect for fall. Love stuffed acorn squash and adding the egg on top is a great idea. We are true egg lovers in our house, so I know the hubby and I would enjoy this one! While he’ll go with the sunny side up egg, I usually go for poached! Happy almost Thanksgiving weekend Dawn! Pinning!
Thank you Leanne! Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you guys too 🙂
Love the delicious combination of ingredients Dawn. And I would love this for any meal of the day too. My mother made roasted acorn squash when we were growing up and I wasn’t really a fan, but in my older age, I’m making up for it. I love it! Pinned and will be trying your recipe for sure! Happy weekend!
Thank you very much, Mary Ann! Happy you enjoy now 😉 Happy weekend to you too!
This sounds like an awesome Autumn meal, Dawn! I absolutely love eggs, and I’m digging how you put on egg on top of this roasted squash. What a fun idea! I eat an egg on toast every day for lunch, but this sounds way more interesting! I think I’ll have to celebrate World Egg Day in style tomorrow. Hope you and the hubby (and the pup) all have a wonderful weekend ahead, my friend!
Totally! Thank you very much, David! Hope you do too!