Apples and sweet turnips cooked in a creamy bechamel sauce and topped with cheesy breadcrumbs: The comfort-food way to eat your winter veggies. ~ by Serena Ball, MS,RD
So if you’re not jetting off to some tropical location, hopefully you’re hunkering down for a cozy week of chilling out with the kids. At our house, that means playing games; two new favorites just happen to be food-themed and are hilarious: Bugs in the Kitchen and Toasted or Roasted – The S’mores card game. But even if you’re not sitting in front of the fireplace, there’s a lot of reasons to be serving up casseroles all winter long. Not the least of which is they are super-convenient and healthy and exceedingly kid-friendly.
Now casseroles occasionally get a bad rap as gluey and gloppy, passé (as in originating from 60’s cookbooks)– or rather unhealthy. However, as a dietitian (who grew up on casseroles!) I say they are:
Fresh and seasonal – Yes, root veggies are in season right now. Turnips, rutabagas, potatoes and parsnips that have been grown locally can still be found in most parts of the country.
Possibly retro, but definitely hip – With chefs crafting new and fresh flavors on winter comfort food, casseroles are ultimately on the menu. And we food bloggers know casseroles are some of our most popular posts.
Totally healthy – Using a bit of butter, oil or bacon provides fat – and it’s this fat that allows the body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K that are found in vegetables. Plus, once covered in a light cheese sauce, toasted breadcrumbs or the following easy-bechamel sauce, veggies have a greater chance of getting eaten.
So for healthy, cozy casseroles recipes, check out:
Wasabi Crab Casserole – My family’s New Year’s Eve tradition
Sweet Potato & Kale Mac & Cheese with Sage Breadcrumbs via Foodie Dietitian
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Tofu and Cauliflower Crust via Uproot from Oregon
Spaghetti Squash & Chorizo Casserole via Runnin Srilankan
Turkey Enchiladas via Hungry Hobby
Pasta Carbonara Frittata via Craving Something Healthy
PrintTurnip Roasted Apple Bake
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Apples and sweet root vegetables cooked in a cider-spiked creamy bechamel sauce and topped with cheese breadcrumbs: The comfort-food way to eat your winter veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds turnips, rutabagas, parsnips carrots or combination, peeled, diced in 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 large apples (unpeeled) cored, diced in 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1 small sweet or yellow onion, sliced in very thin rings
- Bechamel:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 large fresh thyme sprig (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Topping:
- 1 1/2 pieces whole wheat sandwich bread, toasted then crumbled
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 1/3 cup walnut pieces, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated white sharp Cheddar cheese, I used Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine turnips (and optional other veggies), apples, cider, onion and 1 cup water in a large saucepan. Heat to a boil over medium-high heat; cover and reduce heat to simmer until turnips are tender-crisp, about 15 minutes.
- Set a colander over a large measuring cup. Drain the turnip-apple mixture, reserving cooking liquid. Transfer the turnip mixture to the baking dish.
- For the bechamel, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute more. Stir in apple cider vinegar; whisk until the mixture is smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cider in 1/2 cup increments, whisking after each addition. When all the cider is incorporated, use your fingers to strip most of the thyme leaves from sprig; add the thyme leaves set aside sprig. Cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the turnips and apples in the baking dish, stirring the mixture to make sure the sauce is evenly distributed. Nestle thyme sprig in middle of dish.
- In a medium bowl, toss together breadcrumbs, butter, walnuts and Cheddar. Scatter mixture over the top of the turnip-apple mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, until the topping is browned and the turnip mixture is bubbly, 20-30 minutes.
Notes
This recipe was adapted from Cider-braised turnip and apple gratin via the Chicago Tribune
Do you have a comfort food casserole favorite? What are you doing this week- hopefully on vacation!?
Rachael @ Cabot Cheese
Monday 12th of January 2015
This looks so wonderful. I love the combination of root veggies and apples, and a nice white sauce? perfection.
Serena Ball
Tuesday 13th of January 2015
I HAVE to buy more turnips soon Rachael. This was one of the best things I've made all year!! Of course the cheese had SOMETHING to do with it...
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
Wednesday 31st of December 2014
I am so intrigued by your combination of root veggies and apples in a Bechamel sauce - wow! This woud be comfort food for me a I adore root veggies! And, thank y'all so very much for including my casserole in yall's line up! Happy, happy New Year!!! xxs
Serena Ball
Friday 2nd of January 2015
And with a fancy name like Bechamel...it should be hard. But I'm sure you know, it's simple Shashi! Happy New year!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon
Monday 29th of December 2014
I love when root vegetables are in just for this reason- and then I can have a whole pan to eat from for the week! Thanks for including my recipe in your links. The apple in your casserole sounds like a great way to give the dish a sweet note!
Sues
Sunday 28th of December 2014
What a delightful looking casserole! SO cozy and delicious :)
Serena Ball
Monday 29th of December 2014
Sues...cozy is the word. The contrast of creamy sauce and crunchy breadcrumbs...plus, well, ANYTHING cheesy = cozy!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
Saturday 27th of December 2014
I LOVE a good casserole with lots of leftovers and easy clean up! Thanks for including mine in this roundup, and looking forward to trying yours :)
Serena Ball
Sunday 28th of December 2014
Great points - especially the easy clean-up Anne! I'm all for that!