Harvest Casserole {Paleo, Whole30}

Introduction

Harvest Casserole {Paleo, Whole30} is the ultimate warm, nourishing dinner for those busy fall evenings or anytime you crave wholesome, comforting fare. Bursting with seasonal vegetables, savory protein, and a perfect balance of herbs and spices, this casserole is free from grains, dairy, and refined sugars—making it an ideal choice for anyone on a Paleo or Whole30 journey. It’s a crowd-pleaser for family dinners, but simple enough for quick weeknight meal prep.

Flavorful, Hearty, and Guilt-Free Comfort Food

What makes this Harvest Casserole special? It combines the best of autumn’s bounty: sweet potatoes, hearty greens, earthy root veggies, and lean ground meat. All these ingredients are tossed with a savory blend of herbs for maximum flavor—without any processed ingredients. The result? A dish that’s not only delicious and satisfying, but also full of fiber, vitamins, and protein to keep you feeling nourished and energized.

How to Build Layered Harvest Casserole Flavor

To get outstanding depth of flavor, begin by browning your ground turkey or beef with onion and garlic, then layer in sautéed root vegetables and leafy greens. Oven roasting allows the flavors to meld together—think tender-crisp veggies, juicy protein, and a naturally sweet finish from roasted sweet potatoes. Finishing with a sprinkle of herbs and a drizzle of olive oil brings the casserole together in a balanced, aromatic way.

Assembling Your Harvest Casserole

Start with a base of sliced sweet potatoes, followed by the cooked meat and veggie mixture, and then repeat the layers. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor and nutrition. If you’re following Whole30, skip the optional nut topping; Paleo followers can add sliced almonds or chopped pecans for extra crunch and richness.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Healthy Meal

Serve this Harvest Casserole as a one-dish meal, or pair with a crisp green salad tossed with apple cider vinaigrette. It’s also excellent with roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed kale for extra veggies. For meal prep, portion into containers and reheat for a portable, satisfying lunch all week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Each batch of Harvest Casserole yields approximately 6 hearty servings. Per serving, expect around 350-400 calories, generous protein (25+ grams), and plenty of fiber from the array of vegetables. You’ll get a balanced meal to fuel your day—filling, nutritious, and free from grains, dairy, and added sugar.

The Ultimate Harvest Casserole (Recap)

By mixing nourishing fall vegetables, savory ground meat, and fragrant herbs, this casserole offers all the comfort of traditional baked dishes—without compromising your health goals. It’s a meal that delights family and friends, perfect for cozy dinners or weeklong meal prep.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13” baking dish.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, sauté 1 minute more.
3. Add ground turkey or beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through. Season with dried thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in carrot, apple, and kale or spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Remove from heat.
5. Layer half of the sweet potato slices along the bottom of prepared baking dish. Drizzle with half of the remaining oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Spread half of the cooked meat and veggie mixture over the sweet potatoes. Repeat with another layer of sweet potatoes (drizzle with remaining oil) and top with remaining meat mixture.
7. Pour broth evenly over the casserole. If using, sprinkle nuts on top.
8. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender and the top is lightly browned.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This casserole is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal plan, as leftovers store and reheat beautifully. Save and schedule this recipe to easily organize which days you’ll enjoy it and to automatically generate a smart grocery list that consolidates your ingredients for the week.

Benefits include:

• Combining ingredient quantities across your planned recipes for accurate shopping
• Organizing every ingredient by its store section
• Minimizing food waste and duplicate purchases
• Simplifying meal prep with clear, structured planning

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes for the week and let CookifyAI show you how ingredients overlap—making it easier to buy in bulk or substitute creatively while sticking to your Paleo or Whole30 guidelines.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes