Seasonal Recipes — Fall Recipes
Fall Quinoa & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Molly Moore / 27 August 2025
Sweet apples, tart cranberries, and cinnamon-spiced quinoa fill roasted acorn squash halves, creating a hearty and nourishing healthy dinner recipe that’s perfect for fall and impressing guests!
I love how the apples and cranberries added natural sweetness, and the cinnamon-spiced quinoa gives it a warm, comforting flavor. Now, I make it whenever I want a seasonal dinner that feels indulgent but wholesome, and it’s always a hit with friends and family. Plus it looks very impressive with minimal effort!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 medium acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step: How to Make Quinoa & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Prepare the squash, brush cut sides with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast cut-side down for 25-30 minutes until tender
- Prepare the quinoa filling: In a skillet, sauté diced apple with a little olive oil until slightly softened. Stir in cooked quinoa, cranberries, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, salt, and pepper
- Stuff the squash halves generously with the quinoa mixture
- Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until everything is heated through
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired
Personal tip, I like making a double batch of the filling and keeping some in the fridge for easy weekday lunches or to stuff additional roasted squash later in the week.
Check out my delicious Wild Rice & Pecan Stuffed Squash recipe
Tips for Perfect Quinoa & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor
- Toast the pecans lightly for extra crunch
- Adjust spices to taste, adding a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg if desired
- Make ahead: the filling can be prepared a day in advance for easy assembly and roasting
Wrapping It Up
This Quinoa & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash is a cozy, flavorful, and healthy fall recipe that works perfectly as a healthy dinner recipe or a centerpiece vegan fall dish. Whether you’re making it for family dinners or fall entertaining, it’s guaranteed to delight and impress.
Pin this recipe so you can enjoy it all fall long.
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