James Martin Sausage And Apple Casserole

This easy and delicious Sausage and Apple Casserole from James Martin is a warm, comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Packed with savory vegan sausages, and tender apples, and topped with crispy filo pastry, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish that can be customized with your favorite ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

For the filling:

• 1 garlic bulb, top sliced off
• 2 leeks, trimmed and sliced into 3cm/1¼in semicircles
• 3 eating apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 3cm/1¼in chunks
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 vegan sausages, sliced into 2cm/¾in rounds
• 80g/2¾oz vegan cheese, grated
• 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

For the topping:

• 6 sheets filo pastry
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• Freshly steamed greens, such as Tenderstem broccoli, to serve

How To Make Sausage And Apple Casserole

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6 (or 400°F).
2. Prepare the filling: Drizzle the garlic bulb with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and wrap it in kitchen foil. Place the leeks, apples, and thyme into a 23x23cm/9x9in baking dish (or 9x9in/23x23cm baking dish), and nestle the garlic bulb in the middle. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture and roast for 20 minutes.
3. Add sausages: Stir the apple and leek mixture, and place the sliced vegan sausages on top. Return the dish to the oven for another 20 minutes or until the sausages are nicely browned.
4. Squeeze out the garlic: Carefully remove the foil from the garlic bulb, allow it to cool slightly, then squeeze the softened garlic cloves into the sausage mixture. Stir in the grated vegan cheese, wholegrain mustard, and freshly chopped parsley.
5. Make the topping: Brush each sheet of filo pastry with a little olive oil. Scrunch the sheets up and place them on top of the sausage mixture, covering it evenly.
6. Bake the topping: Return the casserole to the oven and cook for a further 10–15 minutes, until the filo pastry is golden and crispy.
7. Serve: Serve the casserole with freshly steamed greens, such as Tenderstem broccoli. Enjoy your comforting, flavorful meal!

Recipe Tips

• Use firm apples: Choose firm apples like Bramley or Granny Smith to prevent them from becoming too mushy during cooking.
• Crisp the filo pastry well: Brush each sheet of filo pastry with oil and scrunch it up to ensure it crisps up nicely in the oven.
• Roast the garlic properly: Make sure the garlic bulb is well-wrapped in foil and roasted until soft, as this gives the dish a sweet, mellow flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking dish: When adding the sausages and other ingredients, leave some space in the dish so everything cooks evenly and doesn’t get too soggy.
• Let the casserole cool slightly: After baking, let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving, so the flavors meld together.

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover casserole cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover it with a lid or cling film and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Reheat for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 494g)

• Calories: 341
• Total Fat: 6.4g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 1.43g
• Total Carbohydrate: 23g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 12.4g
• Protein: 16g

Try More James Martin Recipes:

• James Martin Smoked Haddock Risotto
• James Martin Steak And Kidney Pie
• James Martin Curried Parsnip Soup
• James Martin Brioche Bread And Butter Pudding