Description
Classic Old-Fashioned Apple and Cheese Casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to your kitchen. Sweet apples and melted cheese create a delightful harmony that warms hearts and satisfies hungry guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Slice apples and toss them gently with sugar, ground cinnamon, and fresh lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Layer half of the seasoned apple slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half of the shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over the initial apple layer.
- Create a second layer by adding remaining apple slices on top of the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the second apple layer.
- Crush crackers into fine crumbs and combine with melted butter until thoroughly mixed.
- Evenly scatter the buttery cracker crumbs across the entire casserole surface.
- Drizzle milk or heavy cream gently over the entire casserole to ensure moisture.
- Transfer to preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until cheese melts and top turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set and enhance flavors.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in the casserole.
- Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent layers throughout the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour crackers or crushed gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar or gouda to customize the flavor profile and add depth to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg