In this recipe, we are transforming the humble acorn squash into a delightfully flavorful and nutritious meal. The turkey chili, bursting with spices, complements the sweet, nutty flavor of the acorn squash perfectly. It's a perfect comfort dish that is both healthy and satisfying.
All the ingredients used in this recipe are fairly common and can be found in most supermarkets. However, one element that might not be in your pantry is the 'Rotel Mild Tomatoes with Green Chilies'. This canned ingredient packs a lot of flavor and adds a kick to the chili. If unavailable, you can substitute it with any canned diced tomatoes and a separate can of green chilies.
Ingredients for Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash
Acorn squash: A nutrient-rich winter vegetable that is sweet and slightly nutty.
Ground turkey: A leaner alternative to ground beef, but equally satisfying.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory depth to the chili.
Garlic cloves: For that essential aromatic flavor.
Rotel mild tomatoes with green chilies: Gives the chili a spicy kick and added depth.
Tomato sauce: Forms the base of the chili sauce.
Water: To help simmer and blend all flavors together.
Cumin: Gives the chili an earthy warmth.
Chili powder: For that classic chili heat.
Paprika: Adds a sweet peppery flavor.
Bay leaf: Infuses the chili with a subtle herbal note.
Cheese: For a creamy, melty topping.
Cilantro: For a fresh and herby finish.
One reader, Brant Moffitt says:
This turkey chili stuffed acorn squash recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are incredible, and the presentation is stunning. It's a wholesome, comforting dish that's perfect for fall. The combination of tender squash, savory turkey chili, and melted cheese is simply divine. I highly recommend trying it!
Cooking Techniques for Making Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash
How to bake acorn squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place the squash halves on the baking sheet, cut sides down, and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until soft.
How to brown ground turkey: In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks into smaller pieces and season with salt and pepper.
How to sauté onions and garlic: After browning the turkey, add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat until softened.
How to make chili: After sautéing the onions and garlic, add the can of Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and bay leaf to the skillet. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
How to stuff acorn squash: Once the squash is baked, flip the squash over and fill each half with ¾ cup of chili.
How to melt cheese: Top the stuffed squash with cheese and bake for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
How to garnish with cilantro: After baking, top the stuffed squash with cilantro before serving.
How To Make Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash
Serve this mild and savory turkey chili recipe that perfectly balances the slightly sweet acorn squash. No after-party leftovers with this edible bowl!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2acorn squash,halved, seeded
- 1lbground turkey,93% lean
- ½tspkosher salt
- ⅓cuponion,chopped
- 2garlic cloves,crushed
- 10ozRotel mild tomatoes with green chilies,canned
- ½cuptomato sauce,canned
- ½cupwater
- ¾tspcumin
- ¼tspchili powder
- ¼tsppaprika
- 1bay leaf
- 6tbspcheese,shredded sharp, omit for Whole 30 and dairy free
- cilantro,fresh, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
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Place squash halves on the baking sheet, cut sides down. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until soft.
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Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks into smaller pieces and season with salt and pepper.
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When meat is browned and cooked through, add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes over medium heat.
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Add the can of Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and bay leaf.
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Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Remove bay leaf, flip the squash over and fill each half with ¾ cup of chili.
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Top with cheese and bake for about 5 minutes, until melted. Top with cilantro.
Nutrition
- Calories: 394.69kcal
- Fat: 17.11g
- Saturated Fat: 6.85g
- Trans Fat: 0.39g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.05g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.08g
- Carbohydrates: 33.46g
- Fiber: 5.34g
- Sugar: 5.43g
- Protein: 31.81g
- Cholesterol: 101.71mg
- Sodium: 615.62mg
- Calcium: 280.99mg
- Potassium: 1431.90mg
- Iron: 4.46mg
- Vitamin A: 194.12µg
- Vitamin C: 200.62mg
Helpful Technique for Stuffing Acorn Squash
When preparing the acorn squash, ensure to scoop out all the seeds and stringy flesh thoroughly. This not only makes room for the turkey chili stuffing but also helps the squash to cook evenly. Additionally, when browning the ground turkey, make sure to break it into small, even pieces. This will allow the turkey to cook more evenly and absorb the flavors of the spices better.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and measure out ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Multitask: While the squash is baking, prepare the turkey chili to save time.
Use a pressure cooker: Consider using a pressure cooker to cook the turkey chili more quickly.
Invest in kitchen tools: Use kitchen tools like a food processor or chopper to speed up the prep work.
Leftovers: Make extra turkey chili and freeze it for future use, saving time on busy days.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you cook to avoid wasting time looking for utensils or ingredients.
