Top 2 Healthy Casseroles for this Holiday Season


healthy casserole
Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Like many of you, I stress during the holidays and wonder how I can enjoy myself to the fullest, without letting myself go. Healthy casseroles have been one of my go-to’s.

With the joyful holiday season in full swing, many people are looking for recipes that will be both festive and healthy. A casserole is a great way to combine healthy ingredients in one dish, given its versatility. Today, I will give you two recipes to help you create delicious and healthy casseroles for the upcoming holiday season.

Why Casserole?

First of all, why casserole? Because why not!

A casserole is a great way to combine multiple ingredients in one dish! Do you like to diversify your diet? Check. Do you want something with a lot of flavors? No problem! Do you like meat and veggies both at the same time? You can have it!

Casseroles are also excellent for meal prepping and leftovers, so you don’t have to cook every night. Plus, they don’t require much time or effort to put together. Best of all, casseroles are typically very filling due to their mix of proteins, carbs, and vegetables.

Ready to get started? Here are three recipes for you to try this holiday season.

Recipe #1: Low Carb Yellow Squash Casserole

Low Carb Yellow Squash Casserole is just perfect for the holidays. This dish is full of healthy vegetables, low in carbs, and filled with flavor. Here’s the list of what you need:

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups yellow squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp butter
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup raw almonds, finely chopped
  • 1 cup Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipped cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup roasted and salted almonds, coarsely chopped

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add olive oil and butter. Add onion and garlic, then cook for about 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in squash, salt, and pepper. Cover the skillet and occasionally stir until squash is tender about 5 minutes. Transfer the squash mixture to a clean and dry bowl.
  3. Mix almonds and the Colby-Monterey Jack cheese in a separate bowl, then pour into the squash mixture.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk eggs and cream together until well blended, then pour the egg mixture into the squash mixture. Stir to combine.
  5. Pour the squash mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, then top it with the almond-cheese mixture.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven until the crumbs are golden brown, for about 25-30 minutes.

You can absolutely use other veggies for this recipe. You can use zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower as a great alternative to squash or mix them all. The fun part about this recipe is that you can definitely make it your own. Mix and match ingredients to find what works best for you.

Recipe #2: Healthy Broccoli Cheese Bake

Even the children will enjoy this delicious and healthy broccoli cheese bake. Broccoli is rich in fiber and vitamins, while the cheese adds some protein. Here’s what you need to make this comforting dish:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ tsp salt, divided
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 6 tbsps of all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups low-fat (1%) milk, heated
  • ½ cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup Romano cheese, shredded
  • 7 cups of frozen broccoli florets, thawed, well drained on a paper towel
  • 1 cup fresh whole-grain bread crumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter, cut into bits

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then stir onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, salt, and black pepper. Stir frequently until the mixture browns, about 12 to 15 minutes.
  4. Add and sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 more minute. Add the remaining salt and milk, then stir until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add cheddar, romano cheese, then the broccoli. Put the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle over some bread crumbs and the remaining romano cheese – dot with butter.
  7. Bake until the crumbs are golden and the casserole bubbles for about 40 minutes. Do not cover the dish, and cool for 5 minutes before serving.

You can use any cheese, such as mozzarella, Gruyère, Parmesan or even blue cheese. Feel free to experiment with different varieties and combinations to customize this dish according to your preferences.

Conclusion

Casseroles are a great way to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal, even without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. This low-carb yellow squash casserole and healthy broccoli cheese bake are a perfect example of easy-to-make and full of flavor. Plus, it’s loaded with nutritious vegetables and a good source of protein.

The possibilities are endless when making casseroles, so don’t be afraid to explore different ingredients and flavors, so you can feel good about serving them to your family.

You can make these delicious meals with simple instructions and a few ingredients in no time. Enjoy!

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