Casseroles get a bad rap for being calorie bombs (or tasting like watered-down mush). But they’re actually a dream meal because you can prep them on a Sunday and enjoy them all week long. Here, 30 healthy casseroles that won't disappoint.
30 Healthy Casseroles That Will Keep You on Track
1. Leek, Kale And Goat Cheese Strata
A strata is a baked dish of eggs, bread and cheese. You'll know it's done when the creamy custard turns golden in the oven. Have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We won't judge.
2. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni And Cheese
Why should regular pasta have all the fun? Cauliflower florets join noodles in this veggie-packed dish, bringing you both nutrition and ooey-gooey cheese in every bite. Sounds like the best of both worlds to us.
3. Gruyere And Asparagus Potato Noodle Casserole
This pretty side is gluten-free and vegetarian. Plus, you'll get to make your own potato noodles. Any excuse to use the spiralizer. (But if you don't have one, a cheese grater works fine.)
4. Healthier Green Bean Casserole
There's no reason to wait until Thanksgiving to dig into this classic dish. Especially with healthy additions like homemade mushroom Alfredo sauce in place of cream of mushroom soup and fresh baby bella mushrooms.
5. Healthy Tuna Casserole
An old-school dinner that's come a long, long way. This one substitutes brown rice for white and a lean cashew cream sauce for milk and cheese.
6. Kale And Wild Rice Casserole
A hearty meal to warm you up after a blustery day. Think caramelized cremini mushrooms, lots of fresh thyme, heavy cream and Gruyère.
7. Spicy Tuna Rice Casserole
Your favorite sushi joint is getting jealous. Two cans of tuna get totally transformed with the help of spicy yogurt, nori sheets, grated cucumber and soy sauce. Bonus points for using brown rice instead of white.
8. Baked Zucchini ‘ziti’ Spirals With Mozzarella
Bye, noodles. Instead, we use thin-sliced zucchini and roll it up with garlicky ricotta and mozzarella before pouring on the marinara.
9. Creamy Chicken Quinoa And Broccoli Casserole
Chicken breast can get old fast. Bring on the fluffy quinoa, broccoli florets and shredded Gruyère. We won't tell if you throw in some bacon either.
10. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
With a dinner like this, who needs bread or pasta? (Just kidding. We do.) But this low-carb delight also has a lot to be excited about, like lots of ground turkey and grated mozzarella.
11. Crock Pot Mexican Casserole
Cheese, beef, sour cream, all the guac...tacos are our kryptonite. Don't worry about breaking your diet on this lean take though; it uses ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, lots of veggies, black beans and quinoa.
12. Creamy Vegan Lentil And Roasted Vegetable Bake
We know, we know. This even sounds healthy. And it is. But it's so not a bad thing. Think roasted butternut squash, sweet potato and cauliflower golden and caramelized in a decadent cashew cream. Not to mention the toasted pine-nut topping.
13. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Even your kids will be psyched about this one. It's got all the flavor of takeout plus lots of crispy edamame and brown rice. You can thank honey and brown sugar for the sweet-and-savory sauce.
14. Garlic Butter Shrimp And Quinoa
Nothing screams summer like lemony, buttery seafood. And since shrimp is super lean and healthy, you can have lots of it. Go ahead and make that second plate.
15. Tuna Green Chile Zucchini Casserole
She's paleo. She's Whole30. She's downright delicious. We had no idea tuna casserole could be pretty, but spiralized zucchini, diced green chiles and fresh lemon make it happen.
16. Low-carb Zucchini Enchiladas
These enchiladas have a secret: They're totally tortilla-free. Zucchini slices make it low-carb, and the shredded rotisserie chicken is a genius timesaver.
17. Butternut Squash Lasagna
Lasagna doesn't have to mean lots of calories, fat and carbs. Enter this healthy looker, rich with ribbons of butternut squash, garlicky spinach and part-skim mozzarella.
18. Spinach And Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Chicken breast? Again? Boooring. Liven them up with a simple homemade tomato sauce, lots of garlic spinach and fresh mozzarella.
19. Sausage And Sweet Potato Zucchini Lasagna
The sweet-potato sauce with garlic, ancho chili powder and cumin? Whoa. It comes together in less than an hour to boot.
20. Mexican Zucchini Lasagna
One serving of this beauty will only put you back 280 calories. That means you have plenty of wiggle room for a glass of wine. Or two.
21. Sweet Potato Lasagna
This is one meal that's sure to fill you up. We're talking 10 grams of protein per plate. And fair warning, you'll want to put that vegan basil-pesto on everything.
22. Healthy Chicken Pot Pie
Didn't think this was within your diet's parameters, did you? Almond milk plays the role of heavy cream in this veggie-rich dish.
23. Vegetable Studded Turkey Meatloaf
Give your casserole dish a break and lean on your trusty loaf pan for this one. Tell your trainer there are three cups of veggies (zucchini! bell pepper! peas! corn! yams!) in every meatloaf.
24. Spiralized Summer Squash Casserole With Gluten-free Breadcrumbs
We're picturing you in the yard munching on this with a side salad and a glass of Chardonnay. The gluten-free breadcrumbs, made with seasoned almond meal, won't disappoint.
25. Paleo Chicken And Celeriac Rice Casserole
Ever had celeriac before? This celery root makes for a great noodle substitute. Treat yourself to full-fat coconut milk for the base; it works wonders in the creaminess department.
26. Butternut Squash Parmesan
Pasta who? Pine nuts and lots of fresh sage put this dinner over the top. That means you can impress everyone from your kids to your book club in just under an hour.
27. Lightened Up Vegetable Lasagna Casserole
It's time to get creative with your lasagna. Skip the noodle sheets and sub zucchini-carrot pancakes instead. Use any cheese your heart desires, from cheddar to ricotta to soy.
28. Italian Chicken Meal Prep Casserole
Dinner in 40? No problem. Plump cherry tomatoes, sour cream, sliced zucchini and seasoned spinach make tonight's meal a total breeze.
29. Chinese Cauliflower Fried Rice Casserole
Your favorite takeout spot will miss you. This healthier alternative boasts Szechaun veggies and bean sprouts atop cauliflower or broccoli rice. Add a few runny sunny-side-up eggs for a decadent finisher.
30. Drunken Chicken Zoodle Casserole
This is the lighter cousin of Thai pad kee mao. Enter fresh zucchini noodles, ground ginger, stir-fry vegetables and a killer sauce made with fish sauce, chili garlic, tamari and red pepper.