Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Recipes
  4. 14 Surprisingly Healthy Casseroles Everyone Is Sure to Adore

14 Surprisingly Healthy Casseroles Everyone Is Sure to Adore

By Rebecca Morris Updated December 03, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
shepherds pie
Credit: Kate Mathis
A beloved comfort food and a staple for many families, casseroles have a reputation for being heavy on fat and calories. The one-pan wonders featured here, from creamy chicken and rice to enchiladas and elegant vegetable gratins, contain all the things we love about casseroles, but with smart ingredient tweaks and healthy swaps that will change the game for good.
Start Slideshow

1 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
shepherds pie
Credit: Kate Mathis

The often cheesy, creamy DNA of a good casserole is deliciously comforting, plus a single pan can feed a crowd of hungry loved ones in one fell swoop. What's not to like about that? All of that being said, a lot of casserole recipes are reserved for special occasions simply because they use heavy cream liberally and require what seems like mountains of shredded cheese. Those recipes have their place, but what about the average weeknight when you're craving something cozy and nutritious for dinner? The selection of recipes here aims to deliver that balance through fresh takes and clever swaps that breathe new life into the humble casserole.

Ahead, you'll find hearty, plant-based dishes like the Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie shown here, where lentils and extra vegetables replace the usual ground meat. There are also all vegetable casseroles that can deftly switch from co-star to leading role for the vegetarians at the table (and would make fabulous options for Meatless Mondays for all). Meaty classics like enchiladas and lasagna aren't left behind—they receive healthy makeovers that hold on to their best features, like gooey cheese.

We think one of the best uses for casseroles is for using up the bits and bobs of extra usable produce and leftover meat in the fridge, so look out for new favorites that make ingenious use of easy ingredients like cooked rice and rotisserie chicken. Last but not least, not all casseroles are homely by nature—for dishes that are meant to impress, look no further than our Tian Provençal, a gluten-free stunner of a side where fresh vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes are beautifully arranged atop a bed of fluffy polenta and roasted. Looking for something both easy and beautiful to serve on the side of a big holiday roast? This gratin drapes a lighter bechamel sauce over tender cauliflower florets and vibrant slices of earthy sweet potatoes and bakes up into a dish that looks and tastes as indulgent as ever.

Whichever mood you're in—from spectacular sides to hearty mains—keep reading to discover new lightened up casseroles that are both wholesome and delicious enough to please the whole family.

1 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken and Spinach Casserole

med106243_1010_ayc_chicken_casserole.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cozy dinner is easy to achieve, thanks to ingredients like rotisserie chicken and pre-washed baby spinach. Packed with enough greens to satisfy Popeye himself, this casserole feels super indulgent without using heavy cream or butter to get there.

2 of 14

3 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baked Shells with Winter Squash

2003_10_bakedshells.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Store bought winter squash purée from the freezer aisle steps in as a silky, flavorful swap for heavy cream in this comforting baked pasta recipe. Sautéed onions, rosemary, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese all contribute to the alfredo-like flavor profile.

3 of 14

Advertisement

4 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Far from ordinary, this crowd-pleasing potato-topped pie uses lean ground turkey and aromatics like chipotle powder and thyme. Between the moist meat sauce and the creamy cloud of mashed potatoes on top (that sneaks in parsnips), it tastes rich and is sure to have everyone asking for seconds.

4 of 14

5 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

tortilla casserole
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layers of canned black beans, mushrooms, corn tortillas, and jarred salsa come together in this tortilla pie to make a satisfying meatless meal. Mushrooms provide plenty of richness, which leaves us with plenty of room for a generous topping of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

5 of 14

6 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tuna Noodle Casserole with Cauliflower

tuna-noodle-casserole-024-d111386.jpg
Credit: Linda Pugliese
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nutritious and mild-flavored cauliflower slips seamlessly into a classic tuna noodle casserole that uses flour-thickened milk to bind the tuna, noodles, and florets together.

6 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Potato, Zucchini, and Tomato Gratin

Potato, Zucchini, and Tomato Gratin
Credit: Mikkel Vang
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe demonstrates how you can cut the richness of a traditional potato gratin by studding it with thinly sliced veggies like zucchini and tomatoes. It's a great side to make in late summer or early fall, when there's still a glut of summer produce around.

7 of 14

8 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

chicken rice casserole
Credit: Yunhee Kim
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Rotisserie chicken and precooked rice are the stars in this simple and homey old-fashioned casserole. To keep it light, the recipe uses broth thickened with flour (instead of the usual cream) to bind the ingredients together. Reduced-fat sour cream stirred in before baking ensures that this casserole still tastes creamy and delicious.

8 of 14

9 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Gratin

sweet potato gratin
Credit: Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A lightened up bechamel sauce allows the pure fall flavors of this elegant side dish to shine, without being bogged down by heavy cream and gobs of cheese. A judicious amount of Parmesan complements the earthy sweet potato and tender cauliflower florets.

9 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Healthier Meat Lasagna

ed103255_1107_meatlasagna.jpg
Credit: David Loftus
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe is all about demonstrating the cumulative power of smart ingredient swaps and thoughtful additions: Low-fat cottage cheese stands in for whole milk ricotta much better than skim ricotta does, while adding chopped eggplant to the ragu helps to keep the lean ground beef from tasting dry.

10 of 14

11 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tian Provencal with Polenta

zucchini-tomato-casserole-opener-047-d112407.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hearty and naturally gluten-free, this dish would be the perfect accompaniment to roast chicken, but it's also filling enough to stand on its own as a meatless main. Packed with vegetables that are layered inside and beautifully arranged on top, it still feels like an indulgent scoop on account of the creamy polenta and Gruyère cheese that sit underneath.

11 of 14

12 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

casseroles-chicken-enchilada-2-med107508.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A homemade tomatillo sauce encourages these enchiladas to shine through without using lots of cheese as many recipes do. Sour cream and a little cotija is enough to satisfy and balance out the tangy sauce in this fresh, light dish.

12 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butternut Squash and Kale Gratin

squash-d111453-0031.jpg
Credit: Chris Court
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Butternut squash is packed with vitamin A, fiber, and potassium, while kale boasts essential vitamins A, C, and K. There are so many nutrients in this elegant-looking casserole, that the bit of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese that go into this dish seem positively harmless!

13 of 14

14 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Summer Beef and Rice Casserole

grocery-bag-med108749-003b.jpg
Credit: Andrew Purcell
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Have leftover meat sauce in the freezer? This recipe puts it to good use; mix it with a little rice, transforming it from pasta sauce to casserole darling in no time. After topping it with sliced summer squashes, it bakes until the rice is perfectly tender.

14 of 14

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 14
    2 of 14 Chicken and Spinach Casserole
    3 of 14 Baked Shells with Winter Squash
    4 of 14 Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie
    5 of 14 Mushroom and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
    6 of 14 Tuna Noodle Casserole with Cauliflower
    7 of 14 Potato, Zucchini, and Tomato Gratin
    8 of 14 Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
    9 of 14 Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Gratin
    10 of 14 Healthier Meat Lasagna
    11 of 14 Tian Provencal with Polenta
    12 of 14 Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    13 of 14 Butternut Squash and Kale Gratin
    14 of 14 Summer Beef and Rice Casserole

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    14 Surprisingly Healthy Casseroles Everyone Is Sure to Adore
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.