Cheesy Spinach & Artichoke–Stuffed Butternut Squash

Spinach & Artichoke–Stuffed Butternut Squash takes a classic party dip and turns it into a hearty vegetarian main dish! Antioxidant-rich butternut squash is roasted to creamy perfection and then stuffed with earthy artichokes, tender spinach and the dreamiest mix of creamy cheeses. The healthy fat from the extra-virgin olive oil and the mix of anti-inflammatory vegetables make a heart-healthy combo. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to use the entire butternut squash plus ingredient-prep reminders. 

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Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Serving this dish in squash shells is not only beautiful but also ideal for entertaining guests.
• Using softened cream cheese in this recipe allows for quicker and more even distribution of ingredients when mixing the filling.
• You can substitute frozen spinach for fresh baby spinach, but make sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess moisture to prevent adding extra liquid to the dish.
• Don’t forget that you can save the seeds from the butternut squash for roasting! Simply toss the seeds with oil and salt, then roast them in the oven at 325°F for about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Notes

• Butternut squash is a treasure trove of antioxidants. The orange color tells you that it is rich in beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and is a strong anti-inflammatory nutrient. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that are essential for maintaining healthy eyes. 
• Spinach is an excellent and easy way to fit important nutrients into a meal. Spinach contains a lot of water, so it cooks down and concentrates. Spinach contains a small amount of plant-based non-heme iron, which when added to other iron-rich foods, can enhance iron intakes. It also contains folate, a B vitamin that has been shown to be important in brain health and maintaining a healthy heart. 
• Artichokes contain two nutrients that are excellent for your heart. They have fiber, which is beneficial for your gut, but also helps to lower cholesterol. They also have potassium, which can help pull sodium out of your body, which may help lower your blood pressure naturally.  
• Cheese, while not often thought of as a healthy food, has some impressive nutrients worth noting. Most cheeses are a good source of calcium, with hard cheeses, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, containing more than soft cheeses like mozzarella—but don’t be mistaken, they both have an impressive amount of calcium. Calcium is often hailed for its role in bone health, which is important, but it is also essential for proper muscle contraction throughout the entire body, including the heart.