She Says: Twice Baked Acorn Squash

The other day I was reading a magazine that had a Thanksgiving recipe for Twice Baked Potatoes that involved a lot of cream and cheese. And cream cheese. My own mother makes something quite similar on Thanksgiving. The idea of something being twice baked entices me. It conjures up images of hot cocoa and fire places. I gave it some thought and came up with these healthier, but just as tasty, Twice Baked Acorn Squash. 

IMG_9116

Ingredients

  • 1 Acorn Squash
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 C Frozen Spinach
  • 1 C Brown Rice
  • 1/4 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • A few Ts of Parmesan Cheese
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt

Directions

  1. Wash and cut the acorn squash in half. Remove the seeds, drizzle with EVOO and roast at 425* for 20 – 25 minutes. Let cool. (I actually did this part yesterday and put it in the fridge).
  2. Prepare the rice according the directions.
  3. Remove all the acorn squash from the inside and put in a medium bowl. Save the skin of the squash.
  4. Add a few shakes of garlic powder and one shake of salt.
  5. Add the frozen spinach to the squash mix.
  6. When the rice is cooked at the squash/spinach combo to the warm rice.
  7. Add in the two kinds of cheese and about 1 T of EVOO and stir.  
  8. Scoop the mix back into the two acorn squash skins.
  9. Bake the acorn at 350* for about 15 minutes. At the very end, sprinkle on a little more cheddar cheese.

While eating his Mark kept remarking at how good it was. I told him some of the things I thought could improve the recipe – mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar, adding cannellini beans maybe.  Mark, however, liked it just the way it was. 

***

I feel badly transitioning to foot talk, but I must tell you that my foot is aching today. Perhaps the day on my feet at school, even with the boot on, wore me out because it’s quite sore. :(

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63 Responses to “She Says: Twice Baked Acorn Squash”

  1. Lesley Living Life Says:

    Twice baked squash is such a great idea … I love the sounds of that. I have some squash in my fridge right now that needs eaten and I’ll have to remember this!

    I hope you foot gets to feeling better soon and very soon! :)

  2. Joelle (The Pancake Girl) Says:

    That’s a great looking recipe! Any food twice baked DOES conjure up cozy images!

    Rest your foot and elevate it… I hope it feels better soon!:)

  3. Evan Thomas Says:

    That sounds great! I’d love it stuffed with lentils
    Take care of your foot; never rush a recovery

  4. Victoria Says:

    I love this idea! I may steal it soon.

  5. Amelia Says:

    Great idea! I love the concept of twice baked potatoes. I’d never thought about doing the same with squash.

  6. maria Says:

    Sorry to hear the foot’s not feeling better. I’m in a similar boat. Hope we both are back on our feet (literally!) soon!

  7. Julie @savvyeats Says:

    What an awesome idea! Twice baked potatoes are good, so this is the perfect “healthy version” of them!

  8. Cynthia (It All Changes) Says:

    Twice baked = comfort food.

    Sorry your foot is hurting. Perhaps take some anti inflamatories in advance tomorrow to present the soreness?

  9. Katie Says:

    I had a very similar dinner! Only I used the pumpkin vinegarette rice and beans (that you shared a few weeks ago) – and it was diving! Sorry about the foot – take it easy tonight.

  10. Michelle@ Eatingjourney Says:

    OH MY GOD..that looks amazing. I am going to try that.

  11. Deb Says:

    I’ve never cooked acorn squash before but I have one sitting on my kitchen counter waiting for me to be inspired. So thanks for the inspiration!

  12. Hil Says:

    I love twice baked things–I made twice baked sweet potatoes recently and they were fantastic. Your squash look delicious!

  13. Heather's Bestie Says:

    EGGNOG LATTES HAVE HFCS IN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PISS!

  14. Mama Pea Says:

    Ohh…take it easy with that foot, girl. Your dinner sounds like the perfect combo of sweet and salty: my fave!!!

  15. Diana Says:

    I’m sorry your foot was aching yesterday, I hope it’s better today!
    That squash looks so good :)

  16. MizFit Says:

    hmmmm and LUCKY ME has thanksgiving at her domicile this year…I may need to print this.
    hows the foot today??

  17. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is Says:

    This meal looks delicious!

  18. chandra Says:

    Aahh – this is a GREAT idea! I have an acorn squash I’ve been wondering what to do with! I’m going to go roast it now so I can twice bake it tonight for a quick dinner! :)

    I don’t mind the foot talk. ;-) I don’t know if you’ll be like my situation since you have a full break, but I’ve been finding some days I feel great, like my foot is almost healed, and some days I just want to cut my foot off because it is non-stop sore… It’s strange.

  19. Dori Says:

    Amazing recipe! I have an acorn squash sitting here and now it has a purpose. I roasted one yesterday and while it was sweet and yummy, it was nothing special and meal-like like this one. I will be making this! Thanks!

  20. Lu Says:

    Wow! That squash looks great. Take care of your foot. You don’t want to hurt yourself more.

