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!
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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 85% lean ground beef
- 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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This looks UNREAL!
Thanks Sara! I hope you like it!!
I was drooling over this dish on your instastories!
Yay! It has become my new fall favorite. Thanks Kristin!
Looks so delish – and perfect for Whole30 (which we are on until mid-November! hah!)
Thanks Jen! And yes, perfect for Whole30 – I hope it is going well for you!
Can you add me to your distribution list for recipes. This looks so good.
Hi Joanie! I just added you – hope you enjoy the recipes 🙂
I would love to be on your list too!
Hi Shelia! I just added you. Please let me know if that worked and you get the free meal prep guide. Thanks!
I made this tonight. It was amazing! What a fabulous blend of flavors. The sauce is incredible!
Yay! 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 🙂
I 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.
So glad you enjoyed it Sarah! Tahini is my favorite, I have a handful of recipes with it!
Excellent 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!
So glad you both loved it! I’m a huge fan of the sauce too! Thanks for trying it Erica!
LOVE 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!!
Aw 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 🙂
I 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!
Aw 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!
This 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!
YAY! That makes me so happy, especially when the guys approve! And I love that you use those zigzags. Thanks for trying it Megan!
Have you tried this using ground pork? I have a pound of ground pork in the fridge and am craving these flavors!
Hi Arielle! I haven’t but I think it would work great with any ground meat. Pork sounds delicious! Let me know how it goes!