Description

A comforting fall casserole made with roasted butternut squash and apples, savory Italian sausage, caramelized fennel and onion, and finished with melted Gruyere cheese for a dish that feels both rustic and elevated.

Ingredients

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cubed

2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and cubed

2–3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided

½ teaspoon dried ground sage

1½ teaspoons Herbes de Provence

½ pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

2 small fennel bulbs, thinly sliced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

Fresh sage leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil lightly misted with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash and apples with olive oil, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, dried sage, and Herbes de Provence.
Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender.
While roasting, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Cook the sausage until browned and cooked through, then transfer to a bowl.
In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and cook fennel and onion for 10–12 minutes until caramelized. Add to the sausage.
Switch oven to broil. Combine roasted squash and apples with the sausage mixture and remaining maple syrup. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Spoon mixture into a medium baking dish and top with grated Gruyere.
Broil for a few minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
Garnish with fresh sage leaves and serve warm.

Notes

This dish can be assembled a day ahead; add cheese just before broiling.

Fontina or Swiss cheese can be substituted for Gruyere.

Chicken or turkey sausage works well as a lighter option.

Vegetarian version can be made by omitting sausage and adding mushrooms.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Roasting & Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 65mg