Fall Sweet Potato and Sausage Casserole Recipe
This Fall Sweet Potato and Sausage Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for cozy autumn nights. Featuring layers of tender sweet potatoes, spicy sausage, cinnamon-coated apples, and crunchy pecans, all topped with melted cheddar cheese, this casserole blends sweet and savory elements beautifully. The recipe combines simple ingredients transformed into a hearty baked dish that highlights the deliciousness of fall flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes and Sausage
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1 lb spicy sausage, removed from casings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Apples and Toppings
- 2 medium apples, cored and sliced
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- 1 pinch salt, divided
- 1 pinch black pepper, divided
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Parboil Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully add the sweet potato slices and parboil for about 8 minutes, until they are just tender but still hold their shape. Drain and set them aside.
- Cook Sausage: While the sweet potatoes are cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the spicy sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Apples: Slice the apples into thin wedges. Toss them with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and a splash of olive oil to coat evenly.
- Assemble Layers: Place half of the parboiled sweet potatoes at the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked sausage, followed by the caramelized apples, and sprinkle with a handful of chopped pecans. Repeat these layers once more.
- Add Cheese and Pecans: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer. Scatter the remaining pecans on top for added crunch.
- Bake: Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to enhance browning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to settle and intensify the flavors.
Notes
- You can customize this recipe by adding other fall vegetables like Brussels sprouts for extra depth and nutrition.
- For a sweeter note, try adding a dash of maple syrup to the apple mixture before layering.
- Serve this casserole with a simple green salad to round out the meal.
Keywords: casserole, comfort food, fall, sausage, sweet potatoes
