• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Ovenspiration
  • Recipes
  • Tips and Tricks
  • About Sula
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tips and Tricks
  • About Sula
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tips and Tricks
    • About Sula
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Main Dishes

    Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Published: Nov 23, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2023 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    As much as I enjoy acorn squash as a side dish, I like it even more as a complete meal. This recipe makes an easy sweet and savory filling to round out the flavor and make a healthy vegetarian main or side of stuffed squash. Perfect for Thanksgiving but also great all winter long!

    Ingredients needed

    • Brown rice, cooked
    • Vegetable stock
    • Craisins
    • Seasoned breadcrumbs
    • Pecans
    • Celery
    • Cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or mix)
    • Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, thyme
    • Acorn squash
    stuffed acorn squash on a white rectangular platter with a green salad

    How to stuff acorn squash with vegetarian filling

    Mixing the stuffing is very easy, especially if you have some leftover brown rice. It’s perfect to use in this! Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and set it aside while you prep the squash.

    Cut the squash in half and remove the seeds and membrane from both halves. Pro tip: I use a grapefruit spoon for this step. Those little serrated edges really make it easy to scrape all the loose bits out of the squash.

    It is good at this point to verify that the squash halves will sit flat when the cut side is up. If needed, you can cut a very thin strip from the bottom to make a flat surface.

    Then, fill the squash halves with the stuffing. A spoon or ice cream scoop works well, I usually end up using both. 😀

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!

    Cooking the vegetarian stuffed acorn squash

    In my last post, I made acorn squash slices in the crockpot. I do the same with stuffed squash. I really like how it is a plug and go method. Just place the stuffed squash halves in the crockpot, skin side down. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.

    uncooked halves of stuffed squash in a slow cooker

    While your oven is busy making the rest of your meal, your slow cooker will quietly cook the squash into a tender and delicious vegetarian delight.

    Recipe FAQs

    How can I make this recipe vegan?

    The obvious answer is to use vegan cheese. Nutritional yeast is another possibility. You could also eliminate the cheese entirely; I don’t think it will take away too much flavor.

    Can this be made gluten free?

    Try using gluten free breadcrumbs. I think you do want some kind of crumb in the mix; it helps everything stick together a little when you stuff it in the squash.

    Can this be made ahead of time?

    This stuffing can easily be mixed up the day before and refrigerated. Then when you are ready to make it all you need to do is cut and hollow out the squash, fill with the stuffing and cook.

    How can I make this stuffed squash in the oven?

    To make in the oven, wrap each stuffed squash individually in foil. Bake at 400F for about 60 minutes, until the squash is tender.

    pin for vegetarian stuffed acorn squash

    Enjoy this stuffed acorn squash as a vegetarian main or side dish!

    📖 Recipe

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!

    stuffed acorn squash on a white rectangular platter with a green salad
    5 from 69 votes
    Print Pin it! Save Saved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Stuff your squash with an easy sweet and savory filling and cook with a slow cooker
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time3 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 493kcal
    Author: Sula

    Ingredients

    • ¾ - 1 cup cooked rice I use brown rice
    • ¼ cup vegetable stock chicken stock for non-vegetarian option
    • ¼ cup dried cranberries sweetened (Craisins)
    • ¼ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup pecans chopped
    • 1 celery rib minced (about ¼ cup)
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ cup shredded cheese Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or a mix
    • 1½ pound acorn squash halved and hollowed out

    Instructions

    • For the stuffing, mix all ingredients except the squash in a bowl.
    • Cut the squash in half and remove the seeds and membranes.
    • Fill each squash half with the stuffing.
    • Place in a crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, until squash is very tender. Sprinkle with additional cheese when serving if desired.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 1308mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1529IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    More recipe ideas for your seasonal table

    • Brussels sprouts and carrots
    • Turkey shaped meat and cheese platter
    • French onion potato bake
    • Cranberry sauce from Craisins
    • Turkey Cheese Ball
    « Acorn Squash – Crock Pot Method
    Cranberry Bar Recipe »

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily Flint

      December 14, 2020 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      These stuffed squash were sooooo good and the craisins were the perfect touch! I am totally making these all the time!

      Reply
      • Sula

        December 14, 2020 at 1:38 pm

        I'm a big fan of Craisins! Gotta have a little sweet with the savory!

        Reply
    2. Raquel

      December 14, 2020 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and will make again!

      Reply
      • Sula

        December 14, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed then Raquel!

        Reply
    3. Blake Moon

      December 01, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! A new way to enjoy acorn squash. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sula

        December 02, 2020 at 7:07 am

        It's a great veggie that we should all enjoy more often!

        Reply
    4. Big Trouble

      November 23, 2020 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      Ooo, this is simple and filling for sure! So glad it's vegetarian, too. Can't wait to try this soon. Thanks, Sula!

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 23, 2020 at 8:24 am

        I think you'll like it, its very tasty!

        Reply
    5 from 69 votes (65 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    I'm so glad you're here!

    I once told someone that my favorite reading materials were cookbooks and menus. He didn't understand. But since you are here, I'll bet you get it.... at least a little, right?

    More about me

    Popular

    • Beef and zucchini meatballs served in sauce on pasta.
      Beef and Zucchini Meatballs
    • Grilled Margarita Chicken.
      Margarita Grilled Chicken
    • Lemonade Slush made with Limoncello and Vodka.
      Frozen Lemonade Slush
    • Arugula and baby spinach salad with strawberries.
      Arugula and Spinach Salad

    Seasonal

    • Pecan crusted chicken salad.
      Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
    • Electric lemonade ready to drink.
      Electric Lemonade
    • A serving of cheesy spinach casserole.
      Cheesy Spinach Casserole
    • Close up of watermelon feta salad with honey lime dressing.
      Watermelon Feta Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

    Footer

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    Sign me up for free!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2025 Ovenspiration by Sula and Spice

    27 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family loved this! Adding it to our dinner rotation.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, it turned out great!

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.