20 of the best healthy casserole recipes! From breakfast, chicken, beef, and vegetable, you’ll love these casserole recipes for a hearty and comforting dinner.
Can I get a heck yes for casserole season?! To be honest, I had no idea what a casserole was until a few years ago. I grew up in the northeast and it just wasn’t something that my mom made us for dinner.
But now that I know what they are, I absolutely love them. A hot and comforting dish with everything all nestled together, they are perfection. They really are an easy way to put together a meal without having to overthink it.
However, there are so many amazing casserole recipes out there that we wanted to round up some of our favorites.
Enjoy 20 of the best healthy casserole recipes to help inspire you. Broken down by breakfast, chicken, beef, turkey, and veggie, you are sure to find one you love!
Why we love healthy casserole recipes
- super hearty, absolutely delicious, and totally hits the spot when craving comfort food!
- a healthy dinner option – most casseroles are usually full of protein, vegetables, carbs, and healthy fats, making them a complete well-balanced meal.
- great for meal prep – perfect to make at the beginning of the week and enjoy throughout the week. They can also be frozen to be made at another time.
- leftovers – they make a lot and we usually have leftovers for easy meals the following days
What makes a casserole?
A casserole refers to a one-dish meal that is baked in the oven in a large deep dish. As it cooks, the ingredients bake together into a signal dish. They range from hearty full meals from breakfast to dinner, to also side dishes like the classic sweet potato casserole.
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to make a casserole. And that’s the beauty of them. That being said, here are some key components to building a casserole:
- protein – any kind you like! Some favorites are chicken, ground beef, turkey, tuna, eggs (for a breakfast casserole), or even beans.
- carbs or starch – not all casseroles contain starches, but a lot do. Things like rice, pasta, or starchy veggies like potatoes or squash are common.
- veggies – the more the merrier for me! Anything from zucchini, broccoli, peppers, onions, spinach, and more.
- binder or cooking liquid – anything from broth, water, milk, soup, or eggs to help the ingredients hold together.
- cheese – of course optional, but makes a delicious addition to many casseroles.
Are casseroles healthy?
Casseroles can be a great healthy meal. But, since their ingredients can be so varied, it will depend on how they are made and what is in them. When making or looking for a healthy casserole recipe, look for ones with protein, a decent amount of vegetables, some carbs, and healthy fats. That way you will have a well-balanced meal.
Can you freeze casseroles?
Most casseroles make great freezer-friendly dishes. To freeze, simply make them according to the directions and let them cool completely. You can either freeze the whole dish as-is or cut it into individual pieces and freeze it separately. Casseroles should last up to 3 months in the freezer.
When ready to eat, let defrost in the fridge or on the counter. Either bake it to warm through (if whole) or if you have an individual piece, bake it or microwave it.
Healthy breakfast casserole recipes
Sweet potato breakfast casserole packed with sausage, sweet potatoes, onion, and peppers and seasoned with classic southwestern flavors. Make it for a comforting brunch or meal prep to have on hand for the week. Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
Simple egg casserole (egg bake) is an easy, healthy breakfast casserole that uses only 9 ingredients (eggs, veggies, bacon, cheese, and spices). It’s a healthy, low-carb way to start the day!
Buffalo chicken breakfast casserole made with eggs, chicken, buffalo sauce, and veggies. A perfect protein-packed and healthy breakfast and great for meal prep. Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, Whole30, and low-carb.
Egg casserole with hash browns is perfect for a crowd or brunch. Packed with protein and veggies to start the day off strong, and easy to make.
Healthy chicken casserole recipes
Chicken fajita casserole loaded with seasoned chicken, rice, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and melted cheese. Makes a delicious and hearty complete meal made in one pan that the whole family will love!
Healthy buffalo chicken casserole takes your favorite aspects of buffalo chicken and packs it into a warm and comforting healthy casserole recipe. Loaded with shredded chicken, rice, veggies, and a delicious buffalo sauce and then topped with shredded cheese. It makes a delicious and hearty one-pan recipe that is ready in 30 minutes perfect for dinner or for a party!
Jalapeño popper chicken casserole combines your favorite aspects of jalapeños poppers and packs them into a warm and comforting healthy casserole recipe. Loaded with shredded chicken, jalapeños, veggies, and lightened-up with a mix of cream cheese and greek yogurt, and then topped with shredded cheese and crushed pretzels. It makes a delicious and hearty one-pan recipe perfect for dinner, as a dip, or for a party!
Chicken broccoli rice casserole is a healthy, cheesy, and easy recipe that will please everyone at your table. The flavors are simple but delicious, the prep is easy, and unlike many other casserole recipes, this casserole contains no soup!
Healthy ground beef casseroles
Chili spaghetti squash casserole combines all of your favorite chili ingredients like ground beef, black beans, peppers, onions, and tomatoes into one delicious and comforting baked spaghetti squash casserole. This healthy casserole recipe is great for a satisfying meal, and is also gluten-free and low-carb!
Stuffed bell pepper casserole takes classic stuffed peppers and turns it into a healthy casserole. Made in one pan with 10 ingredients, and ready in under an hour for a healthy dinner.
Beef taco casserole combines all of your taco favorites into one healthy and comforting beef taco casserole! Made with just 10 simple ingredients, this taco casserole recipe is great for a satisfying meal, meal prep, and is also paleo and Whole30 approved!
Spicy southwest butternut squash casserole is savory, spicy, wholesome, and perfect for a quick and easy dinner! Made with simple ingredients, this make-ahead meal can be made entirely in a casserole dish and is bursting with flavor. Healthy comfort food that the entire family will love!
Healthy ground turkey casserole recipes
Ground turkey spaghetti squash casserole combines ranch dressing, ground turkey, kale, onion, and spaghetti squash and is baked in the oven until crispy and golden brown. This turkey casserole is full of protein and healthy fats, is great for meal prep, and is paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30-approved.
Ground turkey pasta bake is a healthy casserole with ground turkey meat, whole wheat pasta, kale, and a light sprinkling of bubbly melty cheese. This is an easy restaurant-quality dinner made with kitchen staples!
Cheesy eggplant casserole layers eggplant with protein-rich turkey and mozzarella. The best part is it bakes up in 30 minutes for the ultimate healthy comfort food.
Turkey, zucchini, & rice casserole makes an easy dinner packed with lean protein and vegetables. Great to make ahead and ready in under an hour.
Healthy vegetarian casseroles
Chipotle black bean roasted veggie enchilada casserole with layers of vegetables snuggled between black beans, corn tortillas, a homemade chipotle enchilada sauce, and cheese. This easy vegetarian enchilada casserole is protein-packed and makes the perfect weeknight dinner for a family!
Cheesy pesto broccoli quinoa casserole is creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Gluten-free and plenty filling, enjoy this vegetarian casserole for a meatless dinner or make-ahead lunch.
White bean casserole is made with toasted bread, fire-roasted tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning to create a uniquely delicious meal! It’s a great way to use up day-old bread.
Vegan chili cornbread casserole with hearty vegetarian chili topped with cornbread, this cozy casserole is the perfect meal to feed a crowd! Comfort food at its finest. Vegan and gluten-free option.
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
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