Chilly weather is here and that means it’s casserole time. Casseroles are classically heavy in meat and dairy. But just because you’re leaving out animal-based products doesn’t mean you need to leave out meat, butter, and cheese. Here are some tips, tricks, and of course — vegan casserole recipes.
Vegan Casserole Tips
Look for vegan versions of meat you would traditionally feature in casseroles. There are plenty of options for vegan ground beef, from MorningStar Farms to Beyond Meat, Gardein, and BOCA. Depending on where you live, you might even find Impossible Meat’s ground beef.
For cheese, you can try making your own. A lot of the recipes below feature dairy-free cheese sauce made from cashews blended with tapioca starch, which helps give it an authentic melty texture. If you’d rather buy cheese, then try vegan cheese brands like Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Violife, Good Planet, Miyoko’s Creamery, and more.
For butter, look for Earth Balance, Flora, Miyoko’s Creamery, and FabaButter. Even Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter have vegan options now.
Vegan Meat Casseroles
Whether you’re looking to eat less meat or seeking recipe inspiration, these meaty vegan casseroles will hit the spot.
1. Vegan Meat and Potatoes Casserole
Simple, delicious, and hearty. This vegan meat and potatoes casserole is a soul-warming dish made for chilly evenings. Yukon gold potatoes, plant-based beef, and fire-roasted tomatoes cook with onions, garlic, and fresh thyme for the ultimate comfort food.
Get the recipe here.
2. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
This vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with a meaty filling made from soy mince and mushrooms — plus, plenty of carrots and peas. It’s blanketed with a creamy, dairy-free mashed potato topping that browns in the oven as it bakes.
Get the recipe here.
3. Vegan Chicken Tetrazzini
Tetrazzini is a classic American casserole traditionally made with chicken and mushrooms in a buttery cream sauce. This vegan version lets the mushrooms stay and swaps chicken for soy curls. The dish is enveloped in a delicious dairy-free sauce, and topped with crunchy panko bread crumbs and vegan mozzarella
Get the recipe here.
4. Vegan Beef Pot Pie Casserole
This recipe features Gardein Beefless Tips cooked in a rich vegan gravy with carrots, peas, potatoes, cauliflower, and corn. Its topped with a dairy-free cheesy biscuit topping to soak up all the gravy.
Get the recipe here.
5. Vegan Moussaka
This vegan version of the popular Greek casserole is just perfect with lentil “meat.” It’s topped with a dairy-free bechamel sauce made from vegan butter, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast.
Get the recipe here.
Vegan Cheese Casseroles
Cheese — the shining star of most casseroles. If you’re going the dairy-free route, you don’t have to miss out on a ridiculously cheesy meal. Here are some vegan cheese casseroles to try.
5. Vegan Enchilada Casserole
This meatless casserole is also gluten-free and oil-free. Tortillas are layered with a red enchilada sauce, corn, black beans, peppers, and a homemade chipotle cheddar sauce.
Get the recipe here.
6. Vegan Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Made with only eight ingredients, this vegan cheesy casserole is as simple as can be. Just add everything to a pan, bake, and serve! It’s packed with wholesome ingredients like rice, chickpeas, broccoli, and a homemade dairy-free cheese sauce. No need to cook the rice ahead of time — all the magic happens in the pan.
Get the recipe here.
7. Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
This vegan mac and cheese is perfection — a golden, crispy topping with cheesy macaroni underneath. Cashews and butternut squash are the secrets to the velvety, dairy-free cheese sauce.
Get the recipe here.
8. Vegan Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
How do you make cauliflower even better? Put it in vegan cheese sauce, cover it with breadcrumbs, and bake it in the oven until you have a warm, comforting veggie dish that you won’t believe is dairy-free.
Get the recipe here.
9. Vegan Chili Mac Casserole
Black beans, kidney beans, cilantro, chili powder, and tomatoes take this vegan mac and cheese to the next level. Remember to add cilantro!
Get the recipe here.
10. Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
Make dinnertime extra special with this wholesome vegan eggplant parmesan. It features homemade vegan parmesan made from cashew and hemp seeds and melty, dairy-free mozzarella.
Get the recipe here.
11. Vegan Baked Ziti
This vegan baked ziti is a crowd-pleaser, featuring layers of homemade tomato sauce, cashew mozzarella sauce, and plenty of pasta.
Get the recipe here.
Vegan Vegetable Casseroles & More
Looking for more vegan casserole ideas? Look no further.
12. Vegan Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole is a comfort (and potluck) classic. This vegan version features Good Catch Foods plant-based tuna in a creamy, umami cashew-and-potato sauce with broccoli, mushrooms, and crunchy breadcrumbs.
Get the recipe here.
13. Black Bean Potato Enchiladas
These enchiladas are a perfect make-ahead meal. Packed with black beans, potatoes, and topped with enchilada sauce and a creamy avocado sauce, they’re sure to hit the spot.
Get the recipe here.
14. Teriyaki Tofu Tempeh Casserole
This unique vegan casserole is a delicious, Asian cuisine-inspired dish packed with tofu, tempeh, veggies, and rice cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce.
Get the recipe here.
15. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a classic casserole. Vegetables and tomatoes take center stage in this vegan dish. It also makes for a great freezer-friendly make-ahead meal.
Get the recipe here.
