Description
Homemade old-fashioned apple and cheese casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending sweet fruits with rich dairy. Warm spices and golden crust invite you to savor this classic comfort dish that whispers memories of family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) crushed Ritz crackers (or butter crackers)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent browning)
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a 9×9-inch baking vessel with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Slice apples into uniform thin wedges, ensuring consistent cooking. Delicately coat the apple pieces with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and a splash of fresh lemon juice to enhance flavor and prevent browning.
- Create the first foundation layer by arranging half of the seasoned apple slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese to create a rich, savory blanket over the fruit.
- Mirror the previous layer by adding the remaining apple slices atop the initial cheese layer. Repeat the cheese distribution, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy elements.
- Transform crisp crackers into delicate crumbs by crushing them into fine particles. Merge the cracker fragments with melted butter, creating a golden, textured topping mixture.
- Evenly scatter the buttery cracker crumbs across the apple and cheese landscape. Gently stream milk or heavy cream over the entire casserole, ensuring complete moisture distribution.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, watching for a bubbling surface and enticing golden-brown coloration.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest and settle for 5-10 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and the texture to stabilize before serving.
Notes
- Select tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in the casserole.
- Adjust the cheese quantity based on personal preference, using sharp cheddar for more intense flavor or mild for a gentler taste.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
- Reduce sugar content by using baking stevia or a sugar alternative for a lighter, diabetic-friendly dessert option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg