Paleo Sloppy Joe Stuffed Squash

Paleo Sloppy Joe Stuffed Acorn Squash is an easy, healthy meal that the entire family will love! Includes directions for the Instant Pot or Oven/Stove Top!

Has anyone else noticed the lack of delicata squash at the stores in Arizona?  It’s criminal. Delicata is my FAVORITE type of squash (taste like sweet cornbread).  I really wanted to update the photographs and republish this old stuffed delicata recipe with you, but I couldn’t find any delicata at Safeway, Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Trader Joes.  Am I missing something?

So instead, you are getting this recipe, which is just as well because I make it at least every other week in some form.  Just take your favorite ground meat (for the photographs I used ground chicken, but I’ve used turkey and beef as well) and mix it with sauteed onions and your favorite sloppy joe stuff.  (I use Delgrosso which I get at Sprouts.)

Then spread the whole thing over your favorite type of squash!  For this recipe, I did acorn squash, but I’ve also done this with spaghetti squash and the currently nonexistent delicata squash.  SERIOUSLY WHERE IS THE DELICATA PEOPLE?  WHERE IS IT?

I provided instructions below that allow you to use yourinstant pot/ pressure cooker or make it in the oven/stove top.  I’m not in the business of forcing anyone to buy an instant pot so that they can make my recipes. There is literally nothing super special about the IP.

You can make literally anything you want without buying one.  However, you know how I feel about dishes, and I love the instant pot because I can make so many more meals in one pot instead of cutting down on the number of dishes I deal with.  It’s worth it simply for that in my opinion!

No weekend recap today, my weekend was glorious and kind of sucked at the same time.  On Saturday I looked up the OTF workout, and the Reddit thread said that it was mostly upper body so I figured I’d be fine to go check it out.  (My SI/Hip/Low Back has been pissed since Chicago.)

However, when I got there, I realized it was lower body day and a stupid amount of squats.  I should have left, but let’s be honest, it isn’t surprising that I didn’t.  So, I spent the whole day icing my SI joint and hip while watching Friends.

I basically watched all of Rachel’s pregnancy and Emma’s birth.  Seriously, best show ever.  Sunday was a little better. I photographed some workout apparel for an upcoming post and some almond flour cinnamon rolls.  Which basically meant I ate almond flour cinnamon rolls for more than one meal!  So yea, kind of boring but probably so necessary to finally have a chill weekend after being so on the go with travel.

Paleo Sloppy Joe Stuffed Squash

Anyway, this is the perfect Monday night quick, easy meal!  Make in the IP or make it in the oven/stove top, it’s still super easy either way!  Let me know if you give it a try!  Have a good week!

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Paleo Sloppy Joe Stuffed Squash

Paleo Sloppy Joe Stuffed Acorn Squash is an easy healthy meal that the entire family will love! Includes directions for the Instant Pot or Oven/Stove Top!

Servings: 4

Author: Kelli Shallal MPH RD

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground meat chicken, turkey, or beef
• ½ sweet yellow onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 cup sloppy joe sauce I used DelGrosso
• 2 cups spinach optional
• 2 medium-size acorn squash cut in half
• optional garnish:  1 green onion sliced 

Instructions

Instant Pot Directions:

• As always, with the IP or any pressure cooker make sure you follow the manufacturer directions over anything in the recipe instructions.  Each IP and pressure cooker varies slightly, make sure you are aware of the differences and use precaution!
• Add 1 cup of water to IP, then place the steam rack inside.  Place the acorn squash halves on the steam rack face down.  Close the lid and set the valve to sealing.  Pressure cook squash for 5 minutes.  
• After it’s done pressure cooking and has switched to the warm cycle, quick release the steam by moving the steam valve to venting. (AGAIN, FOLLOW MANUFACTURER DIRECTIONS.)  Once the pressure is FULLY released you can remove the lid and the squash from the pan.  The squash will be VERY tender, in order to keep the skin on I had to use a spatula to get them out.  However, you are likely not taking photos and therefore don’t really need to worry about keeping the skin on. 
• Remove the steaming rack and drain the liquid from the Inner cooking pot. Now set the IP to Sauté, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil, garlic, and onion. Sauté until translucent and tender, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the ground meat to the mixture (add more oil if needed, I used lean ground chicken this time so I needed another tablespoon of oil) and cook sauté until fully cooked. If desired, add a few handfuls of spinach and let it wilt down while stirring frequently. Now add your sloppy joe sauce and mix until everything is well coated and hot.  Serve ¼ of the mixture of 1 acorn squash half. Oven/Stove Top Directions:
• Preheat your oven to 400F.  Spray each half of acorn squash with cooking spray and place face down on a baking sheet.  Bake for 20-30 minutes or until fork tender. 
• While the squash is cooking, add 1 tablespoon avocado oil, garlic, and onion to a large nonstick skillet. Sauté until translucent and tender, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the ground meat to the mixture (add more oil if needed, I used lean ground chicken this time so I needed another tablespoon of oil) and cook sauté until fully cooked. If desired, add a few handfuls of spinach and let it wilt down while stirring frequently. Now add your sloppy joe sauce and mix until everything is well coated and hot.  Serve ¼ of the mixture of 1 acorn squash half. 

Tried this recipe?I'd love to see what you made! Tag me @hungryhobbyRD or tag #hungryhobby if you try this recipe!

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