Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash: A Delicious and Healthy Fall Meal

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Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash: A Delicious and Healthy Fall Meal

Fall is the perfect time for cozy, comforting meals, and this ground beef stuffed butternut squash recipe is the epitome of autumnal deliciousness. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and relatively healthy dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. The sweetness of the roasted butternut squash perfectly complements the savory ground beef filling, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe is adaptable to your preferences, allowing you to customize the spices, vegetables, and even the type of ground meat you use. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a stunning dish to impress guests, this stuffed butternut squash is sure to be a hit.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Flavorful and satisfying:** The combination of sweet roasted butternut squash and savory ground beef is simply irresistible.
* **Relatively healthy:** Butternut squash is packed with vitamins and fiber, and you can choose lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter.
* **Easy to make:** Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt the recipe to your taste by changing the spices, vegetables, and type of ground meat.
* **Perfect for fall:** Butternut squash is in season during the fall, making this a perfect autumnal meal.
* **Impressive presentation:** Stuffed butternut squash makes a beautiful and elegant dish for any occasion.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Butternut Squash:** 2 medium butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
* **Ground Beef:** 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or sausage)
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves garlic, minced
* **Bell Pepper:** 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
* **Celery:** 2 stalks celery, chopped
* **Canned Diced Tomatoes:** 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* **Tomato Paste:** 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* **Beef Broth:** 1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* **Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* **Smoked Paprika:** 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Optional Toppings:** Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan), chopped fresh parsley, sour cream

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Baking sheet
* Large skillet or Dutch oven
* Spoon or ice cream scoop
* Knife
* Cutting board

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Part 1: Preparing the Butternut Squash

1. **Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. **Prepare the butternut squash:** Cut each butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. Make sure to remove all the seeds; leaving some behind will result in burnt seeds after baking.
3. **Season the squash:** Drizzle the cut sides of the butternut squash with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. A generous amount of seasoning at this stage will make the squash delicious.
4. **Roast the squash:** Place the butternut squash halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 45-60 minutes, or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork. The exact roasting time will depend on the size of your squash. You want them to be very tender so they are easy to scoop out later.
5. **Cool the squash slightly:** Once the squash is roasted, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. This makes it easier to handle without burning yourself.

### Part 2: Making the Ground Beef Filling

1. **Brown the ground beef:** While the squash is roasting, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Draining the grease is important to prevent the final dish from being too greasy.
2. **Sauté the vegetables:** Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Cooking the vegetables until they are soft will give them a better flavor and texture.
3. **Add the garlic and spices:** Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
4. **Add the remaining ingredients:** Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer.
5. **Simmer the filling:** Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Simmering the filling allows the flavors to meld together and creates a richer sauce.
6. **Season to taste:** Season the ground beef filling with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that you already seasoned the squash, so taste the filling before adding too much salt.

### Part 3: Stuffing and Baking (Optional)

1. **Scoop out the squash pulp:** Carefully scoop out the flesh of the roasted butternut squash, leaving about a 1/2-inch border of squash around the edges. Be careful not to pierce the skin of the squash.
2. **Mix the squash pulp with the filling (Optional):** If desired, add the scooped-out squash pulp to the ground beef filling and stir to combine. This adds even more butternut squash flavor to the dish. If you prefer a cleaner presentation, you can leave the squash pulp out of the filling.
3. **Stuff the squash:** Spoon the ground beef filling into the hollowed-out butternut squash halves, mounding it generously.
4. **Add toppings (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle the stuffed butternut squash with shredded cheese. Cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan are all good choices.
5. **Bake (Optional):** If you added cheese, place the stuffed butternut squash back on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This step is optional, but it adds a nice cheesy element to the dish.

## Serving Suggestions

* Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
* Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
* Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables.
* Enjoy as a complete meal on its own.

## Tips and Variations

* **Use different ground meat:** You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for the ground beef.
* **Add different vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
* **Spice it up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a little heat.
* **Use different herbs:** Experiment with different herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or sage.
* **Make it vegetarian:** Substitute the ground beef with lentils or black beans for a vegetarian option. You can also add chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.
* **Add grains:** Stir in cooked rice, quinoa, or barley to the filling to make it even heartier.
* **Make it ahead:** You can prepare the ground beef filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also roast the butternut squash ahead of time. Assemble the dish just before baking.
* **Freeze it:** Leftover stuffed butternut squash can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
* **Roasting the squash whole:** You can roast the squash whole, then cut it open and stuff it. This method takes longer but can be easier than cutting the squash in half when raw. Pierce the squash several times with a fork before roasting to prevent it from exploding.
* **Using pre-cut squash:** If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cut butternut squash from the grocery store. This will save you the step of cutting and seeding the squash.
* **Sweet and Spicy Variation:** Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper to the ground beef mixture for a sweet and spicy twist. You can also drizzle the finished squash with a little maple syrup.
* **Mediterranean Variation:** Use ground lamb instead of beef and add chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh oregano to the filling.
* **Mexican Variation:** Use ground beef or turkey and add corn, black beans, chili powder, cumin, and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies to the filling. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.
* **Italian Variation:** Use ground Italian sausage and add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil to the filling. You can also add a splash of red wine to the sauce.
* **Stuffing with Sausage and Apples:** Brown Italian sausage and mix it with diced apples, breadcrumbs, and sage for a sweeter, more savory stuffing.
* **Adding Breadcrumbs for Texture:** Mix toasted breadcrumbs into the ground beef mixture for added texture and to help absorb excess moisture.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fiber: 5-10g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

This ground beef stuffed butternut squash recipe is a delicious, healthy, and customizable meal that’s perfect for fall. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!

## Conclusion

This Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash is a delightful and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. Its ease of preparation coupled with its rich flavors makes it a favorite for both weeknight dinners and elegant gatherings. Feel free to experiment with different variations to suit your tastes and dietary needs. From adding a spicy kick to incorporating Mediterranean ingredients, the possibilities are endless. The comforting warmth of the roasted squash combined with the savory ground beef creates a harmonious balance that is sure to please. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy this spectacular fall favorite!

Enjoy!

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