This Sausage Acorn Squash Sheet Pan Dinner is incredibly easy and fall-flavored. It’s perfect for family dinner, but also impressive enough to serve for company!
Oh my goodness, have I got the easiest, most scrumptious, fall-flavored sheet pan meal for you guys today!!
So let’s get one thing out of the way first. Are you pro-acorn squash or anti-acorn squash?? I’m hoping you’re pro, but if not, I’m thinking this crazy delicious Sausage Acorn Squash Sheet Pan Dinner will totally change your mind.
I was not always an acorn squash lover, I’ll admit. My mother served it during the fall when I was a kid and let’s just say, I always made sure the dog was near my spot at the table. I really didn’t give it much of a try though. My palate was still developing. Now, it’s one of my favorite things about fall. Well, besides apples and pumpkin and mulled cider and….well, you get my point. I love it!
There are so many good things about acorn squash. Besides numerous health benefits, like boosting the immune system, protecting your skin and strengthening your bones, it can also be eaten with the skin on and it looks just beautiful when cut into half-moon shapes↑. I’m not gonna lie though, it’s pretty tough to cut, so make sure you’ve got a nice big sharp knife and check out this quick video for tips on cutting. Don’t worry, the extra effort is totally worth it.
I first saw this recipe in Martha Stewart’s cookbook, One Pot. I knew immediately I was going to love it. I made a few tweaks here and there, but for the most part her recipe was spot on. Tasty acorn squash, juicy Italian sausage (hot or sweet), wedges of red onion and fresh sage. All tossed together on a baking sheet. Sounds good huh? And so incredibly easy! I added some thyme leaves, and some broccolini because I wanted some green, and instead of chopping my sage, I added whole leaves. And since cranberries seemed a bit more fall to me, I substituted those for the cherries. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, why not add a sprinkling of gruyere?! And voila! It’ll be the simplest and tastiest sheet pan dinner to come out of your kitchen this fall! Guaranteed!
Hope to see you back at the BHK next week when I’ll be collaborating once again with my friend Alida from Simply Delicious. We’ll be sharing some sweet, delicious pumpkin recipes that you won’t want to miss! Hope your weekend is jam-packed with all the fun things of fall!! Enjoy!
Sausage Acorn Squash Sheet Pan Dinner
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 large acorn squash halved and seeded and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
- 1 small bunch broccolini about 8-10 spears
- 1 red onion cut into wedges
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- 4-6 hot or sweet Italian sausage links about 1 pound
- 1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese
- 8-10 whole sage leaves
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
- Toss acorn squash, broccolini and red onion on a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Make sure everything is in an even layer and you are using a large enough baking sheet so the vegetables are not crowded.
- Season with salt, pepper and thyme leaves.
- Add sausages to top of vegetables and roast until vegetables are tender, about 15-18 minutes.
- Heat the broiler with the rack about 8-10 inches from the heating element.
- Sprinkle the gruyere cheese and the sage leaves over the vegetables and broil until the cheese starts to bubble and lightly brown and until the sausages are cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the cranberries. Serve immediately.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
This looks delicious Mary Ann! I love how you added gruyere on top. Everything is better with cheese after all. This looks like the perfect fall dish for company and easy to prepare while entertaining.
Mary Ann
I knew as soon as I saw the recipe in Martha’s book, I had to try it! Such a comforting meal!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Are there people out there who are anit-acorn squash??? Well those people are certifiable! ;) Obviously I am not one of them… although I am a bit nuts! Lol. Anyways, LOVE this sheet pan dinner, Mary Ann!! Acorn squash is the prettiest and paired with succulent sausages, red onions, broccolini, cheese and herbs – OH MY! Dinner winning going on here! Pinned of course! Cheers friend!
Mary Ann
I’ve eaten this one for the last two nights and it’s just delicious Cheyanne! A fall favorite for sure!
Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com
I am so pro acorn squash Mary Ann. I have a roasted acorn squash coming tomorrow (great minds ;-) I love everything about this dish, especially those sweet cranberries and nutty cheese. And always love the easy clean up from a one dish meal!
Mary Ann
Yay! I can’t wait to see Cathy! This one is such a favorite and yes, don’t you just love how easy the cleanup is with sheet pan meals?!
Gerlinde/ Sunnycovechef
I like this recipe , I usually just roast the acorn squash as a side dish but your recipe turns the squash into a great meal by adding sausages, cheese and sage. Yummy!
Mary Ann
It’s so delicious Gerlinde! You should definitely give this recipe a try!
Gerlinde/ Sunnycovechef
Mary Ann, I have been trying to give you 5 stars but every time I try it only lets me give you 4. What am I doing wrong?
Mary Ann
I’ve been having a problem with that for some reason. I’ll look into it Gerlinde. Thanks for letting me know!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Honestly all of my favorite fall flavors on one sheet dinner… LOVE!
