Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries

If you’ve been craving something warm, comforting, and just a tiny bit fancy (you know—the “I totally made this on purpose” kind of fancy), Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash is about to become your new autumn love story.

This dish checks all the boxes for busy women juggling work, kids, errands… and that never-ending “What’s for dinner?” chorus. It’s hearty, colorful, wholesome, and smells like the kind of dinner your family will wander into the kitchen for before you call them. And yes, our star—Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries—makes a cameo in every delicious bite.

So grab your coziest sweater and let’s get cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

Picture this: sweet roasted squash, savory sausage, bright apples, earthy spinach, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans all mingling together like they were destined to meet.

This recipe is:

• Weeknight-friendly (even though it looks impressive enough for your in-laws)
• Perfectly balanced—sweet, savory, hearty, and fresh all at once
• Simple to customize using ingredients you already have
• Fall in a baking dish… without the pumpkin spice overload

Honestly, this became my go-to after my kids—who are not spinach fans—asked for seconds. When that happens, you don’t argue. You just make it again next week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 medium butternut squash (around 2.25 lbs each)
• 1 lb sausage (sweet Italian is my favorite, but turkey or beef works too)
• 1 onion, 2–3 celery stalks, chopped
• 3–4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 apple (Gala, Honeycrisp, or whatever you have)
• ½ cup pecans (walnuts are also great)
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Olive oil
• Salt + pepper
• Chicken or vegetable stock
• 3 cloves garlic (or 3 tsp garlic paste)

How to Make Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

(Step-by-step, friendly enough to follow even with kids tugging at your sleeves.)

1. Roast the Squash

Slice each butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds (save them if you want to roast them later—they’re such a crunchy little treat).

Drizzle each half with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.

Roast at 400°F for 40–45 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender and lightly caramelized.

2. Make the Sausage Filling

Heat a large skillet over medium. Add your sausage and break it up as it cooks.

Once no longer pink, stir in your onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until everything is fragrant and softened.

Add your fresh spinach along with a splash of chicken stock (just enough to help it wilt).

Cook until the spinach shrinks down beautifully into the mixture.

3. Add the Apples, Pecans & Cranberries

Turn off the heat and fold in the diced apple, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries.

This is where the Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash With Pecans and Cranberries truly comes to life—the colors alone are gorgeous.

4. Hollow Out the Squash

Once the squash is roasted and slightly cooled, scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a border around the edges.

This gives you plenty of room for your filling—plus the leftover squash makes amazing mashed squash or soup.

5. Stuff & Bake

Fill each squash half generously. If you want (and trust me, you do), sprinkle a little Parmesan on top.

Bake again at 400°F for 10 minutes to brown the tops and heat everything through.

Serve warm, take a bow, and soak up the compliments.

Tips for the Perfect Stuffed Squash

• Use fresh spinach. Frozen spinach adds too much moisture and will make your filling soggy.
• Choose wider squash. The rounder the bottom, the more filling you can pack in.
• Don’t skip the apple. It adds brightness that brings the savory flavors together.
• Add herbs if you’d like. Rosemary, thyme, sage—any of them feel right at home here.
• Leftovers are magical. This dish reheats beautifully for lunches all week.

And if your filling looks a little chaotic in the pan? Don’t worry. Stuffed squash is like that friend who looks incredible no matter what sweater she puts on.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

The first time I made this Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash, it was supposed to be a “quiet dinner for one.” You know… candles, cozy socks, maybe a movie afterwards.

Well, the smell filled the house, my teenagers magically appeared out of nowhere, and suddenly my “me night” became a family dinner. They didn’t know what it was, but they immediately claimed ownership. The cranberries and apples won them over before the squash even made it to the table.

And that’s how this became one of my most-requested dishes.

FAQs About Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

A Delicious Way to Wrap Up the Day

This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash isn’t just a recipe—it’s the kind of warm, feel-good dinner that makes a busy weeknight feel like a moment of calm. The sweet apples, savory sausage, crunchy pecans, and tart cranberries all blend into a meal that feels both nourishing and a little indulgent.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or your own cozy night in, this dish has a way of making everyone feel welcome around the table.

So grab your ingredients, take a deep breath, and bring a little magic to your kitchen tonight.

More Cozy Fall Recipes You’ll Love

If this Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash made your kitchen smell like pure autumn bliss, you’re going to adore these other comforting, flavor-packed dishes. They pair beautifully with the warm, cozy vibe of this recipe and give you even more ways to enjoy seasonal ingredients.

• If you’re craving another hearty squash dinner, try this delicious Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey. It’s wholesome, filling, and perfect for busy nights.
• Want a bright, refreshing side to balance the richness of your stuffed squash? This Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple Salad is crisp, sweet, and absolutely gorgeous on the table.
• If the sausage in this recipe is your favorite part, you’ll love my Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash—simple, savory, and always a crowd-pleaser.
• And for a bowl of warm, velvety comfort, this Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Soup wraps you up like a cozy blanket on a chilly evening.

Feel free to explore any of these delicious options—they’re all perfect companions for fall cooking and guaranteed to bring even more magic to your dinner table

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