10 Comforting Plant-Based Casseroles and Bakes for an Easy Dinner – One Green Planet

There is something very comforting about a big bowl of casserole.  It seems to have the taste and feeling of home cooking and brings with it memories of dinner at grandmas.

Casseroles and bakes are so easy to make as they are usually a one-pot wonder that you can throw into the oven and forget about (for an hour or so at least).  Big chunks of veggies, maybe some pasta, vegan cheese, and some kind of protein combine to make a meal of comfort food that is just perfect for a Sunday lunch or mid-week dinner.

Before, we get started, here are some great cookware and serveware suggestion?

Casseroles are great for using lingering veggies, and can be made to last the week if you make enough!  Leftover casserole and bakes are the best.

1.  Lancashire Hotpot

Source: Lancashire Hotpot

Thank goodness for this vegan version of this hearty classic Britsh dish.  This Lancashire Hotpot by Aimee Ryan is filled with jackfruit as a meat substitute, onions, carrots, and oyster mushrooms for extra texture and savory flavor.  Slices of potato cover the top and are baked until golden brown and crispy at the edges. Serve with some crusty bread for mopping.

2.  Potpie Noodle Casserole

Source: Potpie Noodle Casserole

This Potpie Noodle Casserole recipe by Jenn Sebestyen and Kelli Foster gives you all the elements and flavors of a traditional pot pie without the hassle of rolling out pastry.  A crumbly, garlic breadcrumb topping is all you need for this hearty casserole.  The pie is filled with chunky veggies and pasta noodles. This makes a great one-pot family dinner.

3.  Brown Rice Casserole with Curry Butternut Squash

Source:  Brown Rice Casserole with Curry Butternut Squash

Here is a wonderful recipe for a hearty, gluten-free dinner.  Warm spices make this Brown Rice Casserole with Curry Butternut Squash by Elaine Lander the perfect cozy meal to have on a chilly evening.  Chickpeas give you plenty of protein while the butternut squash keeps things seasonal.

4.  Perfect Ratatouille

Source: Perfect Ratatouille

Sure, ratatouille is a kind of casserole in that veggies are baked together in the oven in a rich sauce.  Check out this recipe for the Perfect Ratatouille by Nora Schlesinger.  Traditional Mediterranean veggies are brought together in tomato sauce and traditional herbs for the ultimate bake.  Mop up every last bit with a tear of crusty French bread.

5.  Cheesy Pasta Bake

Source: Cheesy Pasta Bake

Simple, filling, and delicious, pasta bakes are just the ticket for a cheap and easy meal.  Have a look at this recipe for a Cheesy Pasta Bake by Namrata Edward Kshitij.  Potatoes, cashews, carrots, and nutritional yeast make up the cheesy sauce that is poured over pasta noodles.  A herby breadcrumb topping then covers the whole thing before being popped into the oven to crisp up.

6.  Pizza Supreme Casserole

Source: Pizza Supreme Casserole

Get all the flavors of your favorite pizza in this recipe for Pizza Supreme Casserole by Sarah Nevins.  Nothing is missing from this hearty bake.  You’ve got the mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, oregano, and olive oil all mixed up with tender pasta noodles and marinara sauce.  Cover your pasta with vegan mozzarella and bake until bubbly!

7.  Enchilada Lasagna

Source: Enchilada Lasagna

Get your enchiladas, lasagne, and a casserole-style meal in one with this Enchilada Lasagna by Kristen Genton.  Corn tortillas are used in place of the pasta sheets to make this an ideal gluten-free option.  Layer your tortillas with homemade enchilada sauce, vegan cheese, and potatoes.  This is a great recipe if you have a bunch of people to feed.

8.  Cheesy Baked Pasta

Source: Cheesy Baked Pasta

Here is another Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe, this time by Kristina Humphreys.  This recipe creates a bake that is creamy and crispy all at the same time.  Chunks of sourdough bread add texture and bulk to your bake, and a creamy, cheesy sauce bubbles on top for that perfect finish.

9.  Cheesy Broccoli, Quinoa, and White Bean Bake

Source: Cheesy Broccoli, Quinoa, and White Bean Bake

This Cheesy Broccoli, Quinoa, and White Bean Bake by Allie Penner is a wonderfully protein-packed bake that is perfect served with a side of your favorite greens. Quinoa, veggies, and beans are mixed into a rich and creamy sweet potato and tahini sauce.  Top your bake with sunflower parmesan sprinkles for an extra cheesy flavor.

10.  Blueberry-Banana and Praline French Toast Casserole

Source: Blueberry-Banana and Praline French Toast Casserole

No one said casseroles had to be savory, right?  Well, Linda Soper-Kolton and Sara Boan break any such rule with this Blueberry-Banana and Praline French Toast Casserole.  This would make a perfect holiday breakfast or a fancy weekend celebratory brunch.  Get yourself a huge spoonful and serve it with homemade ice cream or yogurt.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental well-being, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

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