High-Protein Loaded Baked Potatoes Meet Butternut Squash is a creamy & delicious dish. It contains neutral oil, butternut squash, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, butter, sharp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, bacon, and scallions. This dish contains dairy items, so use the vegan substitute if required. These are very simple components that we can easily obtain from the supermarkets. This dish is prepared in 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it fast for dinner or lunch. High-Protein Loaded Baked Potatoes Meet Butternut Squash are served with garden salad, roasted broccoli, grilled chicken breast, and whole-grain dinner rolls. This dish stores nicely, so we can easily prepare it for meal prep. This dish contains 340 kcal and 12g protein in one serving.
STATS:
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Preparation Duration: Fifteen minutes
- Serving size: 1
- Cook time: 50 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Course: Main Course, Side Dish
- Diet: High-Protein, Gluten-Free
- Serving: 6
EQUIPMENT:
- Baking sheet
- Knife
- Parchment paper
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Fork
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tbsp. neutral oil
- 2 large butternut squash
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 slices cooked bacon
- 2 tbsp. scallions
INGREDIENT NOTES:
BUTTERNUT SQUASH:
Add the butternut squash to add a soft texture & naturally sweet taste to the dish. We have to choose the large and firm squash with long necks so they are easy to cut and provide a convenient shape for loading the toppings.
GARLIC POWDER:
Add the garlic powder to include the savory and garlicky taste in the dish. It distributes easily over the squash and will not add extra moisture.
CHEDDAR CHEESE:
Add the sharp Cheddar cheese to include the rich and cheesy taste in the dish. It will also melt beautifully over the roasted squash and make the topping more delicious.
SOUR CREAM:
Add the reduced-fat sour cream to make the topping cool and creamy. It will also balance the hot roasted squash while keeping the topping lighter.
BACON:
Add the cooked bacon to include the smoky and salty taste in the dish. Cook it until crispy, then chop it finely so it distributes equally in the dish.
SCALLION:
Add the fresh scallions to include color and a mild onion taste in the dish. They will also balance the rich taste of cheese, sour cream, and bacon.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First pre-warm the oven at 220° C & put the parchment on the tray.
- Rinse the butternut squash and dry it, then make equal vertical slices, then take out the seeds & stringy middle.
- Apply the oil to the sides of the squash and sprinkle the seasonings on it,
- Put the squash on the prepared baking tray and roast it for thirty-five to forty minutes till it gets tender.
- Now turn the squash over and brush the melted butter on it and sprinkle the garlic powder.
- Mash the squash gently and keep the shell intact, then divide the cheddar shreds equally in the squash halves.
- Add it to the oven and bake the dish for five to eight minutes till the cheese melts & bubbly.
- Include the sour cream, scallion slices, and bacon on top and serve.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
SALADS:
- Garden Salad
- Apple Arugula Salad
- Spinach Salad
VEGETABLES:
- Green Beans
- Garlic Asparagus
- Sautéed Spinach
PROTEIN:
- Herb-Roasted Chicken
- Turkey Meatballs
- Grilled Salmon
SOUPS:
- Tomato Soup
- Lentil Soup
- White Bean Soup
BREADS:
- Garlic Bread
- Cornbread
- Whole-Wheat Biscuits
TIPS:
- First, roast the squash till it gets properly soft, then add the cheese.
- Fry the bacon separately till it gets crisp, then drain properly.
- Serve the dish with turkey or grilled chicken to add more protein.
- Sprinkle the parsley or chives to make it more refreshing.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- First, wait for the dish to cool, then transfer it to the vessel and store it for three to four days.
FREEZER:
- Add the roasted squash in the vessel and freeze for two months. Add the sour cream & scallions when you are ready to serve.
FAQs:
Will I make the dish without the bacon?
- We can exclude the bacon or include the smoked tempeh, chickpeas, or turkey bacon.
Could I add the Greek yogurt instead?
- Yes, include the Greek yogurt instead to add extra protein to the dish.
Will I make the dish in advance?
- Yes, roast the squash in advance and store it, then include the cheese and topping when required.
Will I include any other topping in the dish?
- Yes, include the chives, tomatoes, parsley, black beans, and jalapeños to top this dish.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 340 kcal
Net carbs: 29 g
Serving: 1
Iron: 1.6 mg
Total carbs: 35 g
Vitamin A: 1,050 µg RAE
Fiber: 6 g
Calcium: 245 mg
Protein: 12 g
Sodium: 430 mg
Serving size: 1
Potassium: 940 mg
