An easy and healthy fall meal, this Kale & Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash with Cinnamon Tahini Sauce is packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats and is paleo, gluten free, and Whole30 approved!
Does this recipe not scream fall or what?!
This is my first time stuffing a butternut squash and I don’t know why it took me so long. I stuff sweet potatoes all the time, so why not branch out a little and use butternut squash? Genius! It’s the little things in life ya know.
Even more exciting than my first stuffed butternut squash is the amazing sale that Whole Foods Market is having on ground beef. Starting tomorrow, Wednesday October 25th through Tuesday, October 31st, their animal welfare rated 85% lean ground beef is on sale for $3.99/pound! This is a nationwide sale so make sure you get in early and stock up while supplies last because no rain checks will be be given!
If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know we eat ground beef pretty regularly in our house – it packs protein, fats, and I can cook it up in less than 10 minutes for a quick and easy dinner. But since I used to be a vegetarian, I’m pretty particular about the that beef comes into our house.
Shopping at Whole Foods Market, I don’t have to worry – they have animal welfare quality standards that covers every meat in their meat department. Animals are never given any antibiotics, no added growth hormones, no added preservatives, have required inspections for animal welfares, and Whole Foods Market is committed to transparency and traceable from ranch or farm. They make finding great sourced meat easy for you.
This stuffed squash might look fancy, but it’s super easy to make and only a handful of ingredients. The legit hardest part is cutting the butternut squash in half. While that roasts, you sauté the beef and kale and make the sauce. I’m all about the sweet and savory and the cinnamon tahini sauce pairs perfectly with the butternut squash and beef. Then just cover the squash with all the goodness and dinner is served! My favorite brand of tahini is Soom – if you are looking to try it, use this link to save 10%.
Kale & Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash with Cinnamon Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
Stuffed Squash
- 2 small butternut squashes, cut in half and deseeded (1200-1300 grams each, raw)
- 1 pound ground beef (I used 85% lean)
- 4 cups packed kale, chopped (140 grams)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion (50 grams)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- avocado oil, for greasing
Cinnamon Tahini Sauce
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Drizzle some avocado oil, salt, and pepper on flesh of butternut squash. Place cut side down and roast for 40-45 minutes until soft.
- Make the sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk together. Add more water if needed. Set aside.
- When there is 10 minutes left on the squash, make the beef. Heat a large well seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot (about 1-2 minutes), add onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add ground beef and break it up with the back of a large spoon. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add kale and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted and beef is cooked through and no pink remains. Add spices and lemon juice and stir through.
- Remove squash from oven and let cool a minute. Evenly distribute ground beef mixture over squashes and top with tahini sauce.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Sara @ Oats & Rows
October 24, 2017 at 5:56 pmThis looks UNREAL!
Kelly
October 26, 2017 at 9:37 amThanks Sara! I hope you like it!!
Kristin @ FoodFash
October 26, 2017 at 11:33 amI was drooling over this dish on your instastories!
Kelly
October 30, 2017 at 11:10 amYay! It has become my new fall favorite. Thanks Kristin!
Jen
October 29, 2017 at 2:04 pmLooks so delish – and perfect for Whole30 (which we are on until mid-November! hah!)
Kelly
October 30, 2017 at 11:13 amThanks Jen! And yes, perfect for Whole30 – I hope it is going well for you!
Joanie Anderson
October 31, 2017 at 6:31 pmCan you add me to your distribution list for recipes. This looks so good.
Kelly
November 2, 2017 at 8:29 pmHi Joanie! I just added you – hope you enjoy the recipes 🙂
Sheila
January 18, 2018 at 10:44 pmI would love to be on your list too!
Kelly
January 19, 2018 at 8:00 amHi Shelia! I just added you. Please let me know if that worked and you get the free meal prep guide. Thanks!
Sarah
October 25, 2018 at 9:03 pmI made this tonight. It was amazing! What a fabulous blend of flavors. The sauce is incredible!
