Ingredients
– 2 medium acorn squash
– 1 cup cooked quinoa
– 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
– 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 1 small onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– ½ teaspoon paprika
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¼ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or pepper jack)
– Olive oil for drizzling
– Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Creating this incredible dish involves simple steps that guarantee delicious results:
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Squash: Slice the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil on each half and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 30 minutes until tender.
4. Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and sauté until soft. Add garlic, corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa and black beans with the sautéed vegetables until well combined. Stir in half of the shredded cheese.
6. Stuff the Squash: Once the squash is tender, take it from the oven and fill each half generously with the quinoa filling.
7. Add Cheese: Top each stuffed squash with the remaining cheese.
8. Bake Again: Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
These steps will help guide you smoothly through creating this mouthwatering dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 12g