My new favorite Stuffed Acorn Squash – this Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash – is the perfect, easy-to-prep, budget friendly and gluten-free Fall dinner or lunch. Make it even easier (and faster!) by using freezer taco meat and prepping your roasted acorn squash in advance! This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
Guys.
This Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe might be my new favorite Stuffed Squash recipe.
And if you are sitting here wondering how Tacos and Acorn Squash go together, I want you to know I understand your skepticism.
But, friend, it just freaking works. Like really, really works.
And this bowl of Fall deliciousness is also:
-
- stupid easy
- budget friendly
- family friendly
- and perfect for Meal Prep
How to make Roasted Acorn Squash
The first thing we are going to do is roast our acorn squash. This is a great thing to do on meal prep day because it’s super hands off and doesn’t require any babysitting.
First, cut your acorn squash in half from top to bottom or through the middle. Either works, but top to bottom can be easier.
Tip: cut a little bit off the bottom so your squash lays flat on your cutting board before cutting all the way through.
After cutting your squash in half, scoop out the seeds from the center of the squash and discard or roast those babies.
Next, brush your acorn squash with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea or Himalayan salt.
To keep the mess at bay, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your prepped Acorn Squash on top.
Finally, bake your squash on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes or until easily mashed with a fork. Now you are ready for the filling!
Ingredients for Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash Filling
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the Taco Filling for your Roasted Acorn Squash.
- Lean ground beef – I love Butcher Box Grass Fed Ground Beef, but you could sub ground chicken or ground turkey, too. If you want to make a vegetarian or vegan version, sub quinoa or brown rice!
- Tomato Sauce – you want the canned sauce, not the jarred.
- Salt free taco seasoning – this is another thing to prep a batch of on meal prep day and keep on hand for whenever you need it.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – you can also swap dairy free cheese or leave off the cheese and this will still be delish! If you aren’t a fan of cheddar, use whatever cheese you like here.
- Corn + Black beans (optional – omit for no yellow) – I had some on hand, so I added them to my Taco Meat, but you could definitely leave them out if you want a lower carb, or no-yellow meal.
Meal Prep Tip #1: Whenever you make Taco Meat, double or triple your batch and freeze it! Taco meat is one of the best freezer items to have on hand for those busy weeks!
While your squash is roasting, brown your ground beef, then add in sauce and taco seasoning. Cook until sauce has thickened. Stir in corn and black beans.
After your filling is cooked, it’s time to Stuff the Acorn Squash. Divide your Taco Meat into the 4 squash halves evenly. If your squash is on the smaller size, you might have extra filling. You could save it for tacos or more Acorn Squash!
Go ahead and top with some cheese and put your squash back in the oven. Get that cheese all warm and melty and then your squash is ready to go!
Meal Prep Tip #2: If you are prepping this meal ahead of time, you can fill the squash and finish off the baking with the cheese, then cool and store in an airtight container. Or, you can just fill the squash, but bake the cheese when you are ready to eat. Of course you could also store the filling and the squash separate until you are ready to eat!
Can I freeze Roasted Acorn Squash?
Yes! Cooked Acorn Squash freezes very well! You can freeze it stuffed or freeze the taco filling separately. This makes for a quick, single serve lunch or dinner.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake in the oven at 400 until warm. Or, if you don’t have time to thaw, bake at 350 until hot, then top with cheese increase temp to 400 for the last ten minutes of cook time.
More Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Spinach, and Feta
Roasted Acorn Squash with Sweet Whipped Ricotta
Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash | Ambitious Kitchen
Taco Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 2 large acorn squash
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef - I love Butcher Box grass fed beef can sub 99% turkey for WW
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons salt free taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup corn optional - omit for no yellow
- 1/2 cup black beans optional - omit for no yellow
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (optional, but keeps the mess away).
- Cut each acorn squash in half, top to bottom OR across the middle, and remove the seeds. Brush each squash with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt. Place squash halves in oven for 40 minutes, or until fork tender, but still retaining their shape.
- While the squash is roasting, brown ground beef in a ceramic non stick skillet until cooked through. Next, stir in tomato sauce, corn, black beans, and Salt Free Taco Seasoning and cook until taco mixture has thickened. Add salt, taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Once squash is finished cooking, use a fork to gently mash the inside. Then divide taco mixture evenly among the squash halves. Top each with 2.5 Tbsp of cheddar cheese. Place squash back in the oven for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese.
- Garnish with cilantro if desired!
Chelsea says
Delicious and easy! I didn’t add corn, beans or cheese. I recommend checking the squash at about 30 minutes, mine was already done then. I cut the recipe in half and have the other half for lunch tomorrow. Will make again!
Della says
It was soooo good!
Nancylynn says
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Della! So glad you liked it!
If you have a chance, could you please add a star rating to your comment? It helps google and other readers know that this acorn squash recipe is a winner!
Donna Poliquin says
I made this and it was so good.
Nancylynn says
YAY! Thank you!
Marcella says
Made this for the first time for Taco Tuesday. Husband and children approved!! This will be making the rotation at our house! Cannot thank you enough for all your amazing recipes. You make it so much easier to stay on track!
Nancylynn says
That is the goal- keeping Momma’s sanity in tact while eating healthy! So glad everyone liked it!
Carrie Dunning says
Oooooh, YUM! These are yummy! The combo of the sweet wonderful acorn squash combined with the taco flavors that we all love made this is favorite that we’ll keep coming back to! I upped the corn and black beans to 1 cup each so that 1 serving will be a full yellow. Thanks NancyLynn for continuing your awesomeness!
Jennifer says
What a delicious-looking way to cut back on carbs + add some fall flavor!
Nancylynn says
Yep! It’s so yummy!
Emily says
Can’t wait to make this!! How do you think it would reheat in the microwave for work lunches?
Nancylynn says
It will be AMAZING!! Reheated is just as yummy!