Photo: Baked Acorn Squash Filled with Italian Sausage and Rigatoni Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium acorn squash, halved and cleaned
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup sliced red onion
- 4 cups basic tomato sauce, recipe follows
- 1/2 pound rigatoni pasta, cooked until tender, tossed in olive oil and cooled
- 1/2 pound mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Season the squash with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, flesh side up and add 1/2 cup water to the pan. Cover with alluminum foil and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
In a large saute pan, over medium heat, brown the sausage and onions, about 6 to 8 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sausage and onions with the tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
Spoon the pasta mixture into the cavity of each squash. Place the filled squashes on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until the squash is heated through and the cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
Place the filled squash in the center of each plate. Garnish with parsley and serve.
TOMATO SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 1/2 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes with juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- Black pepper
- Pinch sugar
Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 38 reviews
By skategirl128
on February 06, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
So delicious! My five year old who is picky ate two helpings! I left out the mozzarella because my husband is dieting but it was still so good!
By LuLu Bear
St. Louis
on November 14, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This was fantastic. After the first bite, my husband proclaimed this a "company dish". I even left out both the pasta and the cheese because of the diet we are on, and it was still ridiculously good. Great recipe!
By gregoryblw83_12...
Charlotte, 73
on March 11, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Outstanding. Followed the recipe exactly except I used shredded mozzarella as that's what I had. I used sweet Italian sausage
Read all 38 reviews