For nights when all you want is a cozy dinner try this Sausage and Apple Stuffed Honey Nut Squash. This recipe is very easy and packed with protein and vegetables. If you’re looking for a way to eat healthy while enjoying wonderfully festive, cozy vibes that make this time of year special, this is the recipe for you.

And if you love honey nut squash recipes be sure to try this hearty and vibrant Sausage Butternut Squash Skillet that is done in under 30-minutes!

Honey nut squashes stuffed with sausage, apple and cranberry mix.

Honey nut squash seems to be one of the lesser recognized varieties of winter squash but it’s one of my favorites!

Stuffing it with a herbaceous sausage apple and cranberries mix is my go-to. This combo makes for a healthy and hearty side dish you can serve for the holidays, plus it’s naturally gluten free. 

There are plenty of more stuffing options to customize your roasted honey nut squash. Keep reading to explore all of the options!

If you love squash as much as I do, then you’ll have to check out my Butternut Squash Recipe Round up or these 15 Winter Squash Recipes.

Ingredients for sausage and apple stuffed honey nut squash.

what is honey nut squash

Honeynut squash is a winter squash cultivar bred from butternut and buttercup squash. It has a similar shape and flavor to butternut squash but averages about half the size. It has a dark orange skin and orange fleshy pulp.

This hybrid variety is mini-sensation that has a sweeter profile and is favored for its small, individual serving size and rich flavor! It is great for this stuffed honeynut squash.

Honey nut squashes are great for roasting because it allows the sugars in the flesh to caramelize, and this maximizes the flavor of the squash. However, it can also be used in any recipe as a substitute for butternut or other winter squash varieties.

Serve this alongside this Apple Cranberry Frisée Salad for a delicious meal!

Seasoned honey nut squashes in sheet pan ready to bake.

Ingredients

honey nut squash – this mini sized squash is perfect for individual portions

sausage – any type will work, all you need is two

apple – sweet and crunchy, apples add a delicious balance to this recipe

celery – one stalk to balance out the flavors

mushrooms – use cremini (baby Bella) or shiitake sliced

dried cranberries – for a pop of color and seasonality

Honey nut squashes cut in half on a plate.

How to make sausage stuffed honey nut squash

  1. Wash and dry the squash. Slice in half lengthwise. Season with oil, salt and pepper and roast at 400F degrees for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in cast iron. Add sausage without casing and use a wooden spatula to break up the meat. Then add garlic and mushrooms sauté for 5 minutes or until browned.
  3. Next add the celery and apple, sauté stirring often for 3-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano and sweet paprika. Lastly add dried cranberries and stir mixture. Cover and set aside
  4. When honey nut squash is done, use a fork to loosen up the squash but don’t remove any. Top with sausage and apple stuffing, garnish with fresh herbs and/or nuts and serve.
Sausage and apple stuffing in cast iron skillet.

Serving suggestions

When I want to make this sausage and apple stuffed honey nut squash, I pair it with seasonal sides such as apple sausage stuffing and maple roasted brussel sprouts and apple salad. You can also find me layering a scoop on top of rice or stuffing it into fall-flavored tacos, burritos, or enchiladas!

There is something extraordinary about this honeynut squash, sausage and apple combination that is to die for. This seasonal side dish will be on repeat at my house specially around the holidays because of it’s convenient size and amazing flavors!

Honey nut squashes stuffed with sausage, apple and cranberry mix.

Looking for more tasty ideas for the holidays?

Turkey Fennel Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Cauliflower Fennel Soup

Herb Roasted Chicken

Honey nut squashes stuffed with sausage, apple and cranberry mix.
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Sausage and Apple Stuffed Honey nut Squash
4.80 from 5 votes

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Honeynut Squash

by Silvia Dunnirvine
Sweet honeynut squash stuffed with sausage, apple, dried cranberries, crunchy celery and aromatic herbs!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 whole honeynut squash halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pinch sea salt and pepper
  • 2 sausages casing removed
  • 5 cremini mushrooms chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 whole apple cubed
  • 1 celery stalk chopped small
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions 

  • Wash the skin of honey nut squash and pat dry with kitchen towel. Cut in half the lenghtwise. Remove the seeds and clean the cavity well. Brush the squash with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 400F degrees for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in cast iron. Add sausage without casing and use a wooden spatula to break up the meat. Then add garlic and mushrooms sauté for 5 minutes or until browned.
  • Next add the celery and apple, sauté stirring often for 3-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano and sweet paprika. Lastly add dried cranberries and stir mixture. Cover and set aside.
  • When honey nut squash is done, use a fork to loosen up the squash but don't remove any. Top with sausage and apple stuffing, garnish with fresh herbs and/or nuts and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Keyword: Honeynut Squash, Sausage Stuffed Squash, Stuffed Squash, Thanksgiving Sides
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Honey nut squashes stuffed with sausage, apple and cranberry mix.

Hi! I’m Silvia.

My goal is to make cooking simple and enjoyable.

Garden in the Kitchen is full of easy and balanced recipes for busy families. Classics get a healthier twist with additions of veggies or alternative ingredients.

I hope my recipes will inspire you to cook more home meals and above all have fun in the kitchen!

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17 Comments

    1. I made it added local honey to butternut it was delicious
      Forgot the cranberries but it was a hit with wife and I thanks for sharing

  1. I’ve never had honeynut squash before. But, I’m betting this recipe would be perfect with butternut squash or acorn squash. Reminds me of growing up on the farm LOVING the sausage and apples in this recipe!

    1. You can definitely use butternut squash or acorn squash instead. The sausage and apple combination is so soooo good! Thanks Jess!

  2. This was great! I would definitely make this again. I think it would make a great side for roasted turkey or chicken!

  3. Oh boy this is delicious! Any thoughts on how this can be prepared in advance? I would love to take this to Thanksgiving this year. We aren’t traveling far but going to someone’s home is always tricky with the ovens in use. Any thoughts would be appreciated

    1. Thanks so much! I ideally you would need to at least pop it in the oven for 10-15 to re-heat. If you can do that I would bring it separate. The sausage apple stuffing in a glass container and honeynut squash just about fully cooked. When you get to the house pop it in the oven for 10-15 minutes and throw sausage stuffing in microwave, and then build it there. Otherwise just triple cover with foil, if you can do a brief heating just prior to eat great otherwise serve as is. Hope this helps!