Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (2024)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe is absolutely delicious and very easy to make. It’s also a great way to incorporate healthier ingredients into your weekly family meals. Make it as a side dish or serve it on Meatless Monday as an amazing vegetarian dinner!

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (1)

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe

The other day I was thinking of making a vegetarian dish and came up with this great idea. I had some veggies at home that were about to go bad and thought of making a healthy mixed vegetable casserole recipe. It came out great and the best part was my family also loved it. Even my son who has been picky lately decided to try it. And he actually liked it!

This vegetable bake is great for your weekly family meals. It also makes an amazing Thanksgiving side dish! Remember to never give up and keep on offering healthy food options to kids, they will eventually try them. Create healthy eating habits by offering lots of vegetables and cooking with fresh ingredients. Your meals will be tastier, and super nutritious, and you will feel great about giving your family good food. This vegetable-mixed casserole recipe is a fantastic side dish to encourage picky eaters to eat more veggies.

The wonderful thing about this Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe is you can use your favorite vegetable combinations. I basically used everything I had in my kitchen and the casserole came out perfect. Use your favorite veggies and make different casseroles each time. Need some inspiration? Keep reading for some delicious veggie combos!

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (2)

10 Delicious and Healthy Vegetable Combinations to Try

As I said, literally anything goes, so this recipe is an awesome way to minimize your food waste and save money by using what you have. That said, if you have nothing in your fridge or just want some ideas on how to mix things up, here are some outstanding combinations to try. Use them on their own or mix them in with some of the other veggies in my recipe. By the way, all of these ideas qualify as vegetarian casserole recipes because there’s no meat in them.

1. Portobello Mushrooms + Spinach

Portobello mushrooms are an amazing addition to any mixed vegetable casserole recipe. They’re hearty enough to replace meat and loaded with health benefits. They’re fat-free, keto-friendly, and very low in calories. Plus, one serving gives you 36% of your daily B3 and 34% of your B2 requirements.

I don’t think I have to tell you how healthy spinach is, right? If you didn’t know, it’s loaded with potassium, iron, and calcium, as well as Vitamins A, C, and B6. Together, mushrooms and spinach create a powerful combination for your mixed veggie casserole.

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (3)

2. Green Beans + Mushrooms

If you’re looking for healthy vegetarian recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes, you can’t go wrong with green beans. The mushrooms give it a wonderful “upgraded” flavor, not to mention an even healthier kick.

As for which mushrooms to use, a few varieties stand out for their exceptional flavors and textures. The cremini mushroom is perfect if you want something earthy and versatile. If you want something a bit subtler, go with oyster mushrooms. They have a velvety texture and mild flavor that balances out your vegan casserole.

3. Broccoli + Peppers + Red Onions

Did you know that broccoli may help lower your risk of bladder cancer, boost your immune system, and helps keep your gut healthy? How about the fact that peppers- especially the hotter ones- can actually help you live longer? Even red onions have properties that can help ward off cancer. In other words, this vegetable combination isn’t just tasty, it’s one of the best healthy food ideas you can find!

4. Eggplant + Squash + Tomatoes

Okay, so eggplant is technically a fruit (and so are tomatoes), but we all think of it as a veggie, so it counts! Like Portobello mushrooms, eggplant gives your casseroles the heartiness of a meat casserole minus the actual meat. Plus, it pairs well with just about anything you can think of. Try it with squash and tomatoes, plus toss in some other veggies that you have on hand. Green beans, peppers, mushrooms.. this really is an “anything goes” vegetable combination.

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (4)

5. Cauliflower +Kale

Cauliflower is one of the most versatile vegetables on the planet. Don’t believe me? Check out these15 “OMG I Didn’t Know I Could Make This With Cauliflower” Recipes! While it goes great with any combination on this list, Paula Deen pairs it with kale, leeks, and red potatoes. If you want to skip the starchy potatoes, though, toss the veggies in with some of the others from my recipe.

6. Tomato + Eggplant + Zucchini

These three veggies (or fruits) combine to create a perfect Italian-style veggie casserole. Martha Stewart recommends topping it with Gruyere cheese, but Parmesan works just as well. Her recipe also calls for polenta, but I think the eggplants and zukes give it a perfect hearty texture all on their own.

By the way, according to a 2007 study “fruity” veggies like eggplant and tomatoes can actually help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms. Something to keep in mind if you’re dealing with a bad case of pollen-induced sniffles and sneezes.

7. Carrots + Zucchini

While most veggies are best when eaten raw, studies show that cooked carrots actually have more antioxidants. A 2007 study also found that they can slow down the rate of aging. If those aren’t good enough reasons to use them in your veggie casserole, I don’t know what is! While they work well with many other vegetables, they’re particularly tasty when paired with zucchini.

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (5)

8. Sweet Potatoes + Squash

Still searching for the perfect Thanksgiving side dish? You really can’t go wrong with sweet potato goodness, especially when it’s combined with delicious butternut squash. By the way, while you can buy both of these veggies already cubed around Thanksgiving, I HIGHLY recommend just getting fresh veggies and doing it yourself. Yes, cubing sweet potatoes is a royal pain (even with a good mandolin chopper), but you’ll save SO much money. Plus, who knows where those pre-cut cubes came from and how long they’ve been sitting there?

9. Red potatoes + Peppers + Carrots

If you’re not on a low-carb diet and want to add a bit more “heartiness” to your mix, red potatoes make a wonderful addition. Why red? Honestly, it’s all about flavor. They are slightly lower in carbs…but only slightly. Not really enough to make a massive difference. They’re also higher in “resistant starch.” Basically, they resist digestion and instead ferment in your large intestine. There, they act as a sort of “prebiotic” (not a typo, they’re different than probiotics) and help make more good bacteria in your good.

10.Broccoli + Tomatoes

This one is a great combo for men’s health in particular. A 2007 study done by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that ” tomatoes and broccoli — two vegetables known for their cancer-fighting qualities — are better at shrinking prostate tumors when both are part of the daily diet than when they’re eaten alone.”

All of these ideas are already hearty enough to make them “main dish casserole recipes” without any additions. But keep reading for some ideas on making them even heartier.

What else can you put in your mixed veggie casserole?

First, let me just reiterate that you don’t have to add any other casserole ingredients to this dish if you don’t want to. It’s quite filling all on its own with just the veggies. But if you want to “upgrade” it from a vegetarian dish, or just want to stretch it even further, here are a few things you can add.

  • Quinoa- a good way to add a complete protein source while still keeping this as a vegetarian recipe
  • Shredded cheese- anything goes!
  • Crispy air-fried onions– for a nice bit of crunch
  • Apples- they go particularly well with squash and carrots
  • Mushroom, cream of chicken, or even cheddar soup (without diluting it with water). If you try this though, you may need to use more veggies so that it doesn’t turn out soupy or runny.

You can also add things like ground meat (cook it first, though), diced ham, and even sausage. Obviously, it won’t be a vegetarian recipe at that point, though.

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (6)

Tips and Tricks for Making the Perfect Vegetable Casserole Every Time

Before we finish up, I just have a few tips and tricks that will help you make the perfect veggie casserole every time. I promise to make it quick!

  • First, whenever possible, choose organic veggies. They’re just better for you overall. You don’t want to turn a healthy dish into a feast of pesticides and GMO weirdness.
  • Try to use fresh veggies as much as you can. Frozen vegetable mixes can do in a pinch, but you won’t get quite the same level of flavor from them. Again, try to buy organic frozen veggies.
  • Trying to get more vegetables into your picky kid’s diet? Make the casserole with all the veggies that they do like PLUS one that you want them to eat but that they usually won’t touch. Just slice it into smaller pieces, or even mash it up and mix it in.
  • Never underestimate the power of herbs and spices. While Parmesan is really all you need to elevate and complement the flavors in my recipe, swapping it out for a tasty herb can completely change the flavor. You can literally use the same veggies every time and still have a totally new dish just by adding in some different herbs and spices.
  • Last, I can’t say this often enough- literally any vegetable combination works well in this recipe. That’s why I love it so much! If none of the combos above appeal to you, browse the produce section and just get creative!

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (7)

Mixed Veggie Casserole Recipe

The full recipe and instructions are below. However, this is all you need for a delicious and healthy mixed vegetable casserole: veggies of any kind, eggs and parmesan cheese. Even the parm is swappable. For example, you can try Romano or Asiago instead.

Want to make this a vegan veggie casserole? Leave off the cheese and use your favorite spices instead. Most grocery stores have vegan egg substitutes now. You could also use tofu. I’ve never tried this without the eggs, though, so I can’t guarantee that it will taste the same. If you do try it with tofu or something similar, let me know how it turns out.

You can feel good about eating a nutritious meal full of health benefits. Eggs, vegetables, and a little cheese, and your family can enjoy this wonderful Healthy Vegetable Casserole right out of the oven. I made it with cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, spinach, corn, green peas, and onions. For other great vegetable dishes please see Cream Of Broccoli Cheese Soup and Zucchini And Carrot Bars.

