11 Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins

sausage and rice recipe

Selecting the Perfect Pumpkins

stuffed mini pumpkins recipe

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are a delightful fall dish that perfectly combines the flavors of savory sausage, fluffy rice, and aromatic seasonings, all packed into sweet, tender pumpkins. This dish not only makes a visually stunning presentation but also showcases the rich flavors of the season, making it ideal for family gatherings or festive occasions.

Ingredients Quantity
Mini pumpkins 4
Italian sausage 1 pound
Cooked rice 2 cups
Onion 1, chopped
Garlic 2 cloves, minced
Bell pepper 1, chopped
Diced tomatoes 1 can (14.5 oz)
Italian seasoning 2 teaspoons
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup
Fresh parsley For garnish

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the mini pumpkins and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until softened.
  4. Add the Italian sausage, cooking until browned. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
  5. Stuff each pumpkin with the sausage and rice mixture, pressing down lightly.
  6. Place the stuffed pumpkins in a baking dish with a little water at the bottom and cover with foil.
  7. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the pumpkins are tender. Remove foil, sprinkle with parmesan, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
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The Savory Sausage Filling

savory sausage rice stuffing

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins boasts a savory filling that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the pumpkins. The heart of this dish lies in the hearty combination of Italian sausage, flavorful vegetables, and aromatic herbs, all brought together to create a delicious and satisfying experience. This filling not only enhances the taste but also contributes to the overall comfort and warmth that fall dishes are known for.

Ingredients Quantity
Italian sausage 1 pound
Onion 1, chopped
Garlic 2 cloves, minced
Bell pepper 1, chopped
Diced tomatoes 1 can (14.5 oz)
Italian seasoning 2 teaspoons
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste

Cooking Steps:

  1. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers; sauté until softened.
  3. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
  5. Your savory filling is now ready to be used in the stuffed pumpkins!
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Cooking the Rice

cooking rice for stuffing

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are not only a delightful autumn dish, but they also bring a hearty, comforting flavor to the table. The rice component of the filling is essential for absorbing the savory flavors of the sausage and vegetables, creating a truly satisfying dish. Below, you’ll find the steps to properly cook the rice for your stuffing.

Ingredients Quantity
Long-grain white rice 1 cup
Water 2 cups
Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Cooking Steps:

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil.
  3. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water, stir once, then reduce the heat to low.
  4. Cover the saucepan and let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  5. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Your cooked rice is now ready to be combined with the savory filling for the stuffed pumpkins!
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Adding Flavorful Spices

flavorful sausage rice stuffing

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are a delightful autumn dish that celebrates seasonal flavors and ingredients. By incorporating a blend of flavorful spices, you can elevate the taste of your sausage and rice filling, making it even more aromatic and delicious. With warm, earthy notes, this stuffing will create a comforting and inviting experience for your taste buds.

Ingredients Quantity
Ground sausage 1 pound
Onion 1 medium, diced
Garlic 2 cloves, minced
Bell pepper 1 medium, diced
Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon
Paprika 1 teaspoon
Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
Cooked rice 1 cup

Cooking Steps:

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
  2. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for heat; cook for an additional minute to release the spices’ flavors.
  4. Remove from heat and combine the sausage mixture with the cooked rice; mix thoroughly.
  5. Your flavorful sausage and rice filling is now ready to be stuffed into the prepared pumpkins!
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Preparing the Pumpkins

stuffed pumpkins preparation instructions

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are not only visually appealing but also a hearty and satisfying dish that showcases the essence of autumn. The pumpkins serve as edible bowls, holding a savory combination of ground sausage, rice, and vegetables, making it a perfect centerpiece for a fall dinner.

Ingredients Quantity
Small pumpkins 4
Olive oil 2 tablespoons
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Water 1 cup
Foil For wrapping

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Carefully cut the tops off the small pumpkins and scoop out the seeds and stringy insides using a spoon.
  3. Brush the insides of the pumpkins with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Place the pumpkins on a baking sheet and pour 1 cup of water into the baking sheet to create steam.
  5. Cover the pumpkins loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
  6. Remove the foil and let the pumpkins cool slightly before stuffing them with the sausage and rice mixture.

Now your pumpkins are perfectly prepared for filling, ready to inspire with their aromatic and delicious stuffing!

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Combining Ingredients

sausage rice pumpkin stuffing

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins make for a wonderfully comforting dish that brings together the flavors of seasoned sausage, fluffy rice, and a medley of vegetables. This delicious stuffing is hearty and fulfilling, making it a great choice for a cozy fall meal. After preparing the pumpkins, it’s time to combine your flavorful ingredients and create the delightful filling that will complete this autumn-inspired recipe.

Ingredients Quantity
Ground sausage 1 pound
Cooked rice 2 cups
Onion 1, chopped
Bell pepper 1, chopped
Garlic 2 cloves, minced
Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon
Grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup
Fresh parsley ¼ cup, chopped
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste

Cooking Steps:

  1. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté until softened.
  2. Add the ground sausage to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula.
  3. Stir in the cooked rice, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, mixing until well combined. Remove from heat and fold in the chopped parsley.
  4. Your stuffing is now ready to be added to the prepared pumpkins!
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Stuffing the Pumpkins

stuffed pumpkins for autumn

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are a delightful and visually appealing dish that encapsulates the essence of fall. These small pumpkins serve as edible bowls filled with a hearty mixture of seasoned sausage, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables, making them not only delicious but also a festive centerpiece for your autumn table. Stuffing the pumpkins is a fun and straightforward process that will have your kitchen smelling wonderful.

