This ground turkey stuffed delicata squash embraces the absolute best of fall with its comforting and cozy flavors. It pairs a rich turkey mixture with velvety squash to create a homey and satisfying meal that’s bursting with gingery, herby goodness!

Baking sheet of stuffed delicata squash.

Squash becomes my obsession virtually every single fall. It’s sweet, tender, and caramelizes like a dream in the oven. And those crispy, browned edges? They’re the texture-packed cherry on top!

But what sets this particular squash recipe apart is what’s tucked inside. The ginger, herb, and veggie-loaded filling hits all the right notes with its savory and slightly zesty flavor profile. Plus, the baby spinach brings a pop of color and a boatload of iron to the mix! Talk about multi-tasking.

The whole thing comes together in under an hour and is incredibly easy to store or reheat. And you can even bulk things out with a winter salad or a brussel sprout salad for an extra dose of greens!

Regardless of what you serve it with, the sweet roasted squash and uber-savory turkey will make this your go-to fall dinner. I swear!

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Stuffed Delicata Squash

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to create the most delicious ground turkey stuffed delicata squash. The base recipe is fabulous, but I’ll offer a few customizations that you might want to try out for a different feel!

For the Roasted Delicata Squash

Delicata squash: Our showstopper! Delicata squash has a creamy and naturally sweet flavor that roasts beautifully without needing to peel the skin. It’s the perfect cozy boat for cradling your turkey as it’s filling and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Avocado oil: I love using this for roasting and sautéing as it has a high smoke point. Plus, it’s loaded with heart-healthy fats and a bunch of vitamin E for an easy hit of nutrition.

Sea salt: A simple sprinkle to taste.

For the Ground Turkey

Avocado oil: For sautéing!

Ground turkey: Lean ground turkey is protein-packed and keeps this dish satisfying without being too heavy. Perfect for absorbing all the aromatics and spices like a dream.

Medium zucchini squash: Zucchini stops your turkey from tasting too dry and brings a mild, earthy sweetness to the mix. It also helps build the volume of the dish while adding a pop of color!

Ginger: Warm, peppery, and zingy, ginger instantly lifts the overall flavor profile of your stuffed squash. I find it plays well with the other herbs and veggies. Plus, it aids digestion!.

Green onion: For a gentle bite without the intense savoriness of regular onions. They’re bright, fresh, and flavorful, and work so well with the leafy spinach.

Baby spinach: This ingredient wilts into the turkey mixture and adds a pop of green and a serious punch of extra nutrition. That’s right – it’s rich in iron and antioxidants!

Coconut aminos: This soy sauce alternative is loaded with umami flavor and is slightly sweet. It’s ideal for adding depth without any overpowering saltiness.

There’s also a subtle caramel note that deepens the natural flavor of the turkey. If you can’t find this ingredient, try tamari or low-sodium soy sauce instead (if you don’t need to be soy-free, of course!).

Dried oregano: Gives this recipe a warm and herby backbone that makes it taste oh-so-cozy.

Dried basil: A sweet, peppery note that brightens up the mixture.

Sea salt: Helps enhance all the flavors! Add black pepper to taste too.

Ground Turkey Stuffed Delicata Squash on a baking sheet fresh out of the oven.

Recipe Customizations

I made this a low-FODMAP recipe, but you can add 3 to 4 cloves of garlic or half a yellow onion to the turkey mix if you like!
Switch out the ground turkey for ground chicken, ground beef, ground pork, Italian sausage. Plant-based crumbles work great if you’re looking for a lighter or vegetarian option. Ground chicken has a milder flavor, while a well-seasoned plant-based crumble will still give you that hearty feel!
If you have a favorite squash, you can absolutely go for a different variety. Butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash all work great. Heck, you can even go for kabocha squash if you like!
To stretch your filling further, throw in quinoa or lentils for extra fiber and plant-based protein!
Cheese lover? Feel free to sprinkle with cheese and bake at 400 degrees until melted for a gooey adventure.
Drizzle your stuffed delicata squash with tahini or garlicky yogurt sauce. It’ll create a creamy, tangy topper that balances the richness of the filling.
Toss in your favorite fresh vegetables. Red bell pepper, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are excellent options. Fresh herbs like fresh parsley and fresh thyme work great too.

Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Stuffed Delicata Squash

Don’t skip roasting the squash until it’s fork-tender. You’ll want the flesh to be buttery soft and lightly caramelized. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Chop all your veggies before cooking. This should make the process smoother, but it’ll also prevent anything from overcooking while you’re dicing zucchini or peeling ginger.
Remember to taste as you go. Turkey can be a bit tasteless if it’s under-seasoned. So, feel free to add more herbs, salt, or ginger if you need.
Roast the squash cut-side down. It helps trap the heat and steam inside the squash, keeping the flesh creamy while letting the edges brown!
If you’re serving more than 3 or 4 people, consider doubling the recipe.

What Does It Taste Like?

This ground turkey stuffed delicata squash strikes the perfect balance between cozy and clean.

It’s warm and herby thanks to the spices, but the natural flavors of the squash bring a glorious, delicate sweetness to the mix.

The turkey is savory and satisfying but isn’t heavy, as it gets bright pops of flavor from the ginger and green onion. Oh, and don’t forget the umami goodness from the coconut aminos!

In short, this dish is like fall in a bowl – it’s grounded, well-balanced, and slightly fancy without trying too hard.

A nourishing must-try that’s totally going to fill the void (regardless of how hungry you are!).

How to Make Ground Turkey Stuffed Delicata Squash

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place delicata squash on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut the tips and tails off of the squash.

Two delicata squash cut into halves with the seeds facing up to expose the inside.

Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and innards with a metal spoon.

Drizzle squash with avocado oil (or high-temperature cooking oil of choice!). Use your hands to spread it all over the exposed flesh so that it is well-coated.

Delicata squash halves with seeds and insides scraped out, ready to roast in the oven.

Sprinkle the flesh with sea salt.

Place squash cut-side down on a large baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until squash is very soft when poked with a fork.

While your squash is cooking, add the avocado oil to a large skillet and heat to medium.

Once the oil is hot enough, place the ground turkey into the skillet and brown it. Just make sure you keep it in a brick as you’re cooking!

Cook the turkey for around 2 to 4 minutes until it’s nice and seared, then flip and continue to cook on the other side.

Use a spatula to break up the meat into smaller pieces, then add the chopped zucchini, ginger, and green onion.

Cover and cook the veggies and ginger for 2 to 3 minutes until the zucchini begins to soften. Then, add the remaining ingredients and cover for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach has wilted.

Stir everything well and continue cooking until the liquid has burned off. It’s usually around 3 to 4 minutes, but your mileage may vary!

Once the squash has finished roasting, generously stuff each half with the ground turkey mixture.

Serve and enjoy with your favorite salads or sides!

I love serving these stuffed delicata squash boats on their own. But if you’re feeling extra, it’s delicious with a Fall Harvest Salad or a Crunchy Kale Salad for a vitamin boost!

And if you’re looking for more, a drizzle of tahini sauce or a sprinkle of feta on top adds a chef-like finishing touch that makes the whole thing feel restaurant-worthy!

Leftovers store like a dream, too. Just put your stuffed squash in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven to bring those crisp edges back to life or just blast them in the microwave in short bursts!

Baking sheet with turkey stuffed delicata squash with spinach

Loaded with hearty protein and brimming with cozy fall flavors, this ground turkey stuffed delicata squash is bound to become a weeknight favorite.

Craving more healthy, squash-based meals that taste as good as they look? I’ve got you covered with these reader favorites.

More Winter Squash Recipes:

Enjoy this healthy meal the next time you’re craving winter squashes!