Stuffed Acorn Squash with Turkey & Rice

Low-Carb Stuffed Acorn Squash with Turkey & Rice

Oh my goodness, do you guys want to taste fall in a bowl? This is the dish for you! Stuffed acorn squash is so so yummy, and with the sage and turkey, it tastes like a holiday. If you want something super comforting on a cool day, this is it, folks! Squash recipes are the perfect thing for cool days.

To make this low-carb stuffed acorn squash recipe, we use turkey and It's Skinny Rice. That's right, you can have rice without guilt! This is a very low-carb dish, even though it's so hearty and filling. Get ready to add this one to your cold-weather repertoire!

The Flavors of the Fall Season

Something about squash and sage captures the essence of autumn. Squash is native to North America, as is turkey, which is a big reason why we often enjoy these foods at Thanksgiving dinner and other fall holidays. This ground turkey stuffed acorn squash nails the landing to become a perfect fall favorite for any low-carb diet.

Acorn squash is in peak season from late September through late November. However, it also stores very well (so feel free to harvest it and enjoy it well into the winter months). Butternut squash is a garden and farmer's market favorite, like pumpkins, spaghetti squash, and other gourds.

The sweet orange flesh of a butternut squash is one of the most flavorful varieties out there. But despite the natural sweetness, it's not high in carbohydrates—making it ideal for those watching their carb intake.

You could use leftover turkey in this dish if you hope to repurpose some Thanksgiving leftovers. For our recipe today, we used ground turkey, which you'll find in the poultry section of the grocery store. Turkey is lighter in fat than ground beef, so it's essential to use a little olive oil when you sauté it so it doesn’t get dry.

Sage might be just about the best flavor with turkey. It’s very herbal, deep, and fresh. If possible, you should try to use fresh chopped sage here. It’s worth going out of your way to find it because it's much better than the dried version.

Grape tomatoes are another fall-friendly food that offers a fun, bright tang and another touch of sweetness to this dish, as do the onions. Something about the sweet and savory flavors here really works well together. It's part of why we love a little touch of cranberry sauce, brown sugar, or maple with our Thanksgiving foods.

Stuffed squash makes a great side dish or a light main course for a holiday dinner. It's a complete meal on its own, but it would be perfectly at home with a tossed green salad. If you want to add a little more oomph to this stuffed squash dish, you could top it with some freshly grated parmesan cheese or even mozzarella.

We kept this dish light this round with some bright lemon zest, which helps complement the cherry tomatoes and the turkey. Top this dish with a little more chopped sage to bring it all together.

It's Skinny Rice: Low-Carb Stuffing

Traditional stuffing is heavy on the carbs. Many types of stuffing are made from bread crumbs or chunks, which are in no way low-carb. Add in starchy vegetables, butter, and other ingredients, and it’s clear why folks pass on the stuffing if they're watching their weight.

Even lighter rice stuffing can be high in carbs. Traditional and long-grain wild rice isn't low in carbohydrates. They contain high levels of starch. Plus, getting enough rice to fill half an acorn squash will likely put you over the "half-cup" serving size.

With It’s Skinny, there’s no reason to worry! It’s Skinny Rice has ZERO net carbs and only 9 calories in the entire package. If you’re looking for a gluten-free turkey stuffing, this is your answer! You can use this rice stuffing recipe for the squash as we did here, or try it in bell peppers or even as a side dish.

How does gluten-free It’s Skinny make such delicious stuffing? There’s a (not-so) secret ingredient in It’s Skinny Rice called konjac root. Konjac is a root vegetable that resembles a potato or a radish. It's got a starchy texture, but that starch is in the form of glucomannan fiber. It's filling and satisfying but very low in carbs.

It's Skinny isn't limited to just rice either! Try It's Skinny in a variety of styles, including:

• Spaghetti
• Fettuccine
• Angel Hair
• Rice

It’s Skinny comes in organic and traditional varieties too. Order a variety pack to explore all the different styles and find your favorite.

One of the best things about It’s Skinny rice and pasta is that it's so easy to prepare. To use It's Skinny in any recipe, tear open the pack, drain, rinse, and pat it dry. Prepare the rest of the ingredients for your dish. At the end of cooking, toss in It’s Skinny. After 2-3 minutes, the pasta will heat through and be ready to enjoy.

Unlike other shirataki pasta brands, It’s Skinny products don't have any funky aftertaste. The texture is spot-on, and they won't overpower the flavors of the other ingredients. Like their traditional pasta and rice counterparts, It’s Skinny products are the perfect platform to deliver your favorite pasta sauce and preferred protein.

If you’re considering It’s Skinny, explore our recipes for many great ways to makeover all your favorite meals. Change any dish to low-carb and gluten-free with It’s Skinny!

Making Stuffed Squash Your Way

Some cooks follow a recipe to the letter; others like experimenting and playing around with the different ingredients to make something unique. We support both styles of cooking! Follow this recipe for low-carb stuffed acorn squash as is, or explore some of the options below to customize your meal.

Could I use a different type of squash?

While we love the perfectly portioned halves of acorn squashes here, you can change it up with any type of squash you prefer. This low-carb rice stuffing goes well with all sorts of stuffed vegetables, including all squash varieties. Fresh herbs like sage are ideal with squash.

Try spaghetti squash, butternut, delicata, kabocha squash, or turban squash. You could easily stuff a pumpkin instead of a squash if you prefer. This turkey stuffing makes a great filling for zucchini boats and for stuffed peppers. Of course, you can always eat the stuffing all by itself, too!

Can I add turkey sausage instead?

If you’d like a little more flavor and spice in your dish, turkey sausage is a great way to go! Many times, it’s flavored with sage and other fall-ish flavors that are right at home in this stuffed squash meal. You could also use ground chicken if you can't find ground turkey.

Don't limit yourself to poultry, either. This stuffed squash goes great with pork or beef sausage as well. Italian sausage is an excellent choice if you like some spice. Sage and pork are complementary flavors, and this low-carb rice stuffing would be delish with a pork chop or two. You could also go the other direction and leave out the turkey altogether if you'd like a vegetarian version. Try adding sauteed mushrooms for a similar savoriness and texture.

Can I make this dish ahead?

If you're preparing a holiday meal, make this stuffed squash ahead. This dish is great for all sorts of occasions. One quick tip is to roast your squash ahead to save time and prepare the filling separately. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a day ahead.

When you’re ready to reheat the next day, you’ll simply fill the squash with the stuffing. Cover them with foil and put them in the oven for a short time to heat through. If you’re extra short on time, you could reheat the squash and stuffing separately and then stuff it right before serving. No matter what, it’s a great dish that will be the hit of any dinner party.

How to Make Low-Carb Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ready to make this yummy dish for a holiday soiree (or for yourself on a chilly afternoon)? It couldn’t be easier! Despite stuffed squash sounding labor-intensive, this dish comes together ultra-fast. Tender, silky acorn squash is filled with the healthy mixture of low-carb It’s Skinny Rice, lean ground turkey seasoned with onions, garlic, and sage. Make this one ahead and enjoy it all week!