Healthy MyPlate-Inspired Casserole Recipes

August 27, 2019
These healthy casserole recipes will help you eat according to MyPlate, the new food pyramidDownload a FREE Healthy Casserole Recipe Cookbook!Watch Video
Start Slideshow

1 of 33

Stovetop Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We trimmed 9 grams of fat and almost 100 calories in this makeover of cheesy chicken-and-broccoli casserole. All the raw ingredients are layered in a skillet, then simmered for a quick weeknight dinner.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 33

Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy, homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is topped with plenty of golden breadcrumbs. If you want to add a little flair to this healthy macaroni and cheese, use aged Gruyere instead of Cheddar and add extra ingredients like peas, chopped cooked mushrooms or chopped ham. This recipe makes more Cream Sauce without the Cream than you'll need for the macaroni and cheese. Refrigerate or freeze the extra sauce and use it in place of heavy cream in any sauce or soup that calls for cream.

3 of 33

Skillet Tuna Noodle Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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).

Advertisement

4 of 33

Sauerkraut & Sausage Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One bite of this hearty sausage casserole recipe--full of sauerkraut, apples and kielbasa--and you'll be transported to a tiny pub in the Alsace region of northern France. Serve with extra mustard if you like.

5 of 33

Vegetarian Quinoa & Squash Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An aromatic mixture of garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice and cayenne flavors this vegetarian quinoa and squash casserole recipe. Frozen squash is a super-easy topping.

6 of 33

Seafood Chowder Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

New England seafood chowder inspired the flavors here, but we've enhanced them further with Gruyère cheese and a crispy crumb topping. We like the combination of shrimp, cod and crab, but feel free to experiment with other types of seafood--scallops, clams and mahi-mahi would also work well.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 33

Chili Cornbread Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a fun way to serve chili and cornbread together. Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you--this casserole is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.

8 of 33

Tuna-&-Tomato Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tuna mac & cheese takes a trip to the Southwest with spicy tomato and festive blue tortilla chips on top. Canned tomatoes with green chiles and ancho chile powder add a peppery kick, but if you like, you can keep it mellow by using a 14-ounce can of drained petite diced tomatoes and mild chili powder.

9 of 33

Zucchini Rice Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We pack extra vegetables into this cheesy baked rice casserole. Plus we substitute brown rice for white, reduce the cheese by half and swap turkey sausage for pork sausage. If you're bringing it to a potluck, plan to reheat it before serving.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 33

Cheesy Potato Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The original version of this cheesy potato casserole stars canned soup, full-fat sour cream, a stick of butter and a crust of crushed potato chips. We lightened it considerably by using a homemade white sauce instead of canned soup and swapping nonfat Greek yogurt for the sour cream. Crushed corn flakes replace the potato chips. All in all, we slashed 200 calories, 25 grams of fat (12 grams saturated) and 170 milligrams of sodium per serving. Dig in!

11 of 33

Creamed Spinach Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy spinach casserole recipe is a more sophisticated cousin to creamed spinach. It's perfect for weekend entertaining or as a holiday side dish.

12 of 33

Scalloped Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy potato casserole, full of roasted potato slices and a creamy sauce, is topped with crunchy breadcrumbs. It goes well with just about anything--from a holiday roast to weeknight pork chops.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 33

Mini Chile Relleno Casseroles

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everyone gets an individual portion with this vegetarian, Tex-Mex mini casserole. A normal-size casserole like this would take close to an hour to bake--these are ready in half the time. Heatproof ramekins are a cook's best friend--we use them all the time to hold ingredients while cooking. You can buy them at most grocery stores.

14 of 33

Fish & Mushroom Casserole with Crispy Phyllo

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fish and mushroom casserole recipe features a crispy phyllo topping on a hearty stew full of mushrooms and chunks of cod swimming in a rich sherry sauce. Other firm white fish work too--use whatever looks best at the seafood counter.

15 of 33

Shrimp Chili Cornbread Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 33

Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In Minnesota, chicken, mushrooms and wild rice are often bound together in a casserole with cream of mushroom soup. We forgo the sodium-rich canned soup and make a light, creamy sauce that gets depth of flavor from dry sherry and Parmesan cheese. If you already have cooked chicken, use 4 cups and skip Step 2.

