Sausage & Apple Cornbread Bake

Name: Sausage & Apple Cornbread Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound bulk pork sausage; 4 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced (about 4 cups); 1 package (8-1/2 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix; 1/3 cup 2% milk; 1 large egg; Maple syrup

I make a corn bread-style bake with sausage, maple syrup and apples when we want a hearty breakfast. It’s sweet, savory and easy to make. —Stevie Wilson, Fremont, Iowa

Ingredients

1 pound bulk pork sausage
4 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced (about 4 cups)
1 package (8-1/2 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix
1/3 cup 2% milk
1 large egg
Maple syrup

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Top with apples.
In a small bowl, combine muffin mix, milk and egg just until moistened. Pour over apples. Bake, uncovered, until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup.
Make-Ahead: Refrigerate unbaked casserole, covered, several hours or overnight. To use, preheat oven to 400°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with syrup.