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Home Ā» Food Ā» By Country or Region Ā» Western Europe Ā» Italy Ā» Italian Stuffed Squash

Italian Stuffed Squash

September 19, 2014 by Kimberly Killebrew Ā· 17 Comments

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Italian Baked Squash 1 words

A simple, healthy, delicious and low-calorie meal to enjoy any time of the year. Ā Select seasonal squash accordingly.

This recipe uses patty pan squash, a buttery Summer squash variety. Ā Have you been noticing the great deals on Summer squash lately? Ā Take advantage of them! Ā But you can use any variety of squash you like that has a “lid” (ie, a top that can be cut off and then replaced for baking. Ā Cooking methods will differ and those instructions are provided below.

The filling can be prepared way in advance and then later filled into the squash, topped with cheese and baked. Ā It makes for a neat presentation for dinner guests to each have their own squash, but you can fill a larger squash instead and serve it family-style at the table with your choice of sides.

Let’s get started!

Squash, squash, beautiful squash! Ā If you’re using these patty pan squash, we’re going to boil them first. Ā Bring a large pot of water to a boil and boil the squash whole for 15-20 minutes just until fork tender. Ā Also, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Italian Baked Squash prep 1

While those are boiling, and then cooling so they can be handled, make the filling.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and cook the sausage until no longer pink. Add the onion and and garlic and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes.

Italian Baked Squash prep 2

Nothing beats the flavor of fresh herbs. Ā Use a a variety of Italian herbs. Ā I used rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and sage.

Italian Baked Squash prep 3

Add the chopped herbs, tomatoes, white wine, salt and pepper to the meat mixture.

Italian Baked Squash prep 4

Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 7-8 minutes until most of the liquid is evaporated. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Italian Baked Squash prep 5

Cut the tops of the squash, about 1/4 of the way down, and scoop out the seeds and a little of the flesh to make a cavity for the filling. Ā Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.

Italian Baked Squash prep 6

Divide the mixture up between the squash and fill the cavities.

Italian Baked Squash prep 9

Divide the cheese up and sprinkle over each squash. Ā See that cute baby squash? Ā That’s for our 2 year old.

Italian Baked Squash prep 10Ā Place the tops on the squash.

Italian Baked Squash prep 12

Transfer them to a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until very tender.

Italian Baked Squash prep 13 edited

Italian Baked Squash prep 14

Your beautiful squash are ready to eat!

italian baked squash stuffed recipe sausage tomatoes herbs

 

Be sure to try these other delicious squash recipes!

Coconut Chicken Pumpkin Curry

Curried Pumpkin Coconut Meatballs

Curried Apple & Butternut Squash Soup

Sausage, Fennel & Butternut Squash Lasagna

 

Italian Stuffed Squash

Kimberly Killebrew
Delicious, healthy and visually beautiful, this Italian Stuffed Squash will impress your dinner guests!
Print Recipe
4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 394 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 medium-small patty pan squash (see NOTE for other squash options)
  • 3/4 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion ,diced
  • 1 clove garlic ,minced
  • 1 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, sage)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil and boil the squash for 15-20 minutes just until barely fork tender. When cool enough to handle, cut the tops off and scoop out the seeds and a little of the flesh to make a cavity for the filling.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and cook the sausage until no longer pink. Add the onion and and garlic and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, herbs, white wine, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 7-8 minutes until most of the liquid is evaporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • While the mixture is simmering, prepare the squash. Fill the cavity of each squash with the sausage mixture and top with 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Place the "lids" on top of each squash.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the squash feels tender when squeezed or a fork can be easily inserted through the flesh. (See NOTE if using a different squash variety)

Notes

Patty pan squash is a variety of Summer squash. In this recipe it's first boiled and then stuffed and baked. You can also use firmer, Winter squash with a "lid" for this recipe (like acorn squash) but make the following adjustments: Do not boil first. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake about an hour or until a fork can be easily inserted into the flesh.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1336mg | Potassium: 779mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 3mg
Keyword Stuffed Squash
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

 

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17 Comments →

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17 Responses

  1. Kim Briand says

    August 24, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    I have paty pan squash but what does small medium or large mean in this context. A measurement or weight would be useful.

