45 Low-Cal Casserole Recipes

Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole

One of our favorite comfort food dinners is spaghetti and meatballs. We’re crazy about this lightened-up, healthier version featuring so many veggies. The same beloved flavors with more nutritious ingredients! — Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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Ham and Swiss Casserole

When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it's always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas

Shrimp & Crab Casserole

This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Ole Polenta Casserole

With plenty of ground beef and cheese, this layered bake goes over big on the dinner table. Adjust the amount of hot pepper sauce to suit your taste.—Angela Biggin, Lyons, Illinois

Inside-Out Stuffed Peppers

My daughters don’t care for the usual green peppers stuffed with a meat-and-rice mixture, so one of the girls dreamed up this alternative. The peppers are simply chopped and combined with the other ingredients in a casserole. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Dinner in a Bag

I get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake

I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri

Broccoli Tuna Casserole

When I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my "family" away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio

Angel Hair Shrimp Bake

Shrimp pairs beautifully with the herbs, salsa and three kinds of cheese in this baked angel hair pasta casserole. The shrimp make this dish special enough for a guests, but your family is sure to enjoy it, too. —Susan Davidson, Elm Grove, Wisconsin

Perfect Four-Cheese Lasagna

Lasagna is one of my favorites, and this is the recipe I’ve been making since I was a teenager. It’s a tantalizing combo of pasta, meat sauce, cheese and more cheese that really lives up to its name! —Lauren Delaney-Wallace, Glen Carbon, Illinois

Unstuffed Peppers

If you like stuffed peppers, you'll love this speedy version. It offers all the comforting flavor of the original, but takes just half an hour. Instead of cooking the instant rice, you can use 2 cups leftover cooked rice if you have it on hand. —Beth Dewyer, Du Bois, Pennsylvania

Roasted Vegetable Strata

With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use some of what we have. Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia

Pork and Green Chile Casserole

I work at a local hospital and another job part time, so I'm always on the lookout for good, quick recipes to fix for my family. Some of my co-workers and I exchange recipes. This zippy casserole is one that was brought to a picnic at my house. People raved over it. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio

Tuna Mushroom Casserole

I love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite. —Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California

Southwest Vegetarian Bake

This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. It's a healthy canned vegetable recipe that's perfect anytime I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois

Aberdeen Beef Pie

When set in the middle of the table, this hearty beef pie is the center of attention. With chunks of tender beef and tasty vegetables under a flaky pastry crust, this pure comfort food will welcome your family home. —Peggy Goodrich, Enid, Oklahoma

Oven-Baked Shrimp & Grits

On chilly days, I doctor up grits and top them with shrimp for a comfy meal. If you’re not a seafood lover, use chicken, ham or both. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska

Southwestern Casserole

I've been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole recipe for years. It tastes wonderful, fits nicely into our budget and, best of all, makes a second one to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Turkey Spaghetti Casserole

My mom made this creamy and comforting dish while I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple yet tasty meal. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio

Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini

This creamy, comforting casserole makes a fantastic way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And it’s a real family-pleaser! —Linda Howe, Lisle, Illinois.

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

What's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole—especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing potluck favorite to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Mac 'n' Cheese Dinner

Don’t settle for ordinary mac and cheese. This version is my kids’ favorite, so I always make a huge pot. It’s an easy recipe to cut down or double (or triple!). It can also be made into a low-fat recipe if you use nonfat milk, reduced-fat cheeses and lean ham. —Raymond James, Port Orchard, Washington

Beef Noodle Casserole

This beef noodle casserole is perfect when there's a busy day coming up, because you can prepare it ahead of time. It's ideal for a potluck, too. The flavors blend together to create a delicious combination. —Grace Lema, Winton, California

Cabbage Roll Casserole

I layer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia

Meatballs Sausage Dinner

One day I was having trouble deciding what to make for dinner, so I combined whatever was in the refrigerator and freezer. To my surprise, everyone loved it! —Elizabeth Martz, Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

This is a rich and tasty combination of all the Tex-Mex dishes blended into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in only half an hour! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio

Zucchini Lasagna

We plant zucchini every year and always seem to have more than we can use! This hearty zucchini lasagna is a delicious way to use an abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois

Creamy Turkey Casserole

I sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for the casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota

Fiesta Chicken

Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty main dish. It's a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota

Vegetable Beef Casserole

This easy one-dish recipe has been a family favorite ever since my husband's aunt handed it down to me decades ago. Try using whatever vegetables you have on hand. A simple salad goes nicely with this entree. —Evangeline Rew, Manassas, Virginia

Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole

This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois

Baked Beef Tacos

This taco recipe takes classic taco ingredients and gives them a fresh approach by baking the shells upright in refried beans and tomatoes. The bottom gets soft, and the top stays crisp and crunchy. —Patricia Stagich, Elizabeth, New Jersey

Beef & Tater Bake

The entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner. Plus, it offers easy cleanup! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio

Roast Beef with Chive Roasted Potatoes

It’s hard to believe that last night’s beef roast could get any better, but it shines in this heartwarming dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Mexican Turkey Skillet

This family-friendly main dish with turkey, black beans and vegetables has a rich Mexican flavor that may seem indulgent, but it’s delightfully light. Created by our Test Kitchen, it cooks in one skillet, so it’s a snap to clean up for a weeknight supper.

Pork Spanish Rice

My family wasn't fond of pork roast until I used it in this yummy casserole.—Betty Unrau, MacGregor, Manitoba

Pastry-Topped Turkey Casserole

My friends tell me this is the best potpie. Hearty and full-flavored, this meal-in-one never lets on that it’s low fat and full of fiber. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky

Layered Beef Casserole

On my busy days, I treasure meal-in-one recipes like this. Toss together a salad and dinner is ready in no time. —Dorothy Wiedeman, Eaton, Colorado

Blend of the Bayou

My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Chili Mac Casserole

This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota

Church Supper Spaghetti

Because this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana

Makeover Tater-Topped Casserole

I love Tater Tot casserole, but wanted a lighter version of the recipe. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen slashed the fat in this classic dish, while keeping all the Tots my family loves. Who know you could have healthy Tater Tots?! —Scott Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Chicken Amandine

With colorful green beans and pimientos, this attractive casserole is terrific for the holidays. This is true comfort food at its finest. —Kat Woolbright, Wichita Falls, Texas