Description
These Stuffed Mini Pumpkins are a cozy and festive fall dish made with roasted sugar pumpkins filled with sausage, wild rice, and veggies, topped with melty cheese. Perfect for Thanksgiving or weeknight comfort, this fall dinner idea is wholesome, hearty, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
4 mini sugar pumpkins
1 pound ground sausage
2 cups cooked wild rice
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, chopped
⅓ cup dried cranberries (optional)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Gruyère)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or sage, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice the tops off each mini pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and stringy insides.
2. Drizzle the pumpkin interiors with olive oil, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up, and roast for 25-30 minutes until just tender.
3. While pumpkins roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage until browned and crumbled.
4. Add the diced onion, garlic, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.
5. Stir in the wild rice, fresh herbs, and cranberries if using. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
6. Remove roasted pumpkins from the oven and fill each with the sausage-rice mixture, packing generously.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pumpkin. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
These stuffed pumpkins make a perfect centerpiece for fall meals.
You can swap sausage for mushrooms to make it vegetarian-friendly.
Dried cranberries add a sweet twist—skip or substitute based on taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting and sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pumpkin
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg