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Easy Sheet Pan Sausage and Roasted Acorn Squash Dinner

sheet pan sausage and acorn squash - featured image

A quick and easy sheet pan dinner featuring caramelized acorn squash and savory smoked sausage, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 45 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium acorn squash (about 1.5 lbs), halved, seeded, and cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
  • 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1-inch rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 small red onion, cut into wedges (optional)
  • 23 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
  • Fresh rosemary or sage for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Prepare the acorn squash: Cut the squash in half from stem to tip, scoop out seeds and stringy bits, then slice into 1-inch thick wedges.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the squash wedges with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme until evenly coated.
  4. Arrange the squash in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Roast for 15 minutes.
  5. While the squash roasts, slice the sausage into 1-inch rounds. In the same bowl, toss the sausage with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
  6. After 15 minutes, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Flip the squash wedges, then scatter the sausage pieces around the pan. Add optional red onion or garlic if using.
  7. Return to the oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until the squash is tender and caramelized and the sausage is browned and heated through. For extra browning, broil for the last 2 minutes.
  8. Let the pan rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve directly from the sheet pan or transfer to a platter.

Notes

For best results, cut squash wedges uniformly and don’t overcrowd the pan. If using leaner sausage, watch closely to avoid drying out. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat well in a 350Β°F oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan dinner, sausage, acorn squash, fall recipe, easy dinner, one-pan meal, gluten-free, dairy-free