27 Healthy High Protein Thanksgiving Casseroles Under 500 Calories
Introduction
Thanksgiving is a time for delicious comfort food, but it doesn’t have to mean heavy dishes that derail your health goals. With these 27 healthy, high-protein Thanksgiving casseroles—each under 500 calories per serving—you can enjoy classic holiday flavors while staying energized and satisfied. Savory, filling, and packed with lean protein, these casseroles prove that you can keep your meal balanced without sacrificing taste.
Why Try High Protein Thanksgiving Casseroles?
These wholesome casseroles are designed to please both the health-conscious and the hungry. Incorporating plenty of nutritious, protein-rich ingredients like lean turkey, chicken, beans, and eggs, they help keep you fuller longer and balance out the carb-heavy sides typically found at Thanksgiving. The result? Festive favorites that match holiday cravings without overloading on calories.
Flavorful & Filling Options for Every Table
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing an intimate gathering, these recipes range from creative twists on stuffing to veggie-laden breakfast bakes and innovative versions of classics like green bean casserole. With lighter sauces, smart swaps for high-fat dairy, and loads of roasted vegetables, everyone can dig in guilt-free.
Sample Recipe: Turkey and Quinoa Stuffing Casserole
Enjoy all the traditional stuffing flavors in a lighter, protein-packed casserole that doesn’t skimp on taste. This dish is perfect as a main or a hearty side, delivering turkey, quinoa, and sautéed vegetables in every bite.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a complete shopping list sorted by grocery store section—making meal prep for Thanksgiving week easier than ever!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9” baking dish.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, carrot, and mushrooms until soft, about 6–7 minutes.
- Push vegetables to the side of the pan and add ground turkey. Cook until no longer pink, breaking up large pieces. Stir in sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add cooked quinoa, beaten egg, and chicken broth; stir until combined.
- Spread mixture evenly in the prepared dish. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until firm and lightly golden. Cool slightly before serving.
Serving & Nutrition Facts
This recipe serves 6, with each portion providing approximately 270 calories and over 20g of protein. Perfect for keeping hunger in check between courses!
More Healthy High Protein Thanksgiving Casseroles
Here are a few more wholesome options (all under 500 calories per serving):
– Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Kale Bake
– Green Bean and Turkey Sausage Casserole
– Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Bake
– Tex-Mex Black Bean & Turkey Casserole
– Broccoli, Cheddar & Egg Breakfast Casserole
– Greek-Inspired Quinoa and Spinach Casserole
– Butternut Squash Enchilada Bake
– Cauliflower, Turkey & Brown Rice Casserole
– White Bean and Roasted Garlic Mash Bake
– Tuna and Zucchini Noodle Casserole
…and many more!
Each dish brings its own blend of hearty, crowd-pleasing flavor, high protein content, and lighter ingredients suited for both main courses and sides.
Weekly Meal Planning
Fit any of these casseroles into your Thanksgiving (or pre-holiday) week without stress. Save and schedule these recipes using CookifyAI to:
- Automatically total the ingredients you need—with no duplicates
- Organize your shopping list for faster store trips
- Eliminate forgotten items and extra purchases
- Easily plan balanced meals for the whole week
Pro Tip: When preparing multiple casseroles, schedule all of them in CookifyAI so you know exactly how much turkey, beans, or vegetables you’ll need—saving money and cutting down kitchen waste!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Summary
With these 27 healthy, high-protein Thanksgiving casseroles under 500 calories, you can enjoy classic flavors, satisfy your guests, and feel great long after the feast. Use smart recipe planning tools to streamline shopping and prep—so you can focus on celebrating with loved ones, not stressing in the kitchen!
