Loaded Acorn Squash

Serves 4-6  |  Prep time: 20 minutes  |  Cook Time: 45 minutes

Recipe by Mariah Reil, MS, RD, LN

Ingredients:

2 acorn squash

1 tbsp olive oil

½ onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb lean, Reil Ranch grass-fed ground beef

1 container baby bella mushrooms (about 1-2 cups)

¼ cup dried cranberries

½ cup low sodium beef or chicken broth

½ tsp rosemary

½ tsp sage

1 tsp black pepper

½ cup pecans

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450. Slice squash in half and discard seeds/inside. Drizzle insides with olive oil. 
2. Bake facing down for 20-25 minutes. Scoop out and set aside. 
3. In a large pan, sauté onion and garlic until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and cook through. 
4. Add mushrooms, dried fruit, broth, and spices and cook until the mushrooms are soft, about 5-8 minutes. 
5. Add the inner squash and pecans and stir to incorporate. 
6. Scoop stuffing into the squash boats and sprinkle with cheese. 
7. Bake at 450 for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Grass-fed beef can be an easy choice to work towards consuming more important nutrients. In addition to Omega-3 fatty acids, grass-fed beef also contains a greater amount of Conjugated-Linoleic Acid. CLA is an important type of Omega-6 fatty acid. However, it is sometimes difficult to get from diet alone. Choosing grass-fed beef over conventional beef can be one way to include more CLA in your diet. Studies have shown that people who consume greater amounts of CLA have a reduced risk of certain diseases, such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer. Try this tasty recipe, filled with nutrients that the whole family will enjoy!