14 Easy Paleo Recipes: The Best Paleo Casseroles

Paleo Dinner Recipes with Chicken

This easy paleo casserole is made from a savory combination of shredded chicken, sausage, and hatch chile peppers. A creamy sauce helps to bind this Paleo Hatch Chile Casserole all together.

Gluten-Free Chicken Enchiladas

These gluten-free, paleo-friendly Chicken Enchiladas make for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal. Even those without dietary restrictions will gobble up these Gluten-Free Chicken Enchiladas.

Paleo Chicken "Spaghetti"

This paleo casserole makes use of spaghetti squash so that you can enjoy a tasty "pasta" dish without all of the carbs. Tender chicken is combined with tomatoes, a creamy mushroom sauce, and spaghetti squash to make this Paleo Chicken "Spaghetti".

Homemade Paleo Chicken Pot Pie

You can still enjoy classic comfort food, even when following the paleo diet. Homemade Paleo Chicken Pot Pie is so delicious, you won't want to go back to a traditional pot pie recipe.

Paleo Dinner Ideas with Beef, Turkey, and Pork

Eggplant Pizza Casserole

Now you can enjoy a tasty pizza casserole even though you are on a paleo diet. Eggplant replaces the grains in this easy Eggplant Pizza Casserole.

Mashed Cauliflower Paleo Shepherd's Pie

Because the topping of this casserole is made from mashed cauliflower, you can enjoy this Paleo Shepherd's Pie without feeling guilty. The mashed cauliflower has the same texture as mashed potatoes, but it is infinitely better for you.

Paleo Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Keeping a paleo diet doesn't mean that you have to deny yourself pizza! This Paleo Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is one the best paleo casseroles out there.

Skillet Paleo Casserole for Two

This easy, one-pot meal is perfect for when you need a quick meal. Made with ground turkey, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes, this easy paleo recipe will fill you up without weighing you down.

Paleo Vegetable Casserole Recipes

Paleo Green Bean Casserole Recipe

This paleo version of traditional green bean casserole will satisfy your comfort food cravings. This recipe is much healthier because, instead of a heavy cream sauce, this casserole is made with pureed cauliflower. When following a new diet, it can be difficult to give up the foods you loved, but this recipe proves you can have the best of both worlds.

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

If you are looking for easy side dish paleo casserole recipes, look no further than this recipe for Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes offer an unusual but delicious twist on traditional scalloped potatoes.

Special Green Bean Casserole

This recipe for Special Green Bean Casserole makes a great side dish to share with friends and family at your next party or holiday gathering because it is gluten-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly. This green bean casserole recipe is sure to become one your favorite easy paleo recipes.

Paleo Casserole Recipes for Dessert

Coconut Banana Bake

If you are craving something sweet but don't want to break your paleo habits, try making this Coconut Banana Bake. This paleo dessert recipe combines sliced bananas with shredded coconut for a refreshing tropical treat.

Pecan Pie Fudge Bars

It's easier than ever to maintain your paleo diet while also satisfying your sweet tooth with this recipe for Pecan Pie Fudge Bars. Pecan pie filling is combined with a fudgy crust and chocolate sauce to make these amazing paleo dessert bars.

4-Minute Paleo Mug Cake

This mini dessert casserole is the perfect guilt-free indulgence. Coconut flour, maple syrup, and vanilla add the perfect amount of sweetness to this simple mug dessert. You can also dress up this cake with sliced strawberries or your favorite kind of fresh fruit.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The paleo diet attempts to recreate the diet and some of the behaviors of our prehistoric ancestors, or cavemen, which is why this lifestyle is also known as “The Caveman Diet.” It is essentially a back-to-basics diet that emphasizes “real” and unprocessed food. The paleo diet also follows a specific food list - it cuts out refined sugars, unhealthy fats, grains, and dairy, and relies on whole foods like meat, vegetables, and fruit.