Kelly
October 26, 2018 at 1:09 pmYay! So glad to hear that Sarah! This was one of my favorite recipes from last year, I love the sauce too! Thanks for trying it 🙂
Sarah
December 5, 2018 at 9:57 pmI made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! I’m definitely going to be searching the website for more tahini-based sauces.
Kelly
December 6, 2018 at 12:15 pmSo glad you enjoyed it Sarah! Tahini is my favorite, I have a handful of recipes with it!
Erica
December 30, 2018 at 9:38 pmExcellent recipe! Very easy to make, start to finish about an hour and delicious! My husband and I both loved. The tahini sauce is super yummy and this is different than our normal recipes, so nice to mix in. Thank you!
Kelly
December 31, 2018 at 11:58 amSo glad you both loved it! I’m a huge fan of the sauce too! Thanks for trying it Erica!
Mary Alice Nichols
January 7, 2019 at 10:58 amLOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. Honestly probably going to make this at least two more times this month during my first Whole30! If you’re looking for something that is super filling, really easy, and a unique flavor profile look no further. It’s sweet with a hint of savory which at this point in my Whole30 (Day 6) I am totally craving anything sweet! (TBH I wanted to lick the jar I made the sauce in…that good.)
I’ve been working my way through your blog and your sauces and so many recipes are making this first Whole30 experience the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Thank you for putting out such great content!!
Kelly
January 8, 2019 at 9:36 amAw thank you so much Mary Alice, that just made my day. I’m so glad you liked it and glad you are finding my blog helpful! I appreciate you being here 🙂
Jayna
February 17, 2019 at 9:09 amI made this last week for my family of four, which includes a 3 year old and a 4 year old. Every single one of us loved it, I didn’t have to argue with my kids at all about finishing their dinner! Will definitely be making again!
Kelly
February 19, 2019 at 12:55 pmAw yay, that makes me so so happy! I don’t have kids, but I’m glad to hear it was a hit with them. Thanks so much for trying it Jayna!
Megan
February 18, 2019 at 8:08 pmThis is a staple in our house! We use Trader Joe’s butternut squash zigzags and my husband raves about how this is his favorite dinner every time I make it!
Kelly
February 19, 2019 at 12:53 pmYAY! That makes me so happy, especially when the guys approve! And I love that you use those zigzags. Thanks for trying it Megan!
Arielle
February 27, 2019 at 11:35 amHave you tried this using ground pork? I have a pound of ground pork in the fridge and am craving these flavors!
Kelly
February 27, 2019 at 8:40 pmHi Arielle! I haven’t but I think it would work great with any ground meat. Pork sounds delicious! Let me know how it goes!
Kayleigh
September 10, 2019 at 6:36 pmThis recipe was absolutely amazing! I love the tahini sauce that goes on top. I’ll definitely make it again even when I’m not following Whole 30!!
Kelly
September 19, 2019 at 2:26 pmYay! It’s some of my favorites too Kayleigh! Glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for trying it!
Barb
October 28, 2019 at 10:43 amI love the addition of Tahini to the sauce. I need to try this, I bet it adds great flavor. Adding it to my grocery list now.
Kelly
November 5, 2019 at 7:30 amThanks Barb! It really ties the whole meal together. Hope you try them!
Allison
December 4, 2019 at 6:20 amJust wanted to say we made this the other night, but used ground lamb instead of beef (just cause we had it on hand, lol). Kept everything else the same and followed the recipe exactly.
It, was, perfect!
Huge hit with the family and will be making again. If anyone wants to know, definitely reccomend with either lamb or goat. 👌🏻
Kelly
December 9, 2019 at 10:18 amOh I love that substitution! We love lamb in our house so I will have to try it with that. So glad you guys liked it and thanks for trying Allison!
Sadie
January 12, 2020 at 1:11 pmThe recipe looks delicious. Before I make it (for one) I’m wondering how well it would reheat.
Thank you!
Kelly
January 12, 2020 at 3:33 pmHi Sadie! Yes, it reheats well – I would just store all the components separately in the fridge (leave off the sauce on ones you aren’t going to eat too) and heat up separately. You can definitely half the recipe if needed too!