Baked Stuffed Pumpkins with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Cheese
These adorable stuffed pumpkins are packed with mushrooms, spinach, and cheese - then baked to a golden perfection. This makes the perfect vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving!
Use a sharp knife to remove the tops from each pumpkin. Scoop out the insides and discard them (or save the seeds for roasting!). Rub salt and pepper on the inside of the pumpkins.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and cook them for about 5 minutes, until they're softened. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook about 5 minutes more, or until the mushrooms are browned. Stir in the spinach and continue to cook until it wilts. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer the veggie mixture to a large bowl. Add the bread, cheese, nutmeg, and cream and stir until combined. Divide the the filling into the pumpkins, then place the top back onto them. Put the pumpkins on a baking sheet or baking dish that's been sprayed with oil or lined with parchment paper.
Bake the pumpkins for about an hour, then remove the tops and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until the filling is browned and crispy on top and the pumpkins are easily pierced with a knife. Replace caps and serve.
Notes
If you're not a fan of pumpkin in savory recipes, try kabocha, sweet dumpling, or acorn squash.Although I used Swiss cheese, just about any cheese would work in this.To make these in advance, prepare the pumpkins and sauté the vegetables up to a day ahead of time, then assemble the filling, stuff the pumpkins, and bake before serving.
Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!