What is casserole meal?

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are the advantages of preparing and serving casseroles?

Casseroles Are a Prime Example of Low-Waste Cooking One of the most notable benefits of casseroles involves the ability to make excellent use of extra produce, spare cuts of meat, and leftover foods . "Casseroles can be a whole family dinner and can be made inexpensively.

What is the oldest known casserole?

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What are the 5 components of a casserole?

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese .

What is the meaning of casserole meal?

a dish made by cooking meat, vegetables, or other foods inside a heavy container at low heat, or the heavy, deep container with a lid used in cooking such dishes . (Definition of casserole from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

What's the difference between a casserole and a lasagna?

Casseroles are usually quick and easy. Some ingredients quickly stir together and are poured into a baking dish, topped with cheese, and baked. A traditional lasagna takes more time . Multiple layers, all made separately, then put together before baking.

Why is it called a casserole dish?

The word casserole is derived from a French word that means 'saucepan' . Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

What is the difference between a dish and a casserole?

Definition: Casserole is the name of the dish used to cook with, whereas hot dish is the meal itself .

40 Clean Eating Casserole Recipes That'll Help You Put A Healthy Dinner On The Table All Month (2024)

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These clean eating casserole recipes are comfort food classics and family favorites for dinner. Easy to make ahead and freeze, or prep in minutes, you’ll want these healthy casserole recipes on standby for busy weeknights.

40 Clean Eating Casserole Recipes That'll Help You Put A Healthy Dinner On The Table All Month (1)

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Seriously, trying to spin too many plates (work, kids, diet, dinner) How are you supposed to slay at the office, be a mom-boss and eat healthy?

Look, when life gets overwhelming, and it always does – these clean eating casserole recipes will save your sanity, budget, and your diet.

Ingredient Swaps That Make Any Casserole Healthy

Clean Eating Pasta & Rice Swaps

The best swaps for white rice are quinoa, cauliflower, brown, or sweet potato rice. Substitute whole wheat, quinoa, or grain-free pasta or use butternut squash, zucchini or spaghetti squash zoodles.

Soup Swaps

Homemade condensed soups are easy to make in minutes, and when you go the DIY soup route you’ll avoid all of the unhealthy, hard to pronounce, unnecessary ingredients that canned soup contains.

Clean Casserole Protein Swaps

Opt for lean ground turkey over ground beef (Grass-fed preferred) – or use a half lentil, half beef combination.

Remember shredding cheese from the block is healthier (pre-shredded comes with more filler and preservatives)

As for cream cheese? I say everything is ok in moderation, but if you prefer a cleaner choice use ricotta, kefir or cottage cheese.

After you experiment with these healthy substitutions, and learn what works for you – you’ll be able to convert all of your favorite casserole recipes into a healthy dinner.

But before you go full out Martha Stewart on a classic, try a few of my favorite healthy versions of the best casseroles for dinner.

Healthy Mexican Casserole

A tasty and guilt-free casserole recipe full of vegetables and cheese from the Word To Your Mother Blog

Southwest Quinoa Bake

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Make it ahead or start now and have dinner on the table in 45 minutes via The Real Food Dietitians

Healthy Tetrazzini Casserole

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Swap whole wheat noodles for traditional spaghetti and make a cleaner version of the classic casserole for dinner.

Butternut Squash Quinoa Casserole

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Butternut squash, quinoa and black beans ready in 30 minutes from Trial and Eater

Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli

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Healthy eating meets comfort food (from scratch) Via Pinch of Yum

Turkey Zucchini & Rice

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Make this healthy dinner casserole ahead on meal prep day – full of lean protein and vegetables – via Cookin Canuck

Zucchini & Squash Casserole

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If you’re in need of a Meatless Monday meal – check out this zucchini and squash combination via Evolving Table

Skinny Spinach Lasagna

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Sauce, noodles, ricotta, spinach and Mozzarella via Pinch of Yum

Teriyaki Tofu-Tempeh

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Here’s a gluten-free, vegan style casserole filled with healthy veggies in a teriyaki sauce – so much better than takeout via The Simple Veganista

