Sausage and Apple Pie (Three Cheeses)

cheesyapplesausagepie A perfect casserole for the apple season. Tart green apples baked with sweet Italian sausage in a pie crust, topped with Italian cheeses. This casserole pie combines sweet Italian sausage with tart green apples and a mix of cheeses.

1 basic pie dough recipe, rolled out and lining a 9- or 10” pie dish, or 8x8” baking dish, chilled (or 1 frozen pie crust)
2 large tart green apples, peeled and sliced ¼” thick
½ medium onion, chopped (~ ½ a cup)
1 tsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. butter
¾ lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups (8 oz) fontina, provolone and or Asiago cheese, freshly shredded
1 cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup feta cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4).

Pre-Bake the Pie Crust:
Line the inside of a pie shell with heavy aluminum foil, pressing against the dough on the sides. Fill all the way to the rim with pie weights (sugar or beans work well).

Bake for 35 minutes or until the crust begins to brown. (Sometimes store-bought frozen crusts do not require as much baking time as homemade crusts.)

Remove the pie crust from oven and let cool. Remove the foil and pie weights.

Cook the Apple and Onions:
Melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the apples, onions and sugar, cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.

In the last 30 seconds or so, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Transfer mixture to a separate bowl.

Cook the Sausage:
Add the Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring only infrequently, until sausage is cooked through. Remove from heat.

Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to a dish lined with paper towels to absorb the excess fat.

In medium sized bowl, mix together the cheeses and beaten eggs.

Layer sausage, apple mixture and cheese mixture in pie crust:
Place sausage on bottom of pre-baked pie crust. Add the cooked apple onion mixture over the sausage.

Pour the cheese egg mixture over the apple mixture and spread it so it evenly covers the pie.

Bake at 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4) for 35-40 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: Calories: 507 | Fat: 30g | Carbs: 39g | Protein: 23g