13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (2024)

  • Special Diets
  • Anti-Inflammatory

By

Dillon Evans

13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (1)

Dillon Evans

Dillon Evans fell in love with cooking at a very young age. He remembers the novel experiences of microwaving a bowl of oatmeal without his parents' permission and asking to make his mother's morning pot of coffee. These moments became catalysts for his interest in cooking and baking.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines

Published on February 9, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (2)

Reviewed by DietitianJessica Ball, M.S., RD

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines

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13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (3)

Chronic inflammation can cause some pesky symptoms like mental fog, joint stiffness and digestive issues, in addition to increasing your risk for cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s important to eat foods with anti-inflammatory properties like the ones in these flavorful and nutritious dinner casseroles, including lean proteins, legumes, whole grains, veggies and healthy fats. These dishes are also made low in saturated fats and sodium to fit seamlessly into a heart-healthy eating pattern. Recipes like our Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Spinach Skillet Casserole and Eggplant Tortilla Casserole make for a delicious and nourishing meal that will help you feel your best.

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Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Spinach Skillet Casserole

13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (4)

This spinach-packed casserole cooks on the stovetop and bakes in the same skillet for a family-friendly dinner with an easy cleanup. You can use leftover chicken and cook the pasta ahead of time to speed up the prep.

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Eggplant Tortilla Casserole

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This layered casserole is inspired by classic cheese enchiladas, minus the fuss of rolling and stuffing individual tortillas. You'd never guess that within this comforting casserole hides a layer of thinly sliced eggplant. The thin slices become tender when roasted and add a subtle savory note.

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Green Chile Rotisserie Chicken Casserole

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This green chile rotisserie chicken casserole features tender rotisserie chicken with lots of tender vegetables. The corn adds a nice pop of sweetness, while the rice helps absorb some of the flavors. A crunchy topping of crushed tortilla chips finishes off this comforting, Southwestern-inspired casserole.

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Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccol

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Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights that’s sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.

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Chicken Tetrazzini

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This retro dish will please kids and adults alike.

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Turkey-Vegetable Bake

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Need to use up leftover turkey from the holidays? Make this low fat casserole. It's made with brown rice and lots of vegetables.

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Creamy Chicken & Penne alla Vodka Casserole with Peas

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This cheesy chicken pasta casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight when you need a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Vodka sauce adds a creamy note to the sauce. If you don’t have vodka sauce on hand, add a few tablespoons of cream to regular marinara.

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Mom's Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

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This lightened-up creamy chicken casserole is packed with veggies. The sauce at the heart of this family-friendly casserole uses fat-free milk with a combination of fat-free Greek-style yogurt and a little mayonnaise to give it body.

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Chicken-Spaghetti Squash Bake

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In this version of a chicken-and-broccoli casserole, spaghetti squash takes on a creamy texture when baked with cream of mushroom soup.

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Smoked Turkey, Kale & Rice Bake

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This hearty one-skillet dinner is loaded with celery, kale, tomatoes and quick-cooking brown rice. It's easy to make the recipe vegetarian by substituting smoked tofu for the turkey.

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Garlic Cashew Chicken Casserole

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Combine brown rice, cashews, chow-mein noodles and vegetables galore with chicken in this delicious casserole.

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Florentine Lasagna Roll-Ups

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Think portion control with these individual lasagna roll-ups. Leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

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Turkey & Leek Shepherd's Pie

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The mashed potato-covered shepherd's pie was originally created to use up the leftovers from a festive roast. This version blends peas, leeks and carrots with diced turkey, all in a creamy herb sauce. The dish is a perfect way to create a second meal with the holiday turkey but if you like, use leftover roast chicken, duck or goose.

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13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (2024)

FAQs

What is a good heart-healthy meal? ›

Boost Your Cardiovascular Health with Delicious Meals
  • Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken. ...
  • Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette. ...
  • Chicken Kebabs. ...
  • Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles. ...
  • Morning Burritos. ...
  • Macaroni and Cheese with Cashew Cream. ...
  • Sweet Potato, White Bean Hummus, and Israeli Salad. ...
  • Seared Salmon with Pistachio Gremolata.
May 27, 2023

What is the menu for someone with coronary heart disease? ›

The plan should include plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Limit high-fat foods such as red meat, cheese and baked goods. Also limit foods that are high in sodium such as sandwiches, pizza, soup and processed foods. Cut back on foods and drinks with added sugar too.

How do you cook for someone with heart problems? ›

We present some of the best Heart Matters recipes you can make in 30 minutes or less.
  1. Spaghetti with sardines and cherry tomatoes. ...
  2. Beetroot hummus. ...
  3. Stir-fried ginger beef with peppers. ...
  4. Sizzling prawn fajitas. ...
  5. Jewelled couscous salad. ...
  6. Raitha with cucumber. ...
  7. Salmon pate. ...
  8. Spiced okra.

What is a meal plan for clogged arteries? ›

What to Know About Diet for Coronary Artery Disease
  1. Eat whole-grain bread and cereal with some fruit for breakfast.
  2. Add a salad or a handful of vegetables to your plate if you plan on eating meat or poultry as the main dish.
  3. For dessert, serve low-fat yogurt or cheese with raw or cooked fruit.
  4. Drink fat-free or 1% milk.
Feb 14, 2024

Is spaghetti heart healthy? ›

Is pasta on a heart healthy diet? Whole grain pasta is heart-healthy. Research has shown that consuming whole grains, including whole wheat pasta, can help to prevent heart disease. Even better, tomatoes are also considered to be heart-healthy.

Can heart patients eat macaroni? ›

Refined carbohydrates lack fiber and can cause a person to feel hungry again quickly. Replacing refined carbohydrates with nutrient-dense whole grains lowers the risk of many conditions, including stroke and metabolic syndrome. Some refined carbs to limit include: white bread, pasta, and rice.

What is a heart healthy dinner for one? ›

Heart-healthy protein foods

Plan meals around canned fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel), eggs, frozen prawns, frozen edamame beans, canned beans (four bean mix, baked beans, chilli beans), pre-made falafel and fresh, frozen or smoked fish as these foods don't take long to cook but pack in nutrition.

What meats are heart healthy? ›

Options include:
  • Seafood — fish and shellfish.
  • Poultry — chicken or turkey breast without skin or lean ground chicken or turkey (at least 93% lean)
  • Lean meats — like pork shoulder, beef sirloin, or lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
  • Beans, peas, and lentils — like black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • Eggs.
Jul 1, 2023

How do you make a heart healthy meal plan? ›

  1. Heart Healthy Eating Plan.
  2. Make half your. plate fruits and. vegetables.
  3. Make at least half. of your grains. whole grains.
  4. Switch to fat-free. or low-fat (1%) milk.
  5. Vary your protein. food choices.

What is the 3 day heart diet? ›

The 3-Day Cardiac Diet sets strict limits on foods you can eat during specific meals. Meals generally consist of a protein source paired with fruits, vegetables, toast, or saltine crackers. Salt and pepper are the only permitted spices. For dessert, vanilla ice cream is allowed once per day during dinner.

Is peanut butter heart healthy? ›

Peanut butter also contains omega-6 fatty acid. This fatty acid lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol and increases good (HDL) cholesterol. In addition, peanuts are a natural source of arginine, an amino acid that may prevent heart and vascular disease by promoting good blood vessel function.

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