Whether you’re looking for a fancy dinner to impress or just in need of a cozy and nourishing weeknight dinner, this Turkey Stuffed Delicata Squash will deliver…and in just 30 short minutes, too!
I’ve heard that you should have at least one foolproof, fancy recipe that you can always default to making for those times when you’re trying to impress someone. Well, I have decided that this turkey stuffed delicata squash will be mine….now I just need someone to impress!!!!
Despite sounding fancy, it’s actually a cinch to make, but is still packed with a variety of flavors and textures that all blend together beautifully and have the power to impress just about anyone. I also love that it easily makes the perfect meal for two with the squash halves…or enough for two days of meals if you’re just cooking for one like me š
Hahaha and yes, this is another delicata squash recipe. But trust me on this one, this is one of the best recipes I have ever shared! I’ve made it three separate times and have fallen more in love with it with each bite, and I truly think you will too. Even if you aren’t in need of a fancy shmancy recipe, this still makes for a perfect cozy, nourishing weeknight dinner. Looks like I’ve covered all your bases, huh?
If you can’t find delicata, don’t count this recipe out! You can just as easily use another type of squash such as spaghetti squash, acorn, or kabocha. Likewise, you can also substitute in grass-fed ground beef in place of ground turkey. If you want to keep it vegetarian, try crumbling up tempeh or using lentils in the sauce.
- 1 delicata squash
- 1 T avocado oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 T minced garlic
- 1/2 lb organic ground turkey
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 1 T Italian seasoning
- 2 cups no sugar added marinara sauce
- Preheat oven to 400*F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut delicata squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, then spray each cut side with avocado oil. Lay cut side down on the baking sheet, then transfer to oven to roast for 25 minutes, or until tender.
- While squash cooks, make turkey sauce. Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add in diced onion, chopped mushrooms, and minced garlic. Saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes, then add in ground turkey and seasonings. Cook until turkey is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Once cooked, reduce heat to low, add in marinara sauce and stir until fully incorporated and heated through. Adjust/add additional seasoning as desired.
- Remove cooked squash from the oven, flip halves so cut side is up, and transfer to two plates. Spoon meat sauce equally into insides of each cooked squash half - you'll probably have a little meat sauce left over, that's okay!
- Serve immediately! I love serving with some roasted veggies or a simple side salad.
- You can also use grass-fed ground beef!
- For no sugar added sauce, I like using Whole Foods brand or Spinelli's.
And, if you are like me and buy ground turkey by the pound, you might be wondering what to do with the remainder of that pound…try out this Simple Turkey Burger recipe!