21+ Easy Vegetarian Casseroles For A Hearty Meal In 2023

With these easy vegetarian casseroles, preparing veg-loaded meals is no longer an arduous effort. Are you wondering what those are? My recommendations below will always astound you.

Casserole specialties are typically oven-cooked foods delivered in a deep pan or bowl. They are the most frequently chosen recipes for a substantial, hearty, and healthy dinner with relatively little effort.

Because you may make this kind of food with various ingredients, vegan or vegetarian casserole recipes are diverse. No more chit-chat; look at what they are now!

22 Best Vegetarian Casserole Ideas For Beginners

I guarantee my vegetarian casserole recipe suggestions below can effortlessly make you stun with their deliciousness. Choose your favorite ones and prepare for your next family’s dinner!

1. Green Bean Casserole

Total time: Around 40 minutes.

Green bean casserole is not only vegetarian-friendly but also compatible with the vegan diet. For the mushroom part, the button mushrooms, with their slight nutty and earthy tastes, match pretty well with the richness of the vegan cream.

The green beans used should be the canned ones so that you can save time on preliminary steps. Once you want to serve this delicacy for a party or family gathering on a special occasion, make this treat a few days ahead of time.

You’ll just need 5 minutes to have your comfort food hot again. This veggies-loaded side dish is versatile, so feel free to enjoy it alone or anything you wish.

I assure that this guide can help you know how to make green bean casserole!

2. Southwestern Black Bean Casserole

Total time: About 40 minutes.

Not a fan of green beans? Then what about a casserole with creamy, soft, and mild black beans? This Southwestern black bean casserole is renowned as a dinner dish in Mexico, so you can try serving this delight as your family’s last meal of the day.

This beany and cheesy casserole is exceptionally healthy, even though it’s loaded with cheddar cheese. About the lasagna sheet-like layers as illustrated they are actually whole-wheat flour tortillas.

Once serving this dish, you can top it with a dollop of sour cream or non-fat Greek yogurt to add more flavors to your dish. Sour cream is typically sourer than yogurt, so choosing anything between them depends on your preferences.

3. Corn Pudding Casserole

Total time: Approximately 50 minutes.

Ready-to-use cornbread mix, creamed corn, and whole kernel corn are the main ingredients in this pudding recipe so that you can experience a pack of corn flavors. This food is not a sweet pudding like you might imagine; it’s a side dish for a bigger meal.

Another highlight of this dish is the marbled cheddar cheese (a type of English cheddar cheese) with an extra smooth and rich taste. This kind of cheese is perfect for baked dishes, so it can perform its best in this simple casserole.

The best companions for this buttery, creamy American side delicacy are turkey breasts or some ham. These corn pudding casseroles can be prepared ahead of time and frozen until use.

4. Chili Cornbread Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour 50 minutes.

Another flavorsome American recipe on this list is this Chili Cornbread Casserole. Two main parts needed to form this dish are the chili-based stew and the cornbread (acting as a topping).

The ingredients for the saucy stew beneath your casserole treat are all vegan-friendly. Tomatoes, black beans, or kidney beans are everything you can find here. More importantly, the cornbread topping on the surface is not baked separately from the stew.

Instead, pour the bread mixture on top of your casserole and bake the whole thing in the few last steps. To be honest, the leftovers of this delight taste even better than the freshly baked ones, so just freeze the food up whenever you have some left after the meal.

Tasty yet easy to make; why not try to make this Chili cornbread casserole today?

5. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour 5 minutes.

Trust me; this suggestion is so tasty and easy to eat that even a kid who hates eating veggies will love it.

Rice (white or brown), cheddar or gouda cheese, and different spices (black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc.) harmonize well with each other. Because of such a winning combination you don’t need to worry about the greasy feeling when devouring.

In case you cannot follow 100% of the ingredient list, it’s no big deal to make some minor changes here. For example, instead of utilizing fresh broccoli, opt for frozen ones. Adding more vegetables to the food is acceptable; just do so if you wish for more diversity.

6. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour.

Next, I’ll show you how to make a foolproof potato-based casserole that will please everyone. After blending the mixture, I enjoy the nuttiness of the almond milk and the light starchy, mild flavor of the potatoes.

The presence of nutmeg enhances the overall appeal. As its name says, this delicate vegan-friendly casserole needs to be baked twice.

After baking the mixture of mashed potatoes, olive oil, cream cheese, sprinkle additional cheese, vegan bacon, and chopped scallions and do the second baking.

This potato casserole is compatible with refrigeration. Your food can last 5 days in the cooler compartment and 3 months in the freezer, so keeping the leftovers for future use is possible with this dish.

7. Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole

Total time: Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.

This cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole is a perfect delight to feed a crowd. Actually, there are various other ways to accomplish this dish, but my suggested recipe here might be the easiest. Everything you need here is only cheddar, broccoli, rice, and some eggs. So basic!

Before adding the broccoli to the recipe, gently sauté it for 4 to 5 minutes. Don’t overdo it because you’ll recook it with other ingredients like rice (long rice, like jasmine or basmati) and cheddar inside the oven. It’s preferable to enjoy the casserole when it’s warm.

