Our Best Meatless Casseroles That Are Hearty Enough To Be the Main Dish

Southern Living Editors

Thu, September 20, 2012 at 4:30 PM UTC

5 min read

*Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos*

Southerners truly know how to make-do and make good with the produce from their gardens, and these delicious vegetarian casseroles prove just how delectable meatless recipes can be. Our meatless casseroles are hearty enough to be the star of your meal. From a Zucchini Lasagna with a gorgeous woven zucchini-lattice top to the subtle flavors of feta in our Eggplant Parmesan, these casserole recipes all celebrate fresh vegetables. Southerners know that there's no better occasion than the summertime to whip up a Squash Casserole, and our rendition is both easy and satisfying.

Our rich recipes for Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole and French Onion Soup Casserole create warm, filling dishes, while the recipe for Butternut Squash Bread Pudding shows how the vegetables in your pantry can become a dinnertime feast. No matter the season, enjoy the bounty of fresh produce and devour one of these mouthwatering vegetarian casseroles today.

French Onion Soup Casserole

*Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox*

Recipe: French Onion Soup Casserole

We turned the classic soup into a comforting casserole that also happens to be the perfect meatless main dish for any cold day. You can save time by slicing the onions one day in advance of cooking and store them in the refrigerator overnight.

Okra and Rice Casserole

*Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham*

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

Sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs give this colorful casserole plenty of flavor. When picking out the okra for your casserole. smaller pods that are 3 to 4 inches long will be the most tender.

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

This creamy, cheesy dish comes together in just 30 minutes and will convince even the pickiest family members to eat their greens. Pre-chopped kale will help cut down prep time even more.

Reunion Pea Casserole

*Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox*

Recipe: Reunion Pea Casserole

Even though this recipe calls for Italian sausage, you can make it without for a hearty and veggie-packed casserole that will be just as beautiful as the original.

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

*Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall*

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Veggies are easier to eat when they're in the company of homemade macaroni and cheese.

Lasagna Roll-Ups

Recipe: Lasagna Roll Ups

Take a great dish, put it in roll form, and it automatically becomes ten times more popular. You can also make this dish your own with the veggie additions of your choice.

Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

Recipe: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

The blend of sweet potato, cauliflower, and greens is unique—it's almost as though three of our favorite sides got together to revolutionize dinner.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Just skip the last ingredient for a meatless spin and this vegetarian casserole will become your family's new favorite breakfast.

Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

*Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall*

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

The addition of tomatoes turns macaroni and cheese into an acceptable main dish the whole family will love. Make sure to shred the cheese yourself for the creamiest results.

Green Bean Lasagna

*Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck*

Recipe: Green Bean Lasagna

Top this casserole with crushed buttery crackers and French fried onions and you will wonder how you ever enjoyed your green bean casserole any other way. This will be the update that will become your go-to family classic casserole for years to come.

Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna

Recipe: Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna

This top-rated spinach-ravioli lasagna uses convenience items, like store-bought pesto sauce, jarred Alfredo sauce, and frozen cheese-filled ravioli to deliver a delicious main dish with little time and effort on your part.

Eggplant Parmesan with Feta

Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan with Feta

Adding feta to traditional eggplant Parmesan takes the flavor up a notch—scratch that—it takes the flavor up several notches. To lighten up the dish a bit, you can substitute part-skim for ricotta cheese in the recipe, if you'd like. The result will be just as creamy and delicious.

Fresh Vegetable Lasagna

Recipe: Fresh Vegetable Lasagna

This vegetable lasagna showcases a plethora of fresh veggies from zucchini to mushrooms to red and yellow bell peppers. It's fresh and flavorful, a great twist on a traditional lasagna that's sure to please.

Spinach-and-Herb Pastatta

Recipe: Spinach-and-Herb Pastatta

We'd like to introduce you to the pastatta. It is a comforting, hearty, beyond delicious casserole that's a unique cross between baked pasta and a frittata.

Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna

Recipe: Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna

Fresh basil, zucchini, and spinach are baked with both ricotta and flavored cream cheese for a hearty casserole that packs a real punch of flavor. No-boil lasagna noodles will help you get this dish on the table in no time.