Print

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (8)

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe

★★★★3.7 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Ursula Herrera
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Great vegetarian dish. Perfect for the entire family to enjoy as a side dish or simply by itself. Lots of veggies and nutrition!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • A little olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet, cook for about 5-7 minutes (high) the finely chopped onions with some olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Add the zucchini and cook for another 3-5 minutes in medium heat. Take the skillet out of the heat.
  4. The rest of the vegetables (except spinach) need to be steamed first for about 5-8 minutes then you can place them in the large skillet. Remember you can use any vegetables you want and add more or less according to taste.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix the 4 eggs well.
  6. Mix everything together, adding the spinach also. Place it in an oven safe casserole dish.
  7. Finally, add the parmesan cheese on top.
  8. Bake for about 15-20 minutes in the oven at 375 degrees

Notes

Any and all of the vegetables can be swapped out for others that you have on hand.

You can also swap the Parmesan cheese for other types of cheese, or leave it out entirely and add in some fresh herbs and seasonings.

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keywords: casserole, vegetable casserole, mixed vegetable casserole

Recipe Card powered byHealthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (9)

If you are interested in reading more about my blog, please take a look at mylatest articles.I am a mom blogger who loves to share creative and healthyfun foodideas. I am not a chef or have a lot of experience in the kitchen, so most of my recipes are very easy to make. What I like to do for my recipes is avoid processed foods as much as possible because I believe homemade food is always the best choice.

Related

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Casserole Recipe (+ 10 Variations) (2024)

FAQs

Should I cook frozen vegetables before putting in a casserole? ›

The first question most people ask about cooking with frozen vegetables is whether they need to be thawed before use, and in most cases the answer is a resounding NO! Adding frozen veggies to your pot, baking dish, or sauté pan while they're still frozen will generally yield the best result.

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep vegetables ahead of time. Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add a starch. NIKCOA/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Experiment with pasta or grains. Pidjoe/Getty Images. ...
  4. Take the lid off. ...
  5. Drain fat from meat. ...
  6. Choose a dry or low-fat cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle seeds into your bake. ...
  8. Remove excess liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

How to thicken casserole in the oven? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

How to add moisture to a dry casserole? ›

If you've already cooked your casserole and find out it's too dry, another easy fix is to warm some broth and then pour it over the top of your casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the liquid from evaporating and wait for 10 minutes or so before serving.

Should I saute vegetables before adding to casserole? ›

While certain vegetables can work just fine added directly to simmering soups and stews (say, carrots and celery), other vegetables (onions, garlic, and the like) will almost always need at least a brief sweat in a fat-based liquid before adding the remaining ingredients.

What do you need to avoid when preparing frozen vegetables? ›

For the best tasting veggies rotate through your stash regularly and follow these tips for cooking them just right.
  1. Do Not Thaw. Unless otherwise stated in a recipe, do not thaw frozen vegetables before using. ...
  2. Avoid Overcooking. ...
  3. Limit Water to Prevent Mushy Veggies. ...
  4. Add Frozen Vegetables to Various Dishes.
Feb 2, 2023

Should you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

Uncovering the foods promotes browning and crisping, and reduces the amount of liquid in the finished dish. If a casserole looks soupy when it's ready to bake, bake it uncovered unless the ingredients include pasta or rice, which absorb liquid.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

Do you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Try a drizzle of good olive oil or an herb oil once it's out of the oven. Fat carries flavor, which is why so many restaurant chefs finish dishes with a twirl of extra virgin or a sprinkle of chive oil.

What does cornstarch do in a casserole? ›

Use as a Thickening Agent

Here's how it works: when cornstarch is added to a recipe, the starch molecules work to absorb water and thicken the mixture. When heated, those molecules swell and consume even more of the liquid in the recipe.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

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. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

How to make a casserole less rich? ›

If your food is too rich...

Add an acid such as lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, or pickled vegetables (such as jalapeños).

Can you put frozen vegetables in a casserole? ›

Both fresh and canned vegetables work better in casseroles than the frozen ones do, though, certain fresh varieties (mainly hardier veggies like carrots and potatoes) will require more precooking. Not doing so will result in an overly crunchy texture that won't mesh well with the rest of the casserole.

Can you put frozen vegetables directly in the oven? ›

No need to the thaw the frozen vegetables. They can go from freezer to oven, but make sure to follow the directions and coat with oil and seasonings. Also, if any veggies are stuck together, make sure to separate before putting in the oven.

Is it better to cook vegetables frozen or thawed? ›

Most of the time, you don't need to thaw frozen vegetables before cooking with them—but it depends on what you're making. For soups, stews and pastas, you can toss still frozen vegetables right into the pot. These dishes can withstand some extra moisture, and the warmth will thaw out the veggies.

Do frozen veggies need to be cooked? ›

Frozen vegetables should be cooked according to package instructions. Frozen fruit, however, is ready to eat (RTE). Most frozen foods are intended to be cooked and the safest way to consume is to carefully follow the package cooking or preparation instructions.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 5616

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.