Orzo And Cheese Baked In Acorn Squash Food

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the acorn squash: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Trim the tops and bottoms off the squash. Cut in half horizontally so the cut-ends will keep the pieces flat. Clean the inside of the squash. Separate the seeds from the membranes and rinse well. Dry the seeds with a paper towel and set aside.
• Place the squash cut-side up on a baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Place the seeds on a separate baking sheet or foil. Roast the squash 30 minutes. Roast the seeds at the same time, checking and moving them around after 10 minutes and again after 20 minutes. Depending on the size of the seeds, they may be done after 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes. Sprinkle the seeds with the remaining salt, and set aside with the squash.
• For the filling: Set a large saute pan over high heat and add the butter. When melted, add the cabbage, onions, peppers, sprinkle with salt and pepper and gently toss to combine. Allow the cabbage to wilt down, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and toss to combine. Saute 2 to 4 minutes longer, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• For assembling: Preheat the broiler to low. Fill the roasted acorn squash halves with the filling. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the top, then top with the roasted squash seeds. Broil just until the cheese is warm. Garnish with a small amount of Italian parsley, if using, and serve.

ORZO AND CHEESE BAKED IN ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Cut off thin slice from rounded side of each squash half. Arrange squash, open side down, in roasting pan. Add 3/4 cup water to pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until squash is tender about 35 minutes. Remove from oven; discard water. Turn squash open side up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Maintain oven temperature.
• Meanwhile, cook orzo in pot of boiling salted water until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Pour milk and broth into same pot; bring to boil. Add orzo; boil until liquid thickens and orzo is tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Season with hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper.
• Divide orzo mixture among squash halves. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Bake until tops begin to brown, about 25 minutes.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH POMEGRANATE AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
• Wash the two whole squash under running water and pat dry. Cut the squash in half by inserting the tip of a chef's knife in the center of the squash where the stem connects. Push the tip in until it has cut all the way through the skin and flesh, then press down firmly on the handle, bringing the heel of the blade all the way to the cutting board. Turn the squash 180 degrees and repeat on the other side, splitting the squash. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon.
• Slice the squash into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Heat a 14-inch cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once heated, add the squash in an even layer. Season with salt and pepper and sear on the first side until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes, in batches if needed. Place the seared squash on the prepared sheet tray, seared-side down, and season the top side with salt and pepper. Scatter the thyme sprigs over the squash and put into the oven. Roast until the edges are brown and the squash is tender in the middle, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer the squash to a large bowl, season with more salt, pepper and cumin to taste. Drizzle with the warmed syrup and toss to combine. Pour onto a platter and sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and goat cheese.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH CHEESY MUSHROOM RICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Brush cut sides of squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place, skin-side up, on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.
• While squash bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Add rice; cook and stir until rice is coated, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in Cheddar cheese.
• Remove squash from the oven, flip over, and season with salt and pepper. Fill squash with rice mixture, sprinkle with panko, and drizzle with remaining olive oil.
• Return to the oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until panko is brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.

CREAMY BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash halves cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Divide cream and thyme among halves.
• Bake until squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake until cheese is melted and golden, 10 to 15 minutes more.

GREEK-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place squash halves, cut side up, on a large baking sheet; roast until they can just be pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, place lentils in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, covered, until tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain. Remove and set aside. In the same saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add orzo; cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving broth., In a large skillet, cook sausage, crumbling meat, until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Add lentils and orzo to skillet; remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup feta cheese and Greek seasoning; mix well., Pour reserved chicken broth back into saucepan. Over medium heat, whisk in flour until thickened, then pour into sausage mixture., When cool enough to handle, quarter squash and return to baking sheet. Top with sausage mixture. Bake until squash are tender, about 30 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with french-fried onions and, if desired, additional feta.

BAKED ORZO AND PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add in the green onions and garlic; saute/stir for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
• Add in the orzo; stir constantly/cook 1 minute longer.
• Add in broth, salt and pepper to taste; bring to a boil.
• Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add in Parmesan and parsley; stir.
• Bake, covered, in a 350° oven for 35-40 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil.
• Put quartered squash on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down. Sprinkle lightly with salt; don't add too much!
• Roast squash in the preheated oven until tender when poked with a fork, about 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and brush squash pieces with melted butter. Season with pepper, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

BAKED ORZO WITH PEPPERS AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil orzo in boiling, salted water 10 to 12 minutes until tender; drain.
• Mix orzo peppers, chiles and mozzarella cheese. Place in buttered casserole dish.
• Spread sour cream evenly over top, sprinkle with Parmesan and dot with butter.
• Bake at 450º for 15 mintues until golden and puffed.
• Cool slightly.

TWICE-BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash upside down on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. , Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until tender. Scoop out squash, leaving a 1/4-in. shell., In a large bowl, combine the squash pulp, spinach, bacon, 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, green onion, butter, salt and cayenne. , Spoon into shells. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and top is golden brown.