Substitute Ingredients For Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
ground turkey - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken can be used as a lean and flavorful alternative to ground turkey in this recipe. It has a similar texture and will work well with the other ingredients.
acorn squash - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash can be used as a substitute for acorn squash. It has a slightly sweeter flavor and a similar texture, making it a great alternative for this recipe.
rotel mild tomatoes with green chilies - Substitute with diced tomatoes and a pinch of cayenne pepper: Diced tomatoes with a pinch of cayenne pepper can be used as a substitute for rotel mild tomatoes with green chilies. This will provide a similar flavor profile without the spiciness.
tomato sauce - Substitute with salsa: Salsa can be used as a substitute for tomato sauce, adding extra flavor and a hint of spiciness to the dish.
cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: Vegan cheese can be used as a substitute for regular cheese, providing a dairy-free option for those with dietary restrictions.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used as a substitute for cilantro if you prefer a milder herb flavor in the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making This Recipe
Baking sheet: A flat, metal sheet used for baking and roasting foods in the oven.
Skillet: A frying pan with a wide, flat bottom and sloping sides, used for sautéing, frying, and searing.
Cheese grater: A kitchen tool used to grate cheese into fine pieces for cooking and garnishing.
Oven: A kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food.
Food processor: A versatile kitchen appliance used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used for combining ingredients, mixing batters, and preparing various recipes.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Let the turkey chili and acorn squash cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, place the filled acorn squash halves in an airtight container. They will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- If you have leftover turkey chili, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the chili and fill the acorn squash halves when ready to serve.
- For freezing, wrap each filled acorn squash half tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Alternatively, you can freeze the turkey chili and acorn squash separately. Scoop the chili into freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Wrap the cooked acorn squash halves tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag.
- Frozen turkey chili and acorn squash will keep well for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat from frozen, thaw the acorn squash halves and turkey chili overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat the chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Place the acorn squash halves cut-side up on a baking sheet and fill them with the heated chili. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the squash is heated through and the cheese is melted.
How To Reheat Leftover Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash
To reheat leftover turkey chili stuffed acorn squash, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed squash halves on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the squash and filling are heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating to allow the cheese to melt and the edges to crisp up slightly.
Alternatively, you can reheat the stuffed squash in the microwave. Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 2-3 minutes, or until the squash and filling are heated through. Be careful when removing the plate from the microwave, as it may be hot.
If you have leftover chili and acorn squash stored separately, you can reheat them individually. Microwave the squash halves for 1-2 minutes, or until tender, and reheat the chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Then, fill the warm squash halves with the heated chili and top with cheese before serving.
For a crispy texture, you can also reheat the stuffed squash under the broiler. Preheat your broiler to high and place the stuffed squash halves on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the squash are lightly browned. Keep a close eye on the squash to prevent burning.
If you have a lot of leftover stuffed squash, you can freeze individual portions for later. Wrap each stuffed squash half tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. To reheat, remove the wrapping and place the frozen squash on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Interesting Fact About Acorn Squash
The acorn squash used in this recipe is a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. It's also a good source of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and protect against certain chronic diseases. Additionally, turkey is a lean protein that is low in fat and high in essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and potassium. This makes the turkey chili stuffed acorn squash a nutritious and delicious meal option.
Is Making Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash Cost-Effective?
This turkey chili stuffed acorn squash recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as acorn squash, ground turkey, and canned tomatoes, are affordable and readily available. The dish offers a balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-20. The overall verdict rating for this recipe would be 8/10, considering its nutritional value, flavor, and affordability.
Is This Chili Stuffed Squash Recipe Healthy?
The turkey chili stuffed acorn squash recipe is a relatively healthy dish with some room for improvement. Here's why:
Positives:
- Acorn squash is a nutrient-dense vegetable, providing fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium
- Ground turkey is a lean protein source, lower in saturated fat compared to beef
- The recipe includes vegetables like onion and tomatoes, adding more nutrients and fiber
- Spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika add flavor without extra calories
Negatives:
- The recipe calls for cheese, which can add significant amounts of saturated fat and calories
- Rotel tomatoes with green chilies may contain added sodium
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for low-fat or reduced-fat cheese to minimize saturated fat and calorie content
- Use a low-sodium variety of Rotel tomatoes or replace them with fresh diced tomatoes and green chilies to reduce sodium intake
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the chili, such as bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini, to boost fiber and nutrient content
- Replace half of the ground turkey with finely chopped mushrooms to reduce the overall fat content while maintaining a meaty texture
- Serve the stuffed acorn squash with a side salad or steamed vegetables to create a more balanced meal
Editor's Opinion on This Chili Stuffed Squash Dish
The turkey chili stuffed acorn squash recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The tender acorn squash provides a sweet and nutty base for the savory and slightly spicy turkey chili. The use of aromatic spices and the addition of cheese and cilantro elevate the dish, adding depth and freshness. The recipe is well-balanced and offers a satisfying and wholesome meal that is perfect for the autumn season.
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Why trust this Turkey Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of wholesome ingredients, ensuring a flavorful and nutritious meal. The ground turkey provides a lean protein source, while the acorn squash offers a rich, nutty flavor and a dose of essential nutrients. The incorporation of cumin, chili powder, and paprika infuses the dish with warm, aromatic spices, elevating the overall taste profile. Additionally, the use of rotel tomatoes with green chilies adds a zesty kick, enhancing the complexity of flavors. With the addition of cheese and cilantro as finishing touches, this recipe promises a satisfying and wholesome dining experience.
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