This sweet & savory recipe for Slow-Cooker Acorn Squash is fabulous. Brown sugar and apple stuffed acorn squash is an easy autumn recipe perfect for the Crock-Pot. It takes just a few minutes to prep and as it cooks, your house couldn't smell more amazing.
Why this Stuffed Acorn Squash CrockPot Recipe is Amazing: There is no better side dish with fall harvest vibes & flavors. Think of it as a crustless apple pie & squash dessert that you get to eat as a side dish.
These tender acorn squash halves filled with apples are wonderful to serve for Thanksgiving or Christmas with my recipe for cooking a 20-pound turkey or any small holiday dinner in fall or winter with Foolproof Turkey Breast.
Hands down this is the best acorn squash recipe for the slow cooker. If you love acorn squash, try some healthy but yummy Air Fried Acorn Squash Slices. Ok, now we cook!
Ingredients
All you need is 6 simple ingredients for this recipe. Plus a little water for the bottom of the crock.
Besides a large acorn squash & a your favorite kind of apple, it is all about the spices.A combination of warm flavors typically used in pumpkin or sweet potato pie, set this recipe over the top!
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Acorn Squash - medium or large in size so it can be filled once hollowed out but make sure your slow cooker can fit two halves.
- Apple - a sweet-tart baking apple variety like golden delicious, granny smith, or honeycrisp works best.
- Salted Butter - for rich flavor.
- Sweet Spices - cinnamon & clove pair well with apples & squash.
- Brown Sugar - to sweeten up the savory flavor this edible gourd has.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Crock-Pot
Before you begin, it is important to make sure you have a CrockPot size & shape this recipe needs. I am using an 8-Quart Oval CrockPot.
Each squash half will be fairly large and will need to be in a single layer. Therefore, a small round slow cooker will not work well with this recipe.
Here are the easy steps for slow cooking acorn squash halves:
- Cut & Prep the Squash
- Add the Filling
- Set it & Forget it
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Cut & Prep the Squash
The key when cutting an acorn squash for stuffing is to make sure the two halves are the same size and the bottoms are flat. I recommend using a sharp Chef's Knife to cut this safely in 2 easy steps.
- Cut it across the middle horizontally to expose the inside cavity of fibers and seeds.
- Slice off the ends (the stem and pointed end) so that the bottoms will be flat.
Next, use a medium-sized metal spoon to scrape out the fibers and seeds inside the halves. Each cavity should be fairly deep and plenty big for filling them up.
2 - Add the Filling
Begin by placing each acorn squash in the bottom of the slow cooker. You will divide all the ingredients in half so each squash has the same amount of ingredients.
First, add the diced apples and top with the diced pieces of butter into the cavities of each one. Next, sprinkle the spices evenly over each half.
The final step will be to pour the water slowly around each acorn squash. The water will help create the steam that will help cook the brown sugar and apple-stuffed acorn squash to soft and tender perfection.
3 - Set it & Forget it
For how long to cook the acorn squash in your Crock Pot, the best setting would be to do so on low for 3-4 hours. You will know the slow cooker acorn squash is ready when the apples and squash are soft and fork-tender.
Serving Suggestions
Remove each carefully from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board. Cut each half into two equal-sized pieces if you want 4 servings. It's best serve immediately while warm.
What to Serve with Acorn Squash : this side pairs well with comfort food main dishes with fall or winter ingredients. Here are a few recipes I recommend:
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.
- #1 Tip - make sure the squash will fit in the CrockPot!
- Try using pears instead of apples as a fruit substitute.
- This is a gluten-free& vegetarian; for a vegan option try my recipe for Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices.
- This recipe has sugar & butter so not exactly a healthy vegetable side but without all the goodies added, there are a lot of Health Benefits of Acorn Squash so make it part of your diet when you can.
- Make this recipe from October - December when acorn squash are at their peak & easy to find in stores.
- I am not ashamed to admit that I eat leftovers a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - yes veggies for dessert!
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- 1 apple
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¾ Cup water
Optional additional ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon raisins
- 1 Tablespoon dried cranberries
- apples & pear combo vs just apples
Savory Meats optional additional Ingredients - use only half an apple and then add the following:
- ¼ cup cooked crumbled sausage or bacon
Instructions
- Cut the acorn squash in half horizontally across the middle. Slice off the stem or uneven bottom of the squash. You want each half to be flat in the bottom of the slow cooker insert so that the other ingredients stay in place.
- Scoop out the insides and remove seeds and fibers. Place each half inside the slow cooker insert
- Core and cut apples in medium-sized cubes about ½" each. (peeled or unpeeled, whatever your preference is) Add half of the apple pieces to each acorn squash cavity.
- Cut each tablespoon of butter into 4 cubes for a total of 8 tiny cubes. Add 4 tiny cubes to each apple stuffed acorn squash.
- Sprinkle each acorn squash half with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon & ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg.
- Pour the water carefully into the slow cooker insert along the inside edge so that you do not pour it directly onto the squash but around it.
- Next, place the lid on the slow cooker. Set it on low and cook for 3 – 4 hours. (depends on side of the acorn squash)
- You know the apple stuffed acorn squash is ready when a fork pierces into the flesh easily and the apples are soft.
- Carefully remove each acorn squash half from the slow cooker. Place on a platter and cut each into 2 large wedge pieces. It will be a total of 4 servings.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on serving size.
- Make sure the acorn squash will fit in your slow cooker insert, pick out small, medium or large at the store.
- This pairs well with turkey, chicken, or pork - ideal for fall or winter cozy meals or holidays (Thanksgiving,Christmas, etc)
Nutrition
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Here are some similar recipes to make in fall or winter in your CrockPot:
- SLOW COOKER BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
- SLOW COOKER SWEET POTATO & CHICKEN CURRY
- SLOW COOKER HUNGARIAN GOULASH
- SLOW COOKER NO-BEAN GROUND BEEF & BACON CHILI
or try any of my favorite SLOW COOKER MAIN DISHES.
Carrie Robinson says
What a great idea to make scorn squash in the slow cooker! 🙂
Dannii says
I love squash, but I never would have thought to cook it in the slow cooker like this. Such a great idea.
Lima Ekram says
Looks so delicious! Perfect side for my thanksgiving turkey!
Tatiana says
Always trying to make something new when acorn squash is in season. Love the recipe!
Toni says
It was a huge hit with my kids! Thanks for the recipe!