Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash

How adorable and pretty are these mini squash, stopping me in my tracks at my local German supermarket?  In all honesty, I had already bought butternut squash and a Hokkaido pumpkin. However, I could not resist these. Something delicious will happen with them. This Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash is the perfect fall dish. But I will get to that in a minute.

Because I had a hell of a time trying to find out the name of the variety. The stickers on these little beauties said “Surprise Microwave Pumpkin”. Huh.  I googled every possible combination of this both in English and German. No result. So, after digging deep into squash varieties, I finally found a name that matched a picture of what was sitting on my counter. Sweet Dumpling Squash.  Sorry to veer off the subject of our main player, this Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash recipe.

Sweet Dumpling Squash

Sweet dumpling squash may sound like a dessert, but don’t be fooled—it’s actually a charming little winter squash that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. With its petite, round shape and cream-colored skin striped in green, this squash is as cute as it is delicious. Moreover, its flavor is naturally sweet and nutty, which makes it perfect for roasting, stuffing, or even turning into a cozy autumn soup. This Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash beautifully showcases its flavor.

In addition, sweet dumpling squash is packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. They bring a healthy boost to your plate while still feeling indulgent. Best of all, its small size means you don’t need to wrestle it like a giant pumpkin—just slice, season, and roast. So, whether you’re serving it as a side dish, using it as an edible bowl, or sneaking it into a sweet-savory mash, this squash is ready to steal the spotlight at your table.

Roast these striped babies for about half an hour. When they cool, slice off the lids on each. Then scoop out and discard the seeds. Scrape out the tender squash flesh, reserving 1/4 inch rim. Set aside.

I love gochujang. It brings so much flavor and lovely spice to dishes. This Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash dish is simple. Sauté onions and scallions in butter and olive oil. Add the ground beef. Mix in the Gochuchang. Then the squash. Stuff the squash with the spicy ground beef mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake for another 10 minutes.

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Spicy Beef Stuffed Sweet Dumpling Squash

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Beef Stuffed Squash, fall recipes, Gochujang Ground Beef, Ground Beef Recipes, mini-squash recipes, Spicy Ground beef, Stuffed Squash, sweet dumpling squash

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 53 minutes

Servings 4

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 4 Sweet Dumpling Squash
• 1 onion
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup chopped scallions plus more for garnish
• 1 LB ground beef
• 2 tablespoons Gochujang paste
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
2. Place the squash whole on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Roast for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from oven.
5. When cool enough to handle, slice the lids off and reserve.
6. Scoop out the squash, leaving 1/2 inch shell.
7. Discard the seeds and reserve the flesh.
8. Reduce the oven heat to 350°F.
9. Reposition the squash shells and lids on a baking sheet.
10. Chop the flesh into small pieces.
11. Peel and dice the onion.
12. Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet.
13. Add the onions and sauté until transparent.
14. Stir in the scallions
15. Stir in the ground beef. Cook until browned.
16. Add the Gochujang paste and thoroughly combine.
17. Add the squash pieces and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
18. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
19. Spoon the meat mixture into the squash.
20. Place the lids on the sides of each squash
21. Sprinkle the cheese on top.
22. Bake for 10 minutes.
23. Plate with the lids off-center.
24. Garnish the scallions and serve.

So, do you like this Spicy Beef Stuffed Squash? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH HONEY SOUP

BREAD KNÖDEL IN PEPPER CREAM

BUTTERNUT SQUASH OATMEAL COOKIES