All the flavors of fall combine in this Butternut Squash Cranberry Skillet Meal Prep. It's like a deconstructed holiday meal, but better—and Whole30 friendly!
If you're thinking that this dish, with its cranberries, sausage, and butternut squash reminds you of Thanksgiving, you wouldn't be wrong. We are so digging this combination of flavors. They come together in one dish, but without all the extra Thanksgiving heaviness. Feed your soul with warmly spiced butternut squash with tart cranberries, along with Whole30 sausage.
Make this for a protein-packed breakfast meal prep or at home for an easy weeknight meal. It's honestly a comforting and filling meal for any time of day. Once it's all put together, this squash and cranberry skillet dish is so pretty to look at, what with all those colors, that serving it for Sunday brunch is a grand idea.
The combination of tart cranberries, sweet butternut squash, and savory sausage will keep your tastebuds happy.
Butternut Squash Cranberry Skillet Meal Prep Ingredients
- 4 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups cranberries
- 1 lb. sausage, sugar and nitrate free
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
How to Make Butternut Squash Cranberry Skillet Meal Prep
This comes together easily in just one skillet. Cook the cubed squash with the herbs and oil in a skillet until it begins to soften. Add in the cranberries and the sausage and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or so. (The cranberries will remain whole; they won't pop like they do when you make cranberry sauce!)
How to Store Butternut Squash Cranberry Skillet
Make it for breakfast for the family, or keep it strictly in meal prep territory. It's up to you. But it should keep in the fridge for 4 or 5 days. Reheat in a skillet with a little oil or in the microwave if desired. Another option would be to pop it into a 350 F oven, covered loosely in foil, and reheat for 15 minutes or so.
You can freeze this, too. Again, just make sure the container is airtight, or put it in a zip-close plastic bag that you've squeezed as much air out of as possible. Defrost in the microwave or overnight in the fridge, or in the oven in a casserole dish as described.
Substitutions and Alterations
- You can kick up the protein by adding in a couple of hard-boiled eggs if your macros require more of it.
- If you are out of squash feel free to use peeled and cubed sweet potatoes instead.
- Rosemary is a nice addition in terms of herbs, but it's not necessary.
- If you don't have nutmeg, substitute cinnamon instead.
- Any kind of sugar- and nitrate-free sausage works in this squash cranberry skillet dish, whether it's pork, chicken, or turkey. Your call!
Tips
This recipe works amazingly well as a base for a stuffing recipe! So, for those already planning their holiday menu, add this for a healthy dish at your table! Keep in mind, though, that cranberries are really tart; if you've never had them cooked before you're in for a treat.
READ MORE: Following Whole30? You Need 7 Days of Whole30 Breakfasts!
Ingredients
- 4 cups butternut squash cubed
- 2 cup cranberries fresh
- 1 pound sausage whole30 compliant, if needed
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- ½ tsp. sage
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- hard boiled eggs optional
Instructions
- Add extra virgin olive oil to a large skillet and bring to medium heat.
- Add butternut squash with nutmeg, sage and thyme. Stir to combine and cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Add cranberries and sausage to the pan. Cook another 5-7 minutes to desired tenderness.
- Transfer to a meal prep container and pair with hard boiled eggs.
Notes
Nutrition
Jen says
Can you use dried cranberries instead of fresh? Or another berry?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Jen, you can swap the fresh cranberries with anything you'd like. However, please keep in mind that this will change the nutrition of the recipe. We haven't tested this with dried cranberries (although I know it would be delicious!), but given the sweetness of dried fruit, I would probably use a much smaller amount. Please let us know how it turns out if you give it a try!
CHEYENNE WARREN says
IS THE CALORIE COUNT INCLUDING THE HARD BOILED EGGS?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Cheyenne! The macros do not include the hard-boiled eggs as those are listed as optional.