Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash

I’ve got a ridiculously easy recipe for chili stuffed acorn squash today! If you already have chili then it just takes a few moments to clean and roast a squash, and then dinner is served.

This particular time, I used the Meatless Select Five Bean Chili that came in the most recent Vegan Cuts snack box, made by Atlantic Natural Foods. I liked it a lot! It does have wheat in it, though, but many other brands do not. We added some cayenne pepper, because we like it to burn a little bit :). Another canned chili that is pretty wholesome & good tasting is Amy’s Organic Spicy Chili, which I have been able to buy at my ordinary supermarket.

The spiciness of the chili with the sweetness of the acorn squash is a really satisfying combination. Any chili will do! Just for fun, here are a few vegan (or pretty much vegan) chili recipes that have caught my eye:

Black-eyed Pea Chili with Quinoa from FatFree Vegan
Slow Cooker Poblano White Chili from Potluck at Oh My Veggies
Chorizo Chili with Black Beans from The Vegetarian Ginger
Peanut Butter Chili from Eating Bird Food

Hope your week has been a little warmer than mine!

5 from 1 vote

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Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash

This shortcut chili stuffed acorn squash tastes like a million bucks but comes together with just minutes of hands-on work, thanks to using your favorite store-bought chili.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian

Keyword chili stuffed acorn squash

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Yield 2 stuffed squash halves

Calories Per Serving 335 kcal

Author Yup, it's Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 acorn squash halved and seeded
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
• salt and pepper
• 1 and 1/2 cups Amy's spicy chili or prepared chili of choice
• fresh cilantro , for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Fill an ungreased loaf pan or roasting pan with about an inch of tap water.
2. Score the top of the acorn squash halves with a sharp knife and gently rub the brown rice syrup onto the surface. Put about 2 tablespoons of nondairy milk in the well of each of the squash halves. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the squash.
3. Bake for about 45 minutes or until nearly soft, then add about 1/2 cup of chili to each half of squash.
4. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until chili is hot and squash is cooked through. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

The water in the bottom of the pan is used to keep the peel and interior of the squash from drying out. It only needs to be about an inch of water - more water might cover too much of the squash and increase the time it takes to cook.

Cutting an acorn squash in half is easiest if you have a heavy-duty chef's knife, because you want to cut it vertically straight through the stem. If you're having trouble getting through the stem, just slice as close to it as you can. It's okay if the squash halves aren't perfectly equal in size, as it's difficult to overcook.

Nutrition Facts

Chili Stuffed Acorn Squash

Amount Per Serving (1 squash half)

Calories 335 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Total Carbohydrates 56g 19%

Dietary Fiber 9g 36%

Sugars 10g

Protein 14g 28%

Vitamin A 31%

Vitamin C 58%

Calcium 12%

Iron 25%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.