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Vegan Casserole Recipes for Cold Nights

By Lisa Esile, MS,

Last Updated:

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.

Mexican style beans rice casserole

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.
Shepherd’s Pie in a cast iron casserole dish

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is one of those classic dishes that never fails to satisfy, and this vegan version from Cathy Fisher doesn’t disappoint. Portobello mushrooms add umami-rich goodness and tomato paste lends tangy notes to the veggie filling. Mashed potatoes are cooked with granulated onion and garlic for extra flavor. This freezes well!

“Made this for Thanksgiving with Yukon gold potatoes instead of russet - so good!!” —Katherine
Vegan Pastitsio with Lentils (Greek Lasagna) in a white casserole dish garnished with flat leaf parsley

Vegan Pastitsio with Lentils (Greek Lasagna)

In this vegan take on a Greek favorite, fragrant lentils infused with cinnamon and nutmeg are layered with whole grain penne pasta. A creamy, potato-based vegan sauce provides comforting cheesy goodness without all the added fat. Ready in under an hour, this hearty pasta bake is excellent served with a garden salad.

“This is a very delicious dish. I am going to make it again for Thanksgiving dinner.” —NK
casserole

Tu-No Casserole (Vegan Tuna Casserole)

This vegan twist on a casserole classic is made with garbanzo beans and mushrooms instead of tuna.
Easy vegan casserole with side of spices and herbs

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.
Individual Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles in white ramekins

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!"
Healthy Salsa Verde Casserole in an orange casserole dish

Healthy Salsa Verde Taco Casserole

You’ll find layers of tantalizing flavor in this Southwest-inspired casserole. The rustic base comes together quickly and features a mouthwatering mix of mushrooms, barley, and spinach seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Top with tortilla strips, frozen roasted corn, cannellini beans, and homemade salsa verde for a comforting meal packed with flavor. If tomatillos are out of season, use store-bought salsa verde.

“Made this today. It is so filling and delicious! I’m new to eating vegan, and this will be a staple in my rotation as I love the spicy flavor!” —Jamie
Harvest Vegetable Casserole with Lentils and Gravy in a serving dish

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.”
Mini Vegan Mac and Cheese Casseroles in white ramekins

Mini Vegan Mac and Cheese Casseroles

Satisfy your mac and cheese cravings with these cute mini casseroles, baked until bubbly and golden. The dairy-free sauce features roasted red bell peppers, potato flour, and nutritional yeast. Top with coarse, savory bread crumbs for the ultimate family-friendly meal.

“Enjoyed very much, it’s a keeper.” —Sue
Vegan Moussaka in a casserole dish

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.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Herbed Mushroom Stuffing

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.
The Best Green Bean Casserole for Wordpress

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.
Individual Curried Shepherd’s Pies in white ramekins

Individual Curried Shepherd’s Pies

This Indian-inspired take on an English classic gets extra flavor from a saucy, curry-spiced tomato filling. ​​Kidney beans and lentils stand in for the meat, and creamy vegan mashed potatoes get extra flavor from vegetable broth and nutritional yeast. Served in single 16-oz. ramekins, the whole family will enjoy these nourishing mini bakes.

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!

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.
Mini Vegan Tamale Pie in white ramekins

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!
Budget-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie in a white bowl with a wooden spoon

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!
Baked Vegetable Biryani in a casserole dish next to a white plate with a full serving and metal fork

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.
Cheesy Vegan Potato Casserole in a white bowl against a blue background

Cheesy Vegan Potato Casserole

This hash brown–like pie from Dreena Burton is ideal for brunch, lunch, or dinner, served with a salad or fresh fruit. Steamed potatoes combine with a cheesy mix of cannellini beans to create a comforting casserole. Add sautéed onions and bell peppers to the mix for extra veggie goodness. Steamed greens would also work well here; add them just before baking.
Southwest Spaghetti Casserole on white plates

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!
Potato-Spinach Casserole with Trumpet Mushrooms on a white plate

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.

This article was originally published on Oct. 23, 2017, and has been updated. 

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About the Author

Headshot of Lisa Esile, MS

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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