Do you want to know more about how to whip up some cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole?

8. Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Total time: Around 40 minutes.

Many people might ask if gratin and casserole are the same, and the answer is an absolute yes. You will still need to bake your brussels, cheeses, breadcrumbs, and other components inside an oven. The most prominent feature of this gratin lies in its attractive golden-brown crust.

The favorable cheese topping in this recipe is unbelievable since the cooled leftovers can quickly become crispy again after a few minutes of reheating in the broiler. Sitting in the fridge for a couple of days won’t affect the quality of your delicacy.

9. White Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Total time: About 50 minutes.

Mac N’ Cheese has never failed to play a role as a crowd-pleaser treat in any family meal or party. It’s also a highly recommended quick dinner or lunch for any busy weekday. However, why not make a homemade batch with it instead of grabbing a take-out?

You won’t need to prepare anything fussy for this delight a few common ingredients like elbow macaroni, spices and some other herbs are already sufficient.

Yet, this particular white Mac N’ Cheese has more dairy products like whipping cream, cream cheese, and various other kinds. Remember not to wolf down your food right after baking. Let your Mac N’ Cheese wait for about 10 minutes, and the outcome will genuinely pay off.

10. Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

Total time: Around 1 hour 15 minutes.

A loaf Shepherd’s Pie will become heartier with more fillings and more nutrients packed inside. Don’t forget to toss some additional veggies (baby carrots/peas/button mushrooms) in this savory version of casserole.

While the use of veggie stock does add a great depth, the white wine lends notes of citrus and brightness to the base. The flavors from the light, crisp wine are a massive help as they can reduce the greasy mouthfeel of the dish.

Rich, fresh, and scrumptious are the most prominent tastes you can have from this pie dish. Never skip the step of peeling the potatoes before cooking and mashing since you’ll definitely want to create a smoother consistency and creamier taste afterward.

It’s surely a guide that can make you want to try making vegetarian Shepherd’s pie right away!

11. Zucchini Tomato Casserole

Total time: Approximately 1 hour.

Once mentioning zucchini, you might immediately think of summer veggies with various health benefits packed. Thanks to that, this food idea is a summer-y casserole you should never miss out on when the weather gets hotter outside.

The components needed for this delectable Turkish recipe are affordable therefore, add your own twists to it and create your own variation. However, the freshness of the veggies is vital, so you should ensure that you employ the good quality ones.

The zucchini slices should be thin enough and form only 4 or 5 layers of them in your baking pan only. My recommendation calls for vinegar to lend a slightly acidic, sour taste to your casserole, but you can replace it with lime juice.

12. Hash Brown Casserole Without Soup

Total time: About 1 hour.

Looking for a fulfilling casserole for breakfast? This Hash Brown casserole is a must-try recipe. In this dish, you won’t need to make the Hash Browns from scratch, and feel free to opt for any frozen products you have on hand.

It is also simple to assemble this recipe. You just need to mix Hash Browns (browned, chopped potatoes) with other ingredients (like mushrooms, spinach, sweet onions, and so on) together, cover the batch with foil and bake the whole thing at 375 degrees F (or 190 degrees C).

Notice to sprinkle some refreshing and aromatic fresh herbs onto your food when serving because they can help to decrease the greasy feeling effectively.

Let’s learn to make Hash Brown casserole without soup today!

13. Broccoli Cheddar Egg And Hash Brown Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour 5 minutes.

Prepare this veggies-loaded casserole recipe, and you won’t need to worry about the main dish to serve in your upcoming meals. To be honest, I think this frozen Hash Browns-filled delight is perfect for breakfast, but you can have it for other times of the day.

Compared to the previous recommendation, this recipe has more minor things to prepare. Eggs, broccoli, Hash Browns, and some simple spices are everything you need here. If you want to make your food more finger-licking, add some pepper flakes.

For the recipe’s sides, I suggest ketchup and maple syrup. Believe me, they might sound weird to you, but the taste combination of mixed spices and milky/rich cheese is actually divine.

14. Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

Total time: Around 45 minutes.

This following casserole recipe is definitely a sweet treat or side dish for holidays. Sweet potatoes, chopped pecans, and fresh cranberries work magically well together and form an irresistible effect afterward.

Feel free to add other nuts into your sweet casserole if you want. The additional nuttiness flavors and a crunchy texture can offer an exciting taste experience for you here.

But be mindful; in case you want to make this casserole ahead of time, don’t freeze the unbaked batch. It would be better to freeze the cooked portion (in a freezer bag or airtight container), and your dessert can last for up to 3 to 4 months inside the freezer. 

15. Garden Vegetable Lasagna

Total time: Around 1 hour.

Lasagnas are prevalent Italian delicacies that can consist of various components; here is a way to make it a vegetarian recipe. Instead of the classic minced meat sauce, this delight calls for zucchinis, carrots, chopped leafy spinach, etc.

The way to assemble this lasagna is the same as what you might do with other recipes. With the inclusion of marinara sauce, your lasagna dish will undoubtedly be delectable with loads of spices and tomato flavors.