Low Carb Chicken Divan

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Cauliflower rice stands in for white to make this chicken, broccoli & cheese casserole healthy and low carb – via Simply Stacie

Greek Turkey, Rice & Feta

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Healthy and simple weeknight dinner that’s low calorie, clean and WW approved via Cookin Canuck

Black Bean Quinoa Casserole

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Delicious Mexican casserole via iFoodreal

Kale and Wild Rice

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Easy to to make ahead or on the spot as a side or a meal with wild rice, kale, caramelized onions and Gruyere from Half Baked Harvest

Chicken Burrito Bowl Casserole

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Ground chicken, beans, rice and spices make this one-pot meal via Fit Foodie Finds perfect for family dinner.

Chicken Bacon Ranch

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With only 7 simple ingredients plus a 5 minute prep time this easy low carb casserole via Wholesome Yum is always a hit for family dinner.

Low Carb Shrimp & Grits

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Shrimp and grits – the ultimate Southern comfort food with all of the classic rich and cheesy, buttery flavor and texture you’d expect from the traditional recipe less carbs thanks to a one of a kind cauliflower rice.

Turkey Taco Casserole

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Swap ground beef for lean turkey and you’ve got a healthy family dinner in an hour via Eat, Live, Run

Caprese Chicken & Quinoa

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A fabulous and fresh casserole everyone will love via Eat Yourself Skinny

Tomato Eggplant Zucchini Bake

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Fresh vegetables lightly seasoned with garlic – an incredibly healthy casserole for your main meal or a side via Well Plated

Turkey Meatballs in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

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You won’t miss the cream or cheese in this healthy casserole via Little Broken

Kale, Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Au Gratin

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Sweet potato, cauliflower and kale in coconut milk via Foraged Dish

Tuna Noodle Casserole

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Dairy-free, gluten-free and only 7 ingredients via Cotter Crunch

Spinach Artichoke Casserole

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This one is like a spinach artichoke dip – if it was a casserole:) Easy & delicious – iFoodreal

Cajun Shrimp and Quinoa

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Cajun shrimp in a cast iron skillet via This Gal Cooks

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

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Way better than loaded mashed potatoes and just as yummy from Wholesome Yum. (Keep it clean by using grass-fed butter and uncured bacon)

Layered BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada

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Ever tried combining BBQ and sweet potatoes? Now is the time! Via Ambitious Kitchen

French Onion Zoodle Bake

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A healthy spin on the classic French Onion soup via Climbing Grier Mountain

Sweet Potato Chili Casserole

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Sweet Potato Chili has just the right amount of sweetness and flavor – make it leaner with ground turkey via Dear Crissy

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

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No noodles = less carbs via Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

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A Buffalo chicken casserole that’s Whole30, Paleo and family approved via Wicked Spatula

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

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A clean eating casserole that doubles as comfort food – without the potatoes via Primavera Kitchen

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

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A healthy and simple side dish ready in just over an hour via Give Recipe

Quinoa Chicken Pot Pie

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A healthy version of the classic comfort food with a quinoa crust via iFoodreal

Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole

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Packed with veggies and easy to make ahead or put together now for a healthy dinner casserole that’s ready in just over an hour.

Chicken & Celeriac Rice

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Coconut milk, chicken broth and eggs combine to make this clean easting casserole recipe a creamy hit that’s super healthy (and Paleo) via Inspiralized

Chicken & Zucchini Noodle

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A healthier chicken and zucchini casserole that makes a perfect family dinner

Skinny Chicken Parmesan

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The healthier version of the traditional comfort food via SkinnyMs

Slow Cooker Healthy Taco Casserole

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Let your crockpot do the work with this easy, healthy family dinner recipe from Slow Cooker Gourmet

Italian Zucchini Spaghetti Bake

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Low carb zucchini noodle bake with mushrooms, roasted peppers and turkey sausage via Little Broken

Instant Pot Sausage & Chicken Casserole

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A low carb comfort food casserole made in your Instant Pot via Adventures of Mel

Now that you have over a month’s worth of clean eating casserole recipes, which one will you put on repeat? I’d love to know your favorites.