Leftover Turkey Sweet Potato Apple (Ready-to-Print Version)

Savory turkey combined with sweet potatoes, apples, and cheese for a warm, flavorful autumn bake.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

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

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
09 - 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
10 - 1 ½ 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a large casserole dish.
02 - Peel and cube sweet potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Peel and dice Gala apples into similarly sized pieces. Finely dice the onion.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add sweet potatoes and continue cooking 6-8 minutes until edges soften but centers remain firm.
04 - Stir in flour and cook 1-2 minutes to remove raw taste. Dissolve chicken bouillon in chicken broth and gradually add to skillet, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Add heavy cream, maple syrup, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper to sauce. Cook 3-4 minutes until thickened. Stir in diced apples to coat evenly.
06 - Spread shredded turkey evenly in casserole dish. Pour sweet potato, apple, and sauce mixture over turkey, leveling gently with a spatula.
07 - Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese across the top. Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 30–35 minutes until cheese bubbles and turns golden, and sweet potatoes are tender. Tent with foil if browning too fast during final 10 minutes.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest at least 10 minutes to allow sauce to thicken and slices to hold shape.

# Handy Tips:

01 - Roasting sweet potatoes beforehand enhances flavor and texture. Layering turkey at bottom prevents dryness and improves flavor integration.
02 - Add panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top during last 10 minutes for added crunch.
03 - Fresh herbs can replace dried sage and thyme using triple the amount for brighter flavor.
04 - Assemble casserole in advance and refrigerate up to 24 hours; add additional baking time if cold.
05 - Allow casserole to rest after baking for cleaner slicing and fuller flavor.

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