Leftover Turkey Sweet Potato Apple (Printer-Friendly Version)

Comforting turkey, sweet potato, and apple casserole with a creamy herb sauce and melted Gruyère topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 3 cups cooked shredded turkey

→ Vegetables and Fruits

02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
03 - 2 Gala apples, peeled and diced
04 - 1 small onion, diced

→ Dairy

05 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
06 - ½ cup heavy cream
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
09 - 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
10 - 1½ cups chicken broth
11 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
12 - ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
13 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
14 - ½ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large casserole dish.
02 - Peel and cube sweet potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Peel and dice Gala apples to match sweet potato size. Dice onion finely.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and cook for 6-8 minutes until edges soften but centers remain firm.
04 - Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. Dissolve chicken bouillon powder in chicken broth, then gradually add broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer. Stir in heavy cream, maple syrup, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens.
06 - Fold diced apples into sauce, ensuring even coating to prevent browning and initiate tenderizing.
07 - Spread shredded turkey evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Pour sweet potato, apple, and sauce mixture on top, leveling gently with a spatula without compressing layers.
08 - Sprinkle Gruyère cheese evenly over the assembled casserole. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly and sweet potatoes are tender.
09 - Allow casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes to thicken sauce and stabilize slices before serving.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For more flavor, roast sweet potato cubes at 425°F for 20 minutes before assembling.
02 - To prevent premature browning, tent casserole loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking if needed.
03 - Letting the casserole rest improves sliceability and flavor melding.
04 - Substitute Gruyère with sharp white cheddar for a different flavor profile.
05 - Replace heavy cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier and lighter final dish.
06 - Fresh herbs may be used in triple the quantity of dried for brighter notes.

Go Back