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

13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (7)

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

13 Heart-Healthy Casserole Dinners to Help Reduce Inflammation (9)

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? ›

Heart-healthy recipes
  1. Artichoke dip.
  2. Artichoke, spinach and white bean dip.
  3. Artichokes alla Romana.
  4. Avocado dip.
  5. Baba ghanoush.
  6. Baked brie envelopes.
  7. Basil pesto stuffed mushrooms.
  8. Black bean and corn relish.

Which food is good for heart health? ›

These foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan.
  • Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots.
  • Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes.
  • Whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas.
Mar 24, 2022

What is a good suggestion for heart healthy eating? ›

Heart-Healthy Diet Guidelines

Make vegetables, fruits, and whole grains the focus of your diet. Include fish, legumes (beans), and nuts in your diet and use nontropical vegetable oils (such as olive or canola oil). Limit intake of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red or processed meats.

What is the most artery clogging food? ›

Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
  • Butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil, and palm oil4.
  • Fatty cuts of red meat5.
  • Whole milk and cream6.
  • Ice cream and milkshakes4.
  • Packaged baked goods like cakes, brownies, and pastries4.
  • Processed meat like sausages.
Mar 6, 2024

What are 10 good dinner foods? ›

Our 20 most popular dinners of 2024
  • Air-fryer salmon.
  • Sweet potato & peanut curry.
  • Beef stroganoff.
  • Easy sausage casserole.
  • Chicken & chorizo jambalaya.
  • Lasagne.
  • Easy chicken curry.
  • No-fuss shepherd's pie.
Mar 14, 2024

What is the 3 day cardiac 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 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.

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 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

What is the single best food for your heart? ›

Foods that improve heart health:
  • Salmon and tuna. These fish are high in omega-3s–healthy fats that can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart rhythm disorders. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Walnuts and almonds. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Low-fat yogurt. ...
  • Cherries.

What is a cardiac diet menu plan? ›

It's an eating plan that emphasizes foods that promote heart health, such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean poultry and oily fish like salmon and tuna that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Which is the most heart healthy restaurant meal? ›

Fish Is Good for Your Heart

Fish is a healthy choice when dining out. Ordering seafood such as salmon and tuna adds omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. They are a type of polyunsaturated fat that helps lower your heart disease risk. You'll also find a different type of omega-3 in walnuts and edamame (soybeans).

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