17 Easy Diabetes-Friendly Casserole Recipes

chipotle ranch chicken casserole

Casseroles never fail to be cozy, hearty and tasty, which is why you should try these recipes ASAP. They taste like they were baking in the oven all day long, but these casseroles only take an hour or less from start to finish, which can help you get dinner on the table in no time. Plus, each dish is loaded with complex carbs like whole grains and lower in saturated fats and sodium, meaning they're appropriate for a diabetes-friendly eating pattern. Recipes like our Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole and Shrimp and Cauliflower Bake are easy and enjoyable options for dinner tonight.

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Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole

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Simplify weeknight dinnertime by transforming leftover slow-cooked chicken (see associated recipe, below) into an easy, cheesy casserole.

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Smoked Turkey, Kale & Rice Bake

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This hearty one-skillet dinner is loaded with celery, kale, tomatoes and quick-cooking brown rice. It's easy to make the recipe vegetarian by substituting smoked tofu for the turkey.

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Shrimp and Cauliflower Bake

Shrimp and Cauliflower Bake

This quick and easy seafood casserole gets bright flavor from fresh dill and feta cheese.

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Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole
Jacob Fox

This simplified take on cheesy chicken enchiladas only requires one pan for cooking and eliminates the need to stuff and roll corn tortillas. Charring the veggies in a cast-iron skillet adds depth of flavor. Don't worry if you don't have one, because you can use any oven-safe skillet instead.

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Garlic Cashew Chicken Casserole

garlic cashew chicken casserole

Combine brown rice, cashews, chow-mein noodles and vegetables galore with chicken in this delicious casserole.

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Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles

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These sweet and savory mini casseroles are ready in just an hour. Refrigerate or freeze the leftovers to enjoy later.

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Skillet Chicken Potpie

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A store-bought pie crust, frozen veggies and precooked chicken simplify the prep for this easy potpie. This healthy dinner recipe is comfort food at its best.

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Hot Chicken Salad Casserole

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A crunchy cornflake-almond topper complements this saucy chicken mixture.

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Easy Macaroni and Cheese

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This updated casserole recipe uses fat-free milk, refrigerated egg product and reduced-fat cheddar cheese, which lower the calories, fat, and carbs in your meal. As an added bonus, this recipe fits into a diabetes-friendly diet.

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Cheesy Squash Bake

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Here's a terrific way to dress up the last of the season's summer squash. Reduced-fat cheddar cheese gives this side dish recipe plenty of flavor.

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Tamari-Ginger Meatball & Eggplant Casserole

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Eggplant soaks up the flavors of ginger, garlic and tamari in this Asian-inspired casserole recipe. A hot pepper in the topping adds a bit of heat, but opt for sweet if you prefer.

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Caprese Casserole

a recipe photo of the Caprese Casserole served in a dish with a wooden spoon dipped in it and tomatoes, basil, and a towel beside it
Sara Haas

This healthy casserole comes together easily, making it the perfect choice for any weeknight dinner. Be sure not to overcook the pasta or it will turn mushy. And don't skip the balsamic vinegar at the end—it's a bright finishing touch.

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Beef & Black Bean Nacho Casserole

a recipe image of the Tex-Mex Cheeseburger Casserole
Sara Haas

Hominy adds a chewy texture in this healthy casserole, which draws flavor inspiration from nachos. Crushed corn tortilla chips add a crunchy layer to complete the dish. Mild, medium and hot green chiles all work well, so choose what you like best depending on your heat preference.

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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Casserole

a recipe photo of the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Casserole
Sara Haas

This healthy vegetarian casserole is a standout on any table. Crushed red pepper provides a little kick to this creamy main dish. We love the ease of jarred roasted red peppers, but if you have time, feel free to roast them yourself.

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Black Bean & Mushroom Enchilada Casserole

a recipe photo of the Mushroom Black Bean Enchiladas in a casserole dish
Ali Redmond

Mushrooms and creamy black beans spiced with cumin and oregano create the filling for this vegetarian enchilada casserole. Pepper Jack adds nice flavor, but you can substitute regular Monterey Jack cheese if you don't want the heat.

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Creamy Spinach-&-Feta Chicken Casserole

a recipe photo of the Creamy Spinach-&-Feta Chicken Casserole
Sara Haas

Inspired by the flavors of spanakopita, here we put a spin on spinach pie and turn it into a casserole. Adding chicken provides protein, while plenty of garlic and onions add flavor. This recipe calls for 8 sheets of phyllo dough, so there's no need to cover them to keep them moist when assembling. If your sheets are larger than your dish, cut them or fold them in half so they fit.

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Sour Cream-&-Onion Chicken Casserole

a recipe photo of the Sour Cream-&-Onion Chicken Casserole served in a dish and it scooped out
Sara Haas

If you're looking for something cozy to eat, this casserole is a delicious choice! Instead of using a can of cream of mushroom soup, we make our own simplified version here. This hearty casserole is finished with perfectly tangy sour cream and buttery crackers, which add the perfect crunch.

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