Pumpkins are a staple of the fall season. Whether you’re carving them up for Halloween or using them in your favorite recipes, pumpkins are the ultimate seasonal ingredient.

In this recipe, we’re turning the humble pumpkin into a show-stopping centerpiece, filled with savory sausage and delicious vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized pumpkin
• 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried thyme

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Start by washing the pumpkin and scooping out the seeds and pulp. Set it aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
4. Remove the sausage from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
5. Sauté the bell pepper and onion in the same skillet until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes.
7. Stir in the cooked sausage, rice, chicken broth, salt, pepper, basil and thyme. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
8. Place the pumpkin in a baking dish and fill it with the sausage and rice mixture.
9. Cover the pumpkin with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
10. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the pumpkin is soft and the stuffing is browned.
11. Let the pumpkin cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe makes a great main dish for a fall dinner party. Serve it with a simple green salad and some freshly baked crusty bread for a complete meal. Don’t forget to scoop out some of the pumpkin flesh to mix in with the stuffing!.

Related Article The recipe of the day: Vegan Pumpkin Stuffed with Quinoa

Variations

There are endless variations you can make on this recipe, depending on your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas:.

• Substitute the sweet Italian sausage for spicy sausage or ground beef.
• Add some chopped mushrooms to the vegetable mixture.
• Use wild rice instead of white rice.
• Top the stuffing with some grated Parmesan cheese before baking.

Conclusion

This stuffed pumpkin recipe is sure to impress your guests and make your fall dinners extra special. With a hearty filling of sausage, vegetables and rice, this dish is as delicious as it is beautiful.

Experiment with your own variations and enjoy your pumpkin creation!.