6 Low-Carb Casseroles Perfect for Cozy Meals

November 13, 2023

Courtesy of How to This and That

‘Tis the season for stuffing, sweet potatoes, and squash — which, if you’re on a keto or paleo diet, or just trying to watch your carb intake, can present quite a conundrum. The good news? Comfort food doesn’t have to be loaded with carbohydrates. In fact, we’ve rounded up a bunch of low-carb casseroles that are perfect for chilly days.

One of the easiest ways to adapt any casserole recipe for a low-carb diet is to simply replace the grains or starches with vegetables and proteins. For example, zucchini and eggplant are phenomenal substitutes for pasta, and cauliflower works well in place of potatoes.

Need some inspiration? With these hearty yet low-carb recipes, you can have your casserole and eat it, too.

1. Delicata Squash Bake with Tahini Sauce

Winter squashes — particularly butternut and acorn — are notorious for being high in carbohydrates. But like spaghetti squash, delicata squash clocks in around just 7 to 9 grams per 1/2 cup serving. As an added bonus, the skin is edible — and gets super tender with roasting.

This savory-yet-sweet squash bake is bursting with texture, color, and flavor, thanks to juicy pomegranate arils, crunchy hazelnuts, creamy tahini sauce, and peppery parsley. Just be sure to use keto-friendly maple syrup for the dressing.

Try the recipe from The Minimalist Baker.

2. Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Bursting with crispy bacon, nutty gruyere, parmesan cheese, and fresh chives, this keto-friendly cauliflower casserole tastes like a loaded baked potato — without all the carbs. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish, but it’s also a tasty side for turkey tips or short ribs.

Also, this recipe cuts down on fat and calories by calling for reduced-fat cream cheese and nonfat plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream.

Try the recipe from Well Plated.

3. Low-Carb Zucchini Lasagna

Because this gluten-free lasagna recipe substitutes sliced zucchini for noodles, it’s significantly lower in carbs. Plus, it offers a great way to sneak veggies into your family’s diet — they’ll hardly notice them when they’re smothered in lots of cheese and turkey meat sauce.

Fun fact: Zucchini is high in water, which can create a lot of unwanted moisture during the cooking process. But fortunately, this recipe has a helpful hack: just pre-baking the zucchini for 15 to 20 minutes can dry it out.

Try the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

4. Spaghetti Squash Casserole

This Italian-inspired casserole recipe might take over an hour to prepare — but we promise it’s worth the wait.

With garlicky basil pesto, gooey pockets of mozzarella cheese, tangy artichoke hearts, and sundried tomatoes, it packs quite a flavorful punch. Not only is it vegetarian, but it’s also gluten-free. Plus, there are just under 5 grams of carbs per serving.

Try the recipe from A Couple Cooks.

5. Cauliflower Casserole

Who needs mac and cheese when you have this rich and creamy low-carb alternative? Not only is it super easy to make with just a few ingredients, but it’s also loaded with fiber-packed veggies. With just a couple of swaps, it can also be made gluten-free, low-calorie, and vegan.

Make it keto simply by substituting one-third cup of cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese) or almond flour for the all-purpose flour.

Try the recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie.

6. Keto Stuffing

This stuffing recipe may be low in carbs, but it’s definitely not low in flavor. Whether you serve it alongside a roasted turkey or some other plant-based dishes, it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser.

You can use any low-carb bread for this recipe. For best results, use fresh herbs — and consider adding some chopped onion to the veggie mixture.

Try the recipe from How To This And That.