Mary Ann
It’s sooo delicious Jennifer! You’re going to love it!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Love all squash! Bring it on! And easy, tasty, sheet pan dinners like this? That’s totally my jam. Matter of fact, sheet pan dinner for me tonight :) Absolutely love how you used cranberries here instead of cherries and ‘greenified’ the dish with broccolini. And cheese? Well, cheese just makes everything better ;) Such a yummy recipe, Mary Ann! Pinned, of course! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and looking forward to seeing what’s in store next week ;) xo
Mary Ann
Oh Dawn, this dinner!! So incredibly easy and filled with all the yummy flavors of fall! So glad you’re liking it! It’s definitely a must try! Happy weekend! XO
Matt
I would eat acorn squash year round if I could. Love this!
Mary Ann
It’s so easy Matt! Well, cutting the acorn squash is a little tough, but everything else about this one is super simple! And totally fall-flavored!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
I’ve never cooked an acorn squash, Mary Ann. I was wondering about the skin – wasn’t sure if you could eat it or not – but now I know. There are so many interesting winter squash – I need to step up my game and try one! Have a great weekend!
Mary Ann
Oh, it’s really delicious Geraldine and definitely worth a try! Just make sure you’ve got a nice, big sharp knife! Happy weekend!
Kevin | Keviniscooking
Now that’s a one pan meal! Just last week I was tinkering around with acorn squash for recipes and I agree, those suckers are challenging to cut, right? So worth it though, love this.
Mary Ann
Yes, I had to have my husband cut it!! I think I need to purchase a sharper knife, then I’ll be able to do it myself! This meal is loaded with flavor Kevin! I just love it! I hope you enjoy if you give it a try!
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife
This looks like such a gorgeous recipe!! Easy, easy and beautiful to look at — all of my favorite things!! xoxo
Mary Ann
The acorn squash always looks so pretty Rebecca! It’s so easy too, as long as I don’t lose a finger cutting it! Enjoy and happy weekend! XO
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Acorn is my least favorite of all the squashes but I bet a simple sub of kabocha will remedy that because this dinner needs to happen!
Mary Ann
Sounds good Gina. The flavors of this dish are so perfect for fall. Hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a lovely one-pan dinner! We are big sausage fans here and love the combination of flavours and colours with it. I’ll be trying this one for sure :)
Mary Ann
Yes! You’ll love it Jennifer! We’re huge sausage fans too and all the flavors come together wonderfully in this dinner!
Tieghan
Loving this easy autumn meal. Perfection!
Mary Ann
Thanks Tieghan! All the flavors of fall!
Jessica DeMay
What a delicious looking pan of food! I love acorn squash, but I’ve never eaten it with the skin on- I have to try it. Have a great weekend, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
I’ve been enjoying this one all week!! Happy weekend Jessica!
Alida | Simply Delicious
That acorn squash is just beautiful. We don’t get it in South Africa (not that I’ve seen anyway). I love the look of this one (sheet)pan wonder Mary Ann. Yum!
Mary Ann
You can just substitute another type of squash if you can find it. This one is so easy. Perfect for busy weeknights during the fall here. Have a wonderful weekend Alida!
annie@ciaochowbambina
I am pro-acorn squash…one pan meals…and Italian sausage! The touches of sage, cranberry and gruyere take this already fantastic recipe over the top! So cozy and comforting! I’ll be adding this to our meal rotation, for sure! Thank you, my friend!
Mary Ann
Yay! It really is a fantastic combo Annie! Hope you enjoy it! Happy weekend!
Zainab
I am pro acorn squash for sure. And this dish is wonderful!!!
Mary Ann
Glad you’re on board with the acorn squash Zainab! Thanks so much!
Matt @ RoughEats
I can’t resist a good tray bake, easy to toss together and taste great! Plus, sausage, squash, berries and cheese on top. Sounds delicious!
Mary Ann
It’s sooo good Matt! You’ve got to get this one on the menu! Hope your weekend’s going great!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
We must have shared the same childhood. I didn’t like squash at all as a kid, but love it now! I love how this makes a complete meal. Nice and easy for a weeknight meal!
Mary Ann
I love sheet pan meals Kathy!! Everything about them is easy. Putting it all together, the clean up! What’s not to love right?!
Emma
I’ve never tried acorn squash before, since it’s not all that common here in Denmark, but this recipe really makes me want to get my hands on it! Being a huge fan of vegetables, I actually can’t believe that I haven’t tried it before. Now I have a strong desire to head down to my local greengrocer :-)
Emma, http://www.martinyfood.com
Mary Ann
You’ll need to give this recipe a go then Emma! It’s so easy and so flavorful! Perfect for fall! Happy Sunday!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
I love sheet pan dinners and this one is as pretty as a picture! As a life-long squash lover, I am ALL IN. :)
Mary Ann
So glad you like it Kate! So excited for Clemson this weekend! What a game!!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
I love a good sheet pan meal and this is such a perfect fall dinner!
Mary Ann
Me too! Dinner doesn’t get any easier!