Moreover, you may add more cheese between the lasagna layers to make your dish richer and cheesier. My personal favorites are grated mozzarella, ricotta, or cheddar on the top of your food for a golden brown hue.

Making a big batch of vegetable lasagna is much easier than you might think!

16. Vegetarian Pesto Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Total time: About 45 minutes.

It’s another twist on the regular bechamel sauce-based lasagna by rolling the lasagna sheets with stuffed fillings. You can expect a mouthful of flavors whenever having a bite into this scrumptious Italian casserole.

About the fillings, there are ready-to-use pesto sauce, thawed spinach (or fresh ones if available) and mixed cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta) with some condiments to taste.

Remember to squeeze the excess moisture out of the spinach to prevent making your lasagna soggy. You should let the food settle for about 5 minutes before devouring it. Don’t neglect this tip as it can prevent the layers of the casserole from falling off.

17. Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

Total time: Around 50 minutes (excluding the chilling time inside the fridge).

How about a vegetarian dessert made in a casserole style? This American-inspired dessert, Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole, is so tasty that you’ll want to eat it continuously. As the food’s name is pretty long, what can you expect in this recipe?

French bread/sourdough chunks, apple cubes, whipping cream, and cinnamon (to add the fragrance) are everything you need to prepare for a perfect casserole.

Since this recipe requires an overnight period of chilling inside the fridge (uncooked and without the streusel topping), you can serve this treat as a tasty breakfast. You will just need to bake your food for around 40 minutes and serve it just like that.

18. Greek Zucchini And Feta Bake

Total time: Around 55 minutes (including 10 minutes for the treat to set after cooking).

Based on the ingredients to create this Greek-inspired recipe, I’m sure you can enjoy this casserole for your ketogenic meal. There might be only veggies, cheeses, and eggs; this dish contains an excellent nutrition profile that can satisfy your needs.

After combining everything into a baking pan or tray, sprinkle some paprika on the surface of your food and cook it for around half an hour. The spicy spices will add a gorgeous reddish hue to the yellowish base of your casserole, and your food will look more attractive.

It’s the best-detailed guide that shows you how to make Greek Zucchini & Feta Bake!

19. Vegetarian Monterey Spaghetti

Total time: Approximately 40 minutes.

Commonly, a Monterey spaghetti goes with some chicken but that part of protein can be omitted in this vegetarian version. The only must-have ingredient here is the Monterey Jack cheese, a pale-yellow cheese with a supple texture with a prominent buttery flavor.

Although this spaghetti recipe contains many dairy products (such as sour cream and Parmesan cheese), the flavor of Monterey Jack cheese is quite dominant. To balance the milkiness and richness, adding some garlic powder for a hint of intense earthiness is a must. 

20. Madras Curry Tofu Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour 5 minutes.

It’s a huge mistake to neglect an Indian vegetarian-friendly specialty for a list of veg-based dishes. Among all, I highly recommend you try this recipe of baked tofu going with the Madras Curry base (with the use of Madras curry powder).

Madras Curry is a unique South Indian delicacy featuring a prominent spicy note and various aromatics (like black peppercorns, red chilies, mustards, etc.). Don’t be scared of the pungent ingredients there; coconut milk and tofu can ease that intensity.

You can change the tofu into chickpeas or veggies to make you food soy-free. About the accompaniments for this Indian dish, simply pair it with white rice, Dosas (South Indian pancakes), or Rotis (whole wheat Indian flatbreads). Yummy!

21. Vegetarian Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Total time: About 1 hour.

Black beans are always a good source of vegetarian-friendly protein in various veg-based recipes. I’m sure you won’t regret creating this Mexican casserole specialty since it’s a great way to make the humble black beans flourish.

The heat is an irreplaceable feature in this Enchilada casserole, and something like Jalapeño sauce or El Pato (a Mexican hot tomato sauce) is a must-have. However, it’s totally fine if you try to reduce the intensity by using less of them.

The use of cheddar or Monterey jack cheeses provides a balanced richness and weaken the spicy note, so your casserole won’t be overly spicy.

In case you want to match it with veganism, discard the cheeses (or use vegan cheeses instead), and your beloved comfort food is still toothsome.

It’s not only vegetarian; this black bean Enchilada casserole is also vegan. Try it now!

22. Pearl Onion Broccoli Bake

Total time: About 1 hour 25 minutes.

Pearl onions are a unique onion variant that offers less pungency than other kinds, while the sweetness is more prominent. They also have a typical small size ạnd firm texture, making them an ideal part of such an irresistible casserole like this broccoli bake dish.

This recipe can perform its best on your family dinner table no matter what time or occasion of the year. Whether you want to serve this casserole during fall or summer, for gatherings or parties, it will always work like a charm.

Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Casseroles Today!

I promise you won’t take much effort to make my suggested veggies-based casserole recipes since they are straightforward to assemble. Moreover, the ingredients required for these dishes are affordable so that you can find them in any store near your house.

In case you have no idea which one you should start with, I think the twice-baked potato casserole or the cranberry pecan sweet potato one is excellent.

Share this post with your friend if you love my recommendations, and don’t hesitate to share your favorite recipes in the comment section below!