20 Healthy Casserole Recipe Makeovers and Cooking Tips

Featured Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole

This scrumptious sweet potato casserole gets fabulous flavor from honey and freshly grated orange zest rather than the traditional stick of butter. To complete the healthy makeover we sprinkle a crunchy pecan streusel spiked with orange juice concentrate over the top. You can save the marshmallows for s'mores.

» Sweet Potato Casserole

Baked Cod Casserole

Dry white wine and Gruyère cheese give this fish casserole a rich flavor that hides its virtue. Before baking, we top the dish with seasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs, which add a wholesome, nutty flavor and dietary fiber. For variety, you can substitute almost any mild white fish.

» Baked Cod Casserole

Chilaquiles Casserole

Our version of this enchilada-style chilaquiles casserole is packed with nutritious beans and vegetables. Canned prepared enchilada sauce has great flavor and keeps the prep time quick. It can vary in heat level so find one that suits your taste. If you want to eliminate the heat altogether, try a green enchilada sauce (which is often milder than red) or substitute two 8-ounce cans of plain tomato sauce.

» Chilaquiles Casserole

Shrimp Chili Cornbread Casserole

Here we make a low-fat shrimp and vegetable chili (which is quite tasty on its own) and top it with a layer of golden cornbread for a delicious casserole that can be made ahead. The dish serves 12, so it's just right for serving to a crowd gathered to watch a Sunday afternoon game on TV.

» Shrimp Chili Cornbread Casserole

Chicken Cassoulet

A classic cassoulet takes two days to make and is larded with fat. This version keeps it simple with one skillet and a light touch. Serve with some crusty whole-grain rolls.

» Chicken Cassoulet

Skillet Tuna Noodle Casserole

Known as Tuna-Pea Wiggle to some, this family-friendly tuna noodle casserole tends to be made with canned soup and whole milk, which means high fat and sodium. We remedy this by making our own creamy mushroom sauce with nonfat milk thickened with a bit of flour. Look for whole-wheat egg noodles—they have more fiber than regular egg noodles (but this dish will work well and taste great with either).

» Skillet Tuna Noodle Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

This healthy revision of green bean casserole skips the canned soup and all the fat and sodium that come with it. Our white sauce with sliced fresh mushrooms, sweet onions and low-fat milk makes a creamy, rich casserole.

» Green Bean Casserole

Warm, satisfying casseroles are the epitome of comfort food

A casserole is simply any food that is cooked and served in the same dish, and it’s usually covered with gobs of fattening cheese.

Casseroles can be healthy, though—we’ve layered our healthy casserole recipes with fresh vegetables, beans and lean cuts of meat. So next time a craving for something warm and comforting hits, try one of these healthy, tasty and satisfying casseroles.