    Reply
  2. Girla says

    February 1, 2021 at 1:26 am

    Our garden is overflowing with beautiful summers squash andi am running out of ideas. This looks like a great idea and definitely going to make this recipe. Love the small squash for the 2 year old.
    Thanks for your lovely recipes

    Reply
  3. Monalisa Ake says

    September 24, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    I made a similar version of this dish using ground turkey, leftover cornbread, sautƩed green chilies, onions, mushrooms and after de seeding the inside I chopped up the squash I scooped out to create a vessel to hold my mixture. I seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper. Mixed everything together and placed it back in the squash, topped with cheese and baked for 15 minutes. Phenomenal taste and very hardy!

    Reply
  4. Taa Brsen says

    August 3, 2020 at 9:29 am

    Why not include a use/recipe for the innards that are scooped out? We don’t like to waste food.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 3, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      Who said anything about waste? You’re more than welcome to eat the seeds you scoop out.

      Reply
    • Nikki Krakauer says

      October 2, 2020 at 1:01 am

      I don’t throw it away. With summer squash (patty pan, zucchini, & crookneck) I add into the meat/tomato mixture. With winter squash, I scoop seeds out, dry them in my toaster oven, & put out for birds. I want to try a Delicata squash, and a banana squash this fall, too. I’m not sure I would try with acorn squash, though.

      Reply
  5. Kathleen Wickham says

    July 31, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    The meal was delicious. The timing was so wrong. Let’s start with the top: 10 minute prep. Really? I guess that means 10 minutes to stuff the squash. Really? It took us one hour from the time I turned on the heat to get the water boiling to par-boil the squash until I was able to put the dish in the oven. And, that is with all ingredients on the counter and my husband helping with the chopping and stirring. The recipe states 35 minutes for cooking. According to the math in the directions 13 minutes (max) are devoted to cooking with 15-20 minutes set aside for par-boiling the squash. That sum of 33 is close to the 35 but water does not boil in two minutes. As such it took 1:30 minutes from start to finish. And let’s not forgot the time needed to cool the squash. We doused it in cold water, a suggestion not mentioned in the recipe, which left us wondering if that was even a viable option. Prep time: 60 minutes.

    Reply
  6. Inge says

    August 29, 2019 at 5:38 am

    Another great recipe from you. I loved the suggestion to parboil the patty pan first. The fresh herbs plus cheese are perfect additions. Will be making this again and again.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 29, 2019 at 8:37 am

      Thanks so much, Inge, I’m happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. Susanne Wirth says

    August 26, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    Is this squash in skin edible after all of this preparation, or is it just the bowl to hold the meat? These odd looking things I have from my CSA do not look like they would be edible, no matter how they are cooked, without peeling them, first.

    I am worried about all of the tedious work of making this recipe and then finding no one, including me, will eat the vegetable part. I wonder if just putting the meat mixture on a nice Italian bread as a sandwich would be better, without the yellow thing.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 26, 2018 at 2:57 pm

      Hi Susanne, absolutely! The squash softens up and you scoop the flesh out along with the spoonfuls of meat.

      Reply
    • Nikki Krakauer says

      October 2, 2020 at 1:07 am

      Patty pan squash are summer squash. The peel is definitely edible after cooking, just as a zucchini squash skin is. Just a different shape! They’re one of my favorite summer squash.

      Reply
  8. Amy says

    August 12, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    Just made this… it is fabulous! The herbs I used were tarragon, thyme, basil and parsley…

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 12, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      Fantastic, Amy, so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

      Reply
  9. bakeaffairs says

    October 22, 2014 at 10:25 am

    This looks beautiful and soooo delicious! I made some stuffed courgettes a few days before and it was very tasty too.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 22, 2014 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks, bakeaffairs! Mmmmm, I love stuffed courgettes, too!

      Reply
  10. Pat says

    September 30, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    This looks and sounds wonderful! I’m a big fan of squash of every kind.

    Reply

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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!Ā  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.Ā  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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