This is a great recipe as the cooler weather starts to set in. It is easy and can be made during the week. If you would like this to be vegetarian you can sub out the sausage for anything!

Ingredients:

• 2 medium acorn squash, halved down the middle, seeds removed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 8 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1 large leek, white and light green parts only, halved and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 cups tightly packed torn kale
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs

Meal Prep:

1. Heat oven to 375°. Cut a thin slice off round side of each squash half to create a stable base. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and smoked paprika; coat with cooking spray.
2. Place squash flesh side down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil; bake until golden and tender, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; flip squash and set aside.
3. Heat broiler. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon oil. Add sausage; cook, breaking into coarse pieces, until brown, 6 minutes; transfer to a bowl.
4. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil and leek; cook until leek is soft, 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook, 30 seconds. Add kale and toss; add broth. Cover and cook until kale is tender, 5 minutes; stir in sausage.
5. Divide kale-sausage filling among squash. In a bowl, combine walnuts, Parmesan and panko; sprinkle evenly over squash bowls and coat with cooking spray.
6. Broil until panko is golden, 2 minutes.

Make it the best day!

-K