Thanksgiving Stuffed Pumpkin

My sister and I devised this recipe when we were new vegetarians looking for a Thanksgiving main dish in place of turkey. It tastes great and makes a beautiful presentation. We even take the kids on a 'Pumpkin Hunt' in advance of Thanksgiving - so much more humane than a turkey hunt!

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 586 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup melted butter
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package herb seasoned stuffing mix
• 2 (14 ounce) bags frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
• 1 large sugar pumpkin, top removed, seeded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place the almonds in a skillet over medium heat, and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted.

Step 3

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion until tender.

Step 4

In a bowl, mix the onion, eggs, mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper. Scoop 1/3 of the mixture into the pumpkin. Layer with 1 cup cheese and 1/3 stuffing, and drizzle with 1/3 melted butter. Sprinkle with 1/3 toasted almonds. Repeat layers. Place pumpkin on a baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake pumpkin 1 hour, or until filling is hot and bubbly. Cover pumpkin with aluminum foil if it begins to brown.