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Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling

Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling balances caramelized, tender squash with a nutty, chewy farro center studded with maitake mushrooms, cranberries, and toasted pecans. Hints of Riesling, thyme, and a touch of balsamic add brightness and depth for a hearty, plant-forward main course. Serve it for a cozy fall dinner or a festive holiday table when you want something warm and satisfying.

  • Prep30 mins
  • Cook45 mins
  • Serves6
  • DifficultyMedium
Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling

easyChef Pro health score

Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.

54 Health Score
Glycemic ImpactFair
55 / 100
Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
Nutritional DensityPoor
27 / 100
Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
Energy DensityGood
92 / 100
Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
2 / 4
Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.

How it scores for each health goal

The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.

67
Heart Health
79
Metabolic
55
Digestive
35
Inflammatory
33
Performance
55
General Wellness
  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an extra-large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

  2. 2

    Cut each squash in half, slicing through the stems and blossom ends; remove the seeds. Prick the skin with a paring knife. Brush 1 tablespoon oil on the cut sides; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Arrange the squash, cut-sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.

  3. 3

    Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

  4. 4

    Rinse and drain the farro; transfer to a saucepan. Stir in the broth and 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low; simmer, covered, until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain any excess broth.

  5. 5

    Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms; cook until the onion is translucent and the mushrooms are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the wine; cook and stir until reduced by half, about 30 seconds.

  6. 6

    Add the cranberries and thyme; cook and stir until the cranberries are plumped, about 4 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprig. Stir in the cooked farro, pecans, and parsley; season with balsamic vinegar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Spoon the farro mixture into the squash halves. Keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.

About This Recipe

Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling is made with 14 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Acorn Squash, Balsamic Vinegar, Black Pepper, and Chopped Pecans. Each serving provides about 348.11 kcal, and is a good source of fiber.

Recipe Questions

What is Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling made of?
The main ingredients are Acorn Squash, Balsamic Vinegar, Black Pepper, Chopped Pecans, Dried Cranberry. The full list of 14 is above.
How long does it take to make Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling?
About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 348.11 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 14 ingredients and 6 steps.
Is Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling healthy?
Baked Acorn Squash with Farro Filling has an easyChef Pro health score of 54/100. Per serving, it provides 348.11 calories and 7.81 g of protein, or 16% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, potassium and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 306.76 mg (13% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 1.64 g (8% of the Daily Value). It contains Tree Nuts, Wheat, Gluten, Onions and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.

How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products

easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.

The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.

Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.

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