17 of 33

Cauliflower-Broccoli Gratin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy broccoli-and-cauliflower casserole is a hassle-free side dish that just about everyone loves. Our healthier version skips the heavy cream and butter found in most recipes--saving about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional version.

18 of 33

Cheesy Polenta & Egg Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This memorable brunch centerpiece is rich with cheesy polenta, crumbled sausage and baked eggs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 33

Grandma Ginger's Fish Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Recipe developer Katie Webster's grandmother used to make a version of this dish with fresh-caught smallmouth bass from Vermont's Lake Champlain. Our updated version requires no fishing; just a trip to the supermarket for Pacific cod or tilapia.

20 of 33

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We took the classic flavors of Buffalo wings--hot sauce, blue cheese, carrots and celery--and created a finger-licking-good casserole. Serve this dish during football season to a hungry crowd and it's sure to be a hit. We don't typically recommend ingredients by brand name, but in this case we make an exception for Frank's RedHot Sauce. It has the perfect balance of spice and tang for this casserole. Texas Pete and Crystal hot sauces are suitable alternatives if you can't find Frank's.

21 of 33

Brussels Sprout Gratin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A creamy Brussels sprouts casserole is a delightful accompaniment to any holiday meal. Our healthier version skips the heavy cream and butter found in most recipes--saving about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional version.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 33

Curried Chicken Thighs with Buttery Croutons

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These saucy curried chicken thighs makes a great dish for a big easy family supper. There's plenty of curry sauce, so serve with brown rice or whole-wheat egg noodles. We call for boneless, skinless chicken thighs here, but we've also tried it with bone-in thighs and it worked wonderfully.

23 of 33

Butternut Squash Gratin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted butternut squash slices layered with a creamy sauce and topped with golden breadcrumbs makes a hassle-free side dish that just about everyone loves. Our healthier version skips the heavy cream and butter found in most recipes--saving about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional version.

24 of 33

Carrot-Parsnip Gratin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make this creamy carrot-and-parsnip casserole for your next holiday meal--everyone will beg you for the recipe! Our healthier version skips the heavy cream and butter found in most recipes--saving about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional version.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 33

Layered Mashed Potato & Mushroom Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fancy up regular mashed potatoes with a layer of mushroom duxelle--a sauté of finely chopped mushrooms and shallots. We omitted the traditional butter in the duxelle and added chard for a nutritional boost. Serve this hearty side in place of mashed potatoes at any holiday feast or enjoy it as a vegetarian main dish.

26 of 33

Grits & Greens Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we've combined two favorite Southern side dishes--grits and greens--into one casserole; it's a natural choice to serve with Easter ham. Try omitting the bacon and using vegetable broth to make it a vegetarian dish.

27 of 33

Shrimp Tamale Casserole with Three Sisters Black Mole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This version of tamales, made into a casserole rather than little cornhusk-wrapped bundles, can be whipped up in minutes and has the same great taste and texture of traditional tamales. It's filled with shrimp here, but this is a forgiving recipe that works well stuffed with whatever you like. Quick-cooking seafood, such as scallops, cheese or even some of the mole also make great fillings. Serve the casserole topped with Three Sisters Black Mole or your favorite salsa. Adapted from Chef Jesús González, Chef of La Cocina Que Canta at Rancho La Puerta.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 33

Chilaquiles Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

29 of 33

Green Bean Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

30 of 33

Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole (Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani)

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Biryanis are rice-based casseroles that combine a saucy meat, vegetable or legume curry with basmati rice, whole spices, nuts and raisins. This particular dish is a nutritional powerhouse, thanks to the mustard greens and chickpeas. Look for the specialty spices--cardamom pods, saffron and garam masala--in the spice section of well-stocked supermarkets or online at penzeys.com.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 33

Meringue-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This lightened-up take on the classic Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole is spiked with crushed pineapple and toasted pecans. We top it with an airy, slightly sweet meringue. You can pipe the meringue to make it look fancy or simply spread it neatly with a rubber spatula.

32 of 33

Sweet Potato Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

33 of 33

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Typical green bean casseroles bathe ingredients in a heavy cream sauce and top them with buttered breadcrumbs or cheese. Our healthier version saves about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional recipe.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next