Pork Sausage Stuffed Apples

These delicious homemade Pork Sausage Stuffed Apples are the ultimate sweet and savory bite! They're easy to make, and absolutely packed with flavor.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Calories: 260kcal

Author: Briana

Ingredients

4 medium apples halved lengthwise (used something firm and sweet, like honeycrisp, or braeburn)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
1 small yellow onion diced
1 stalk celery diced
1.5 teaspoons kosher salt divided
Reserved apple pieces from hollowing out the insides minced
6 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme minced
1 tablespoon fresh sage minced
½ teaspoon black pepper diced
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional and to taste
1 pound ground pork or sausage (could substitute ground turkey or chicken instead)
2 ounces parmesan cheese freshly grated
Honey, fried sage, thyme, parmesan, pepper, sea salt for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment. Core the apples, & remove seeds in the middle. Remove apple flesh from the center, leaving about a ½ inch “shell” on the apple. Cut a small piece of the apple off the back of it so it can lay flat. Dice the apple flesh and set it aside.
4 medium apples halved lengthwise
⁣To a hot skillet, melt butter, then add onion, and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, then add in apple pieces with garlic, sage, thyme, nutmeg and red pepper flakes. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣, 1 small yellow onion, 1 stalk celery, 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, Reserved apple pieces from hollowing out the insides, 6 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon fresh sage, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
After the mixture has cooled, add to a large mixing bowl with ground pork, parmesan cheese, and the remaining salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Separate the pork mixture into 8 equal-sized balls, and place in the hole in the center of the apples. (Each pork meatball should weigh about 3.25 ounces).
1 pound ground pork or sausage, 2 ounces parmesan cheese
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until pork reads at least 160°F inside. Garnish with a drizzle of oil, honey, flakey sea salt, fresh pepper, thyme, fried sage, & parmesan. That’s it! Enjoy! ⁣
Honey, fried sage, thyme, parmesan, pepper, sea salt for garnish (optional)
Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days. We don't recommend freezing these.

Notes

Each serving is 1 half of an apple for an appetizer size!
Use firm yet sweet apples. Make sure your apples will stand up well to roasting before making this recipe. Also, you'll want to make sure they aren't too tart, but more on the sweet side. You'll need some natural sweetness in this dish for best results. We'd recommend using an apple like honey crisp or Pink Lady.

Cut a slice off the back of the apple. This will ensure the apples lay flat while they are in the oven. Chop up the extra bit of apple and saute it with the aromatics!

Don't overcook the pork. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F before taking it out of the oven, but don't cook it for too long after that. You want the meatballs to retain their juices, as well as allow the apple to hold up well.

Nutrition