Ingredients Quantity
Prepared pumpkins 4 medium
Stuffing mixture As prepared

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Carefully scoop out the insides of the prepared pumpkins, ensuring you create enough space for the stuffing while leaving the walls intact.
  3. Spoon the sausage and rice mixture generously into each pumpkin, packing it lightly.
  4. Place the stuffed pumpkins upright in a baking dish, adding a splash of water to the bottom of the dish for moisture.
  5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the pumpkins are tender and the tops are lightly browned. Enjoy!
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Baking to Perfection

stuffed pumpkins baked perfectly

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins are a charming and hearty dish that brings the season’s bounty to your table. These individual pumpkin bowls are filled with a savory blend of sausage, seasoned rice, and a medley of colorful veggies, making them a perfect choice for a fall feast. Once stuffed, the pumpkins are baked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld while the pumpkins become tender and slightly caramelized.

Ingredients Quantity
Medium pumpkins 4
Ground sausage 1 pound
Cooked rice 2 cups
Diced bell pepper 1
Chopped onion 1
Minced garlic 3 cloves
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Grated cheese 1 cup
Fresh parsley (for garnish) Optional

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the sausage and vegetables in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture with rice, salt, pepper, and cheese.
  4. Stuff the mixture into each hollowed-out pumpkin, packing it lightly.
  5. Place the stuffed pumpkins in a baking dish with a splash of water, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the pumpkins are tender and golden-brown. Enjoy your delicious fall dish!
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Serving Suggestions

sausage stuffed pumpkin delight

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins make for a delightful centerpiece for any fall gathering, combining the earthy sweetness of pumpkins with a savory filling. These individual servings are not just visually appealing but also offer a comforting medley of flavors that are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients Quantity
Medium pumpkins 4
Ground sausage 1 pound
Cooked rice 2 cups
Diced bell pepper 1
Chopped onion 1
Minced garlic 3 cloves
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Grated cheese 1 cup
Fresh parsley (for garnish) Optional

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook sausage and vegetables in a skillet until browned and tender.
  3. Mix the sausage mixture with rice, salt, pepper, and cheese in a bowl.
  4. Stuff the mixture into the hollowed pumpkins gently.
  5. Place in a baking dish with water, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until tender and golden-brown.
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Customizing Your Stuffed Pumpkins

customize stuffed pumpkin filling

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins is a versatile and delicious dish that can be customized to suit various tastes and dietary preferences. Not only do they make for an impressive presentation, but you can also tweak the filling by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices to create your own unique flavor combination.

Ingredients Quantity
Medium pumpkins 4
Ground sausage 1 pound
Cooked rice 2 cups
Diced bell pepper 1
Chopped onion 1
Minced garlic 3 cloves
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Grated cheese 1 cup
Optional vegetables (e.g., mushrooms, spinach, zucchini) As desired
Fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary) Optional
Alternative proteins (e.g., ground turkey, beans) As desired

Cooking Steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and any optional vegetables until browned and tender.
  3. Combine the cooked sausage mixture with rice, salt, pepper, cheese, and any fresh herbs in a mixing bowl.
  4. Stuff the mixture into the hollowed pumpkins, pressing gently to pack the filling.
  5. Place the stuffed pumpkins in a baking dish with water to prevent burning, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the pumpkins are tender and the tops are golden-brown; serve warm.

Enjoying Leftovers: Creative Ideas

creative leftover meal ideas

Sausage & Rice Stuffed Pumpkins make for a delightful fall dish that not only impresses at the dinner table but also provides fantastic leftovers for the following days. Instead of wasting any of the delicious filling, you can get creative with the remains. These stuffed pumpkins can be transformed into a variety of meals, from savory breakfast scrambles to hearty soups, ensuring that every bite is just as enjoyable as the first.

Ingredients Quantity
Leftover stuffed pumpkins As needed
Eggs (for scrambles) 2 per serving
Chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups
Additional vegetables (e.g., spinach, tomatoes) As desired
Shredded cheese 1 cup
Fresh herbs (for garnish) Optional

Cooking Steps:

  1. For breakfast scrambles, scoop out the filling from the leftover pumpkins, and sauté in a skillet with beaten eggs until cooked through; top with cheese and serve.
  2. For soup, blend the leftover stuffing with chicken or vegetable broth until smooth, then heat it up and add any additional vegetables; serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs.

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Hi! I’m Emily. I’m a cozy‑kitchen tinkerer turning everyday ingredients into crave‑worthy plates—quick sizzles, bright flavors, and zero fuss, always with a smile. Playlist on, whisk in hand, I chase comfort that tastes a little sparkly and a lot homemade—playful, practical, and unapologetically delicious.