Additionally, the paleo diet is about more than just food choices – it also recommends particular habits for sleep and physical activity, to mimic the behaviors of our ancestors. The paleo diet recommends getting 8-9 hours of sleep per night in a fully-darkened room with the goal of waking when you feel rested, without relying on an alarm. While following the paleo diet, it is also recommended that you incorporate some form of physical activity into your day – whether it’s just a walk or a complete workout session – since prehistoric man was very active physically.

Pros of the Paleo Diet: If you have other food allergies or intolerances to gluten or dairy, for example, this diet will be easy for you to follow! You may find that you have more energy, a better mood, and even an easier time losing weight. There’s also no need to count carbs – you can eat as much as you want, as long as you stick to the guidelines.

Cons of the Paleo Diet: Since this diet relies heavily on meat proteins, it would be extremely difficult for vegetarians and nearly impossible for vegans since their go-to protein sources (grains and legumes, and dairy for vegetarians) aren’t allowed in the paleo diet.

What Can I Eat on the Paleo Diet?

Foods to Eat

Lean meat – Grass-fed meats are the best option. However, as long as the meat isn’t highly processed (i.e. hot dogs) it is considered paleo.
Fish,Seafood, and Eggs
Vegetables – Enjoy starchier vegetables like sweet potatoes in moderation, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
Fruit – Since fruit still contains a lot of sugar, enjoy it in moderation.
Nuts/Seeds – Just remember, no peanuts or soy nuts!
Healthy Oils/Fats – Olive oil, coconut oil, macadamia oil, and avocado oil are the best options.
Natural Sugars - Raw honey, maple syrup, molasses

Foods to Avoid

Grains – Avoid pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, oatmeal, corn, etc.
Dairy – That means no milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. Grass-fed butter can sometimes be allowed on the paleo diet, but it’s inclusion in the paleo diet is highly contested.
Legumes – That means no peanuts, beans, peas, lentils, or tofu. However, fresh green beans and green peas can be eaten on the paleo diet.
White potatoes – Sweet potatoes, squash, and other similarly starchy vegetables are allowed, but should be eaten in moderation.
Refined sugars – Avoid candy as well as artificial sweeteners.
Soda – It’s also best to avoid fruit juices because they contain a lot of sugar.
Alcohol

What Ingredients Should I Leave Out of My Paleo Casseroles?

Now that you know what to eat and what to avoid on the paleo diet, we wanted to show you how to make casseroles fit with the diet. For the most part, this is as easy as replacing common casserole ingredients like white potatoes with paleo-friendly substitutes like cauliflower. In the list below, you’ll find common casserole ingredients and what you can use to replace them. Learn how to turn your favorite casseroles into the best paleo recipes has never been easier.

Easy Zucchini and Squash Gratin

This layered zucchini dish tastes just as good as pasta (just leave off the Parmesan cheese).

This Recipe Replaces: Pasta – Since pasta is grain and is not allowed on the paleo diet, it will need to be replaced with a different ingredient. Some popular paleo substitutes for pasta include zucchini noodles (also known as “zoodles”), spaghetti squash, and cauliflower “rice.”

Almost Paleo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Just add in homemade cream soup and you have a paleo meal!

This Recipe Replaces: Canned Soup – Canned soup is used as a creamy base in many casseroles. However, you can use a homemade and dairy-free recipe, like this one from Everyone Eats Right, instead. These recipes get their “creaminess” from pureed cauliflower or coconut milk.

Cauliflower Paleo Shepherd's Pie

This recipe uses mashed cauliflower instead of white potatoes.

This Recipe Replaces: White Potatoes – While white potatoes are a somewhat contested within the paleo diet, they can easily be replaced. Since cauliflower is similar to white potatoes, in terms of flavor and consistency, they are a good swap. Sweet potatoes are another good option, although they have a more distinct flavor.

Paleo Zucchini Lasagna Recipe

This recipe uses non-dairy cashew cheese.

This Recipe Replaces: Cheese – While cheese is included in so many casserole recipes and has no clear replacement, it still has paleo-friendly swaps. Nutritional yeast is a good ingredient to add cheesy flavor to your casseroles. Nut cheeses, or cheeses made from nut milks, are also a good option. These “cheeses” can be found in vegan stores, but you can also make them yourself.