16 Cozy Casseroles For When You've Eaten Too Much Sugar
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
So you've eaten too much sugar. Don't beat yourself up—we've all been there. While you might be tempted to do some over-the-top liquid detox diet, there's no need for that. Nourish your body instead, with healthy whole foods and plenty of water.
These casserole recipes—from dinner mains to veggie sides—can help you return to a healthy eating pattern with ease. Plus, they feature anti-inflammatory ingredients like whole grains, vegetables, eggs and herbs and spices so you help fight the pesky symptoms of inflammation and excess sugar consumption, including mental fog, digestive distress and high blood pressure.
Recipes like our Stovetop Chicken & Broccoli Casserole and No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole are delicious and comforting ways to get back on track—and you won't even miss the sugar.
Stovetop Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
We trimmed 9 grams of fat and almost 100 calories in this makeover of cheesy chicken-and-broccoli casserole. All the raw ingredients are layered in a skillet, then simmered for a quick weeknight dinner.
No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole
Instead of loading up this comfort food side dish with tons of brown sugar and marshmallows, we've turned to sweet spices, vanilla and inherently sweet dried fruit to enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. A topping of pecans and pepitas replaces the traditional marshmallow topping to keep it healthy and add texture and color for a beautiful casserole.
Spinach & Artichoke Casserole with Chicken and Cauliflower Rice
This high-protein chicken casserole has a creamy spinach-and-artichoke dip vibe, and clocks in right around 400 calories to help you end your day feeling satisfied—not starved or overly full.
Cheesy Corn Casserole
This cheesy corn casserole is surprisingly light and fluffy, thanks to eggs and a whirl in the blender. The sweet corn batter and salty Cheddar cheese make this casserole pleasing to kids and adults alike.
EatingWell's Eggplant Parmesan
Here we bake breaded eggplant for crispy results with fewer calories. The ooey gooey mozzarella in this dish just ups the comfort and taste level and leaves you satisfied and full.
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
You'll never want to eat roasted cauliflower any other way once you try this tasty recipe. Bacon, sour cream and sharp Cheddar cheese coat good-for-you cauliflower in deliciousness for an easy side that will make everyone want to eat their vegetables.
Spinach, Mushroom & Egg Casserole
This delightful spinach, mushroom and egg casserole is layered with earthy cooked mushrooms and baby spinach, fluffy eggs and nutty cave-aged Gruyère that deepens the flavor. Serve this easy casserole with a green salad on the side.
Chicken-Noodle Casserole
Flavorful Chicken-Noodle Casserole comes to life with this diabetes-appropriate recipe. Select light sour cream to lower fat and calorie content.
Caprese Zucchini Casserole
You can use zucchini or summer squash in this caprese-style casserole—or a combination of the two. A sprinkling of fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar just before serving brightens up the flavors. Serve with grilled or roasted chicken and some quinoa, rice or couscous to soak up the juices from the casserole for a satisfying and easy dinner.
Cheesy Roasted Eggplant Skillet Casserole
Layers of tender eggplant, creamy white beans, ricotta and marinara combine to create a flavorful skillet casserole. Serve this hearty casserole directly from the skillet for a fun presentation. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.
Tomato Gratin
A gratin is any dish topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated until browned—but it needn't be heavy. This one has plenty of garden-fresh tomatoes and herbs, a touch of full-flavored cheese and a crispy crumb topping.
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Strands of tender squash replace pasta for a more flavorful version of spaghetti pie casserole. Not to mention, spaghetti squash is a low-carb alternative to pasta and saves more than 150 calories per serving compared to a traditional recipe. A sprinkling of nutty fontina cheese melts into a gooey topping.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Now everyone can enjoy classic favorites, like this dairy-free green bean casserole. We make a homemade vegan cream of mushroom soup using almond milk for the creamy base that's combined with fresh green beans. Top it off with classic French- fried onions (we have a vegan recipe for that, too!) for a side dish everyone will devour.
Sheet-Pan Eggs with Spinach & Ham
Who says eggs are just for breakfast? This cozy casserole combines eggs, cheese, ham and spinach and comes together in just 45 minutes—perfect for any time of day.
Gruyère Potato Casserole
The potatoes are perfectly tender in this easy Gruyère potato casserole. The cheese gets brown and crispy on the top and sides and the herbs add a nice accent to this savory dish.
Wild Mushroom & Polenta Casserole
In this vegetarian polenta casserole recipe, the choice of cheese is as important as which wild mushroom you use. Morel or hen of the woods (maitake) mushrooms give a more "meaty" experience, while chanterelle or cremini mushrooms will have a milder flavor. The polenta recipe calls for rich, nutty Taleggio or fontina cheese, but you can also use a good-quality washed rind cheese like Brie or Gouda.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
