Caramelized, tender butternut squash serves as an edible vessel for a creamy, protein-rich filling made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese in this Farmer Cheese Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
Butternut Squash and Lifeway Farmer Cheese: Protein, Fiber, Probiotics, and More
If you think butternut squash is only destined for soups, think again. In this cozy, high-protein recipe, roasted squash halves are filled with our cultured farmer cheese for a balanced meal that’s packed with a savory autumn flavor. Butternut squash is rich with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, plus potassium, magnesium, and several B vitamins. Meanwhile, Lifeway Farmer Cheese contains live and active cultures to support gut health, and it’s an excellent source of protein with 15 grams per 1/2 cup serving. Its mild, versatile flavor works similarly to ricotta and cottage cheese, but is free of added salt, sugar, preservatives, or thickeners — just pure, creamy goodness that’s easy on digestion!
For an extra touch of something special, we dressed the butternut squash with Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter before baking for a touch of rich flavor. Our probiotic kefir butter is a European-style butter containing 82% butterfat, made with only real milk, cream, and Lifeway’s signature live kefir cultures. Learn more about Lifeway Kefir Butter here.
Combined, all these ingredients create one terrific, filling side to help you welcome in the colder weather while also nourishing your body. Want to make this for a large crowd? Simply double or triple the recipe to suit your crowd. Or, enjoy it as is on any weeknight for a light, filling meal your gut will love as much as you do!
Discover where to find Lifeway products in a store near you here.
Looking for more protein-rich, probiotic recipes? We’ve got plenty!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health, including vitamins D3, K, and B12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: 45 mins Servings: 2Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash, about 2 pounds
- 1 tbsp. Salted Kefir Butter
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, as needed
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- Garnishes: chopped pecans and chopped chives
- Serving ideas: roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts
Directions
- Heat oven to 400°F. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Transfer the squash to a baking sheet with the cut side facing up.
- Brush the cut side of the squash with the melted Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.
- Flip the squash cut side down onto the baking sheet and place in the oven. Roast until fork tender, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- While the squash is cooling, prepare the filling. To a small bowl, add the Lifeway Farmer Cheese, along with garlic powder, onion powder, a few cracks of fresh pepper, and salt to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
- While the squash is still warm, divide the Farmer Cheese evenly between the two butternut halves. Garnish each portion with chopped pecans and a bit of chopped parsley and enjoy right away.
- Serve this with roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts for a savory meal packed with seasonal flavors and nutrients!
