By Lisa Esile, MS,
As the weather cools down, casserole season is officially heating up, so we've rounded up our favorite vegan casserole recipes. Unlike the casseroles of yesteryear, these healthy plant-based creations are loaded with colorful vegetables, creamy-without-the-cream sauces, healthy whole grains and legumes, and flavorful herbs and spices. From biryani to moussaka to shepherd's pie, there's a vegan casserole recipe for whatever flavors you're craving.
Individual Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles
The nutty flavor of wild rice adds extra body to these single-serve casseroles, which also feature oodles of umami-rich mushrooms, broccoli, bell pepper, and chickpeas. A slurry of oat flour and nutritional yeast adds creamy, cheesy flavor. Note: You could cook this as one big casserole, but there's something extra special about individual portions; it's worth investing in ramekins at some stage. Shares one reviewer, "The flavor and texture were amazing! Makes a huge batch. We loved every bite!"
Southwest Spaghetti Casserole
This delectable smoky-flavored vegan casserole combines the comforting goodness of whole grain spaghetti with tender veggies, earthy black beans, and a silky chile-infused sweet potato sauce to delicious effect. Top with fresh scallions and cilantro, and dig in!
Mini Vegan Tamale Pie
A golden crust made from almond flour and masa harina is the perfect topper for these saucy tomato, bean, and vegetable mini casseroles, while taco seasoning adds bold flavor with minimal effort. Serve in individual ramekins or make one big casserole: Either way, the flavor-texture combination is divine!
Vegan Moussaka
Velvety eggplant, earthy potatoes, and a smoky, umami-rich mushroom-lentil sauce give this hearty vegan casserole divine savory flavor. A vegan cheesy white sauce, poured over the top, ensures every mouthful is a creamy one.
Baked Vegetable Biryani
Biryani is a classic Indian dish that is usually filled with ghee and meat. In this tasty vegan casseroled version, saffron-infused milk and fresh ginger add warm flavor to mixed veggies and brown rice while raisins add sweet notes and cashews provide crunch.
Potato-Spinach Casserole with Trumpet Mushrooms
The classic flavors of potato, spinach, and mushrooms come together perfectly in this comforting bake. Earthy potato slices soak up the herb-infused savory sauce, which also features tofu for extra creaminess. Note: The sauce is gluten-free and uses brown rice flour and chickpea flour to thicken. If you don’t have trumpet mushrooms, feel free to substitute with button mushrooms or portobello mushrooms.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Herbed Mushroom Stuffing
Jam-packed with fall flavors, this satisfying casserole features alternating layers of sweet potatoes; mushroom-laden, cranberry-studded stuffing; and savory vegan cream sauce.
Harvest Vegetable Casserole with Lentils and Gravy
This delectable casserole could take center stage at any special-occasion table. The combination of earthy lentils topped with crispy baked veggies and a cinnamon-infused umami-rich gravy make this a fan favorite. As one reviewer notes: “This casserole is out-of-this-world delicious!! Especially the gravy, which is now my family’s new gravy for everything.”
Budget-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie
Featuring savory veggies beneath creamy mashed potatoes, this comforting shepherd’s pie doesn’t skimp on flavor. Added bonus: Everything you need to make this is probably already in your pantry!
Mexican-Style Vegan Bean and Rice Casserole
This classic bean and rice dish gets kicked up a notch with loads of veggies, ancho chile powder, and toasted cumin. A cheesy-without-the-cheese sauce adds creamy texture.
Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole with Chickpeas
Packed with broccoli, brown rice, chickpeas, and tomato, this colorful, nourishing casserole uses everyday ingredients you’re likely to have in your cupboard. To make it spicier: Just rev up the chili powder.
The Best Vegan Green Bean Casserole
A creamy mushroom gravy complements the crispier elements of this vegan take on a classic casserole, which features a base of roasted flaxseed-coated onions and, of course, green beans.
Pumpkin Alfredo Casserole
Canned pumpkin blends with broth-cooked cauliflower and potato to form a rich, flavorful, and colorful sauce in this autumnal linguine casserole.
Tu-No Casserole (Vegan Tuna Casserole)
This vegan twist on a casserole classic is made with garbanzo beans and mushrooms instead of tuna.
Indian-Spiced Cauliflower and Potato Casserole
Potatoes, chickpeas, cauliflower, tomatoes, and an array of spices come together in this mouthwatering meal that will warm you right up.
Vegan Rice Casserole with Lentils
Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to your next potluck gathering, and be prepared to share the recipe. Make it with rice or pasta, and be sure to plan ahead to soak the lentils for six hours for extra-tasty results!
Breakfast Burrito Bake
Built for breakfast, this cozy dish works equally well for lunch or dinner! The creamy topping is made from grated potatoes and nutritional yeast, and the filling is packed with herbs and vegetables. This recipe is super flexible, so substitute what you’ve got in the cupboard.
Southwestern Enchilada Casserole
Filling and flavorful, a colorful enchilada casserole delivers the satisfaction of regular enchiladas without the hassle of making a separate sauce or filling and rolling tortillas.
Shepherd’s Pot Pie
This combination of warm mashed potatoes, vegetables, and gravy is so good you may wish you hadn’t invited your friends over to share.
This article was originally published on Oct. 23, 2017, and has been updated.
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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