Quinoa-Stuffed Squash

Name: Quinoa-Stuffed Squash
Ingredients: 4 (1-pound) golden nugget squashes; Cooking spray; 2 (4-ounce) links hot turkey Italian sausage, casings removed; 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot; 1/2 cup finely chopped onion; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup water; 2 cups cooked quinoa; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded 2% reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, divided

13 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

4 (1-pound) golden nugget squashes
Cooking spray
2 (4-ounce) links hot turkey Italian sausage, casings removed
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded 2% reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Directions

1

Cut the top quarter off each squash; reserve tops. Discard seeds. Arrange squashes, cut sides down, in 2 (11 x 7-inch) baking dishes. Fill each dish with 1-inch of water; microwave 1 dish at HIGH 15 minutes. Remove dish; repeat with remaining dish. Cool.
2

Preheat oven to 350°.
3

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage; saute 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon. Add carrot, onion, and garlic to drippings in pan; saute 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 8 minutes or until carrot is tender.
4

Combine sausage, carrot mixture, quinoa, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper; stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Stuff about 1 cup quinoa mixture in each squash, and top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Arrange stuffed squashes in a broiler-safe baking dish, and place tops in dish. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from oven.
5

Preheat broiler to high.
6

Broil squashes 4 minutes or until cheese is golden.