  21. Stephanie Says:

    Yum! That looks delicious, I will definitely be making that soon. I hope your foot feels better soon, I’m sure it is frustrating. Keep you spirits up : )

  22. CaSaundra Says:

    Love this combo!! Good thing food can always make us feel better :-)

  23. Tina Says:

    THat looks soooo good. I just got an acorn squash so thanks for the idea!

  24. Debbi Says:

    Twice baked squash – yum. Will definitely give this a try. I do spegetti squash with spegetti sauce and sometimes a meat substitute.
    Your foot probably hurst like you said just from being on it all day. Remember, every day of rest means closer to back to running.

  25. RunToTheFinish Says:

    oh my that looks devine! seriously so creative.

    sorry the foot is hurting today, you are probably right that being on it all day is going to make it kinda hurt. can you do an ice bath for it?

  26. Megan (Bites of the Apple) Says:

    That looks incredible. I’m making it tonight!

  27. Christine @ hot mama health Says:

    Whoa! This looks A-mazing! I bet this smelled great when it was in the oven. Did you eat the squash skin too?

  28. Graze With Me Says:

    Thanks for the recipe, I have one acorn squash just sitting on my counter waiting to be made into this. Perfect!

  29. Anne Marie @ New Weigh of Life Says:

    Looks yummy! I have a new found love for acorn squash. I hope your foot feels beter!

  30. Madeleine @ Notes On A Page Says:

    Wow, this looks tasty! I love me some starchy twice-baked potatoes, but I can get on board with this :)

  31. Courtney Says:

    Fabulous recipe idea. I will be trying this ASAP!

  32. Rose Says:

    I may just make this tonight. It looks so comforting.

  33. HeatherBakes Says:

    Stuffed acorn squash- that’s actually pretty brilliant!! I love baked squash but always end up smothering it with butter and brown sugar :)

    I hope your foot feels better! Take it easy (I know, easier said than done for a teacher, right?).

  34. Deirdre Says:

    OMG this sounds amazing. I hope your foot feels better tomorrow.

  35. Beth @ DiningAndDishing Says:

    I have really been meaning to make a twice baked squash of some form. This one looks delish! I will have to give it a try soon.

  36. Bridget Says:

    GENIUS!!! That sounds SO good!!!! I am totally making that ASAP. I have been looking for a good savory squash recipe :) I bet brocolli would be delish as well, with the cheddar!

  37. RhodeyGirl Says:

    Looks like you are feeling inspired again! This sounds GREAT! Think it could be equally as good sans cheese? Be honest~

  38. Jess Says:

    That’s a really great idea. Also, the Kashi pizzas are just…not good. I love all their other products so I’m confused by their terrible pizzas.

  39. Danielle Says:

    That sounds delicious! I made a similar thing this past weekend, I’m blogging the recipe tomorrow. I think you two would like it :)

  40. Ali@ Food, Fitness, Fashion Says:

    Love that idea, looks great! I love the brown rice in it for some extra fiber! great recipe :)

  41. Stacy (Eating To Live Love Laugh Tri) Says:

    Mmm…that looks awesome!

    Stay off that foot and let it heal!

  42. Whitney @ Lettuce Love Says:

    Great idea! I will have to try this :)

  43. bobbi Says:

    on my menu for the week sounds easy and yummy thanks H!

  44. Heather Says:

    I did not eat the skin, but I believe that you can. Anyone know for sure?

  45. Heather Says:

    I don’t know, but I am going to ice right now. Good idea!

  46. Heather Says:

    It was a little stiff this morning, but much better now. Thanks for asking.:D

  47. Heather Says:

    Eggnog Lattes are gross anyway.

  48. Sagan Says:

    YUM! Haven’t had an acorn squash in a while, this looks great.

  49. Chickpea and Greens Stuffed Squash « Says:

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  50. Stephanie (Foodie McFood) Says:

    That looks delicious. I haven’t acorn squash since I was kid. I think it’s time to make it. I also think it may be time to eat a twice baked potato. “The spud so nice, they baked it twice!”

  51. Samantha Says:

    Sorry your foot is hurting! That is no fun; I know a lot of people that are wearing the boot right now…thank you so much for this recipe! It looks amazing. I cannot wait to try it!

  52. Meredith (Pursuing Balance) Says:

    Mmm this twice-baked squash looks fantastic! Hope your foot feels better.

  53. lk Says:

    this looks so super good!!

  54. Mark Says:

    This was excellent and I want another.

  55. Today…I will not kill my insides « Eating Journey Says:

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  57. Caroline Says:

    Saw this the other day and I finally picked up the correct kind of squash. I just came back to check out the ingredients and method and was really excited to see that Mark enjoyed it! I am hoping my B.F. will feel the same way. I think I might try some different cheeses too :)

  58. Marianne Says:

    Those look delicious. I could see subbing in broccoli for the spinach depending on what you have on hand. I get so bored eating squash “as is”, the way my mom always prepares it. This would be a great way to mix it up. I must remember this!

  59. I Am In Love… | Running Leaner and Greener Says:

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  61. Christine @ hot mama health Says:

    I made the stuffed acorn squash tonight and it was sooo good! Thanks so much for sharing. I am excited to have so much of the filling left over…it will be my lunch to get me through until Thanksgiving!

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