This Dairy Free Paleo Casserole is made of layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and chicken! Naturally gluten free, whole30 and so delicious!
PIN Dairy Free Paleo Casserole
Is it just me or is a casserole on a winter night just the best meal ever?
I grew up eating healthy chicken noodle casserole and I think that set the stage for my “winter night casserole” love because now I’m all about a one pan Mexican quinoa casserole, Cheesy Instant Pot chicken and rice casserole OR this little number when I’m feeling like I need more veggies in my life.
Which, after all the paleo ginger snaps and gluten dairy free vegan sugar cookies I had (without ANY GUILT, I might add 😊) over the Holiday’s, it’s probably not a bad idea to get some veggies in!
Other Healthy Casseroles
Healthy Baked Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Moroccan Healthy Gluten Free Paleo Breakfast Casserole
Dairy Free Paleo Casserole with Chicken
This Dairy Free Paleo Casserole is made of layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and chicken! Naturally gluten free, whole30 and so delicious!
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Olive oil divided
- 1 Lb 93% Lean Ground turkey OR chicken
- 1/2 Cup Onion diced (about half a small onion)
- 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Tomato paste
- Pepper
- 1 Large zucchini sliced 1/4 thick
- 1 tsp Garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/8 tsp Cardamom powder
- 1/8 tsp Oregano flakes
- 1/4 tsp Chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Fresh Tarragon minced + additional for garnish
- 1 Large tomato thinly sliced
- 1 Cup Orange bell pepper diced (about 1 large pepper)
For the sauce:
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Almond meal
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Coconut flour
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond milk
- Salt/pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and brush an8x8 inch panwith olive oil. Set aside
- In a large pan, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add in the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, and the outside is nice and browned. Stir in the diced onion, tomato paste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Place the sliced zucchini into a large bowl and toss with remaining tsp of olive oil and garlic. In a separate, small bowl, mix together the salt, cumin, cardamom, oregano and chili powder. Add into the zucchini and toss, making sure the spices are evenly coated.
- Spread the zucchini onto the bottom of the prepared pan (it's ok if you have overlap on a few pieces) and sprinkle the fresh tarragon over top.
- Spoon the turkey mixture on top of the zucchini and press down, so that the turkey is nice and packed. Lay the sliced tomato on top of the turkey in an even layer. Finish by sprinkling the diced bell pepper over top of the tomato evenly.
- Cover the casserole and bake for 15 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, make the sauce by heating the olive oil in a large pan over medium/high heat.
- Add in the almond meal and coconut flour and cook until the flours begin to absorb into the oil and turn a dark brown, about 1 minute. Think dark peanut butter here.
- Pour in the almond milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium so that the sauce stays at a steady low boil. Stir often to ensure it does not burn.
- Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10-11 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the casserole bakes, pour the sauce over-top evenly and bake, uncovered, for another 45 minutes.
- Let stand for 10 minutes and then slice, garnish with additional tarragon and DEVOUR.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
If you try this recipe I would love to see it and share it! Tag me on IG @foodfaithfit, using the hashtag #foodfaithfitFOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE SMART POINTS: 3 POINTS+: 4 OLD POINTS: 3
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Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Despite the fact that casseroles aren’t the prettiest of foods, you did a darn good job shooting it. 🙂 Seriously, I want all of that goodness on my plate. The story of the Wagner family is heartbreaking. I will be sure to look at the donation website and will be thinking of them and sending positivity their way.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks for the positive thoughts Erin – means a lot! And double thanks for not hating on the casserole uglyness – you da bestest! Have a great weekend!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
What a great cause to bring awareness to. I’ve been following their story too, and it just breaks my heart. I’m loving this casserole and have been looking for healthy freezer meals to make ahead of time for when the babe comes…looks like I just found a gold mine of recipes!
Taylor Kiser says
You sure did! And p.s belated congrats on babe! SO EXCITING! Thanks friend 🙂
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Casseroles are kinda ugly I suppose. But they’re SO GOOD and so easy and I love them. Not to photograph, just to eat.
Taylor Kiser says
Exactly! Sometimes the best food is the ugliest. Sorry camera. Thanks Erin!
Yankee Kitchen Ninja (Julianne) says
Oh, Taylor, I don’t think it’s ugly at all! Especially in the pan — gorgeous colors, looks so delicious! And I’m all about healthy, simple meals. Yay!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Julianne, you’re the sweetest!
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
Welllll, my girlyfriend. Apparently you didn’t get the memo that it’s “make and shoot ugly but delicious food week”. For reals. Because once you see my pan of uuuugh-a-mess, you’ll completely understand that you’re in good company, AND that your “mess” is actually quite gorgeous. I mean, the color! The healthy goodness… *thump thump*
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, you are just too sweet! I am sure yours is full of beauty and yumminess too friend! Thank you xoxo
Liz says
This is no ordinary casserole! So healthy and scrumptious. Perfect comfort food—so glad to join you to help the Wagners.
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Liz!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Another reason I love our blogging community! So awesome for everyone to rally together to help Ashley out!
Taylor Kiser says
Right! The best!
Lisa Huff @ Snappy Gourmet says
I really need to get more zucchini in my family meals! I don’t cook with if often and think I could actually get my family to try this. Can’t wait to try!! Great working on this project with you! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I LOVE zucchini, it’s so versatile! Great working with you too – I hope your family loves this!
Mike@TheIronYou says
Loving this casserole Taylor and it totally looks delicious, seriously, what are you talking about!
PS Thanks for letting me know about the Wagners, I’m definitely going to help!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha well thank you for lying to me 😉
You’re welcome, Thank YOU for helping Mike!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
I LOVE that you are doing this to help the Wagners out. It just breaks my heart to think of what they are going through. I can’t even fathom it. You’re a good egg Taylor 🙂 Annnndddd welcome to the world of brown food. You made this casserole look DELICIOUS!
Taylor Kiser says
RIGHT! I can’t even begin to imagine either. And thank you so much friend! Brown food though? NOT MY FRIEND.
Julia says
So comforting Taylor! I love the chicken and zucchini together in the casserole.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks friend!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Your food is SO not ugly (I love that you called it that, though). To me nothing you make can look ugly cuz I know it’s gotta taste phenomenal if it’s coming out of your kitchen Love it!
Taylor Kiser says
Aww you are the sweetest!! Thank you friend! I hope you have a great weekend!
Layla @Gimme Delicious says
Is it weird that I’m drooling over this casserole now?! It looks delicious and will make a great addition to my paleo diet weeks.
Taylor Kiser says
Totally not weird! I am glad you think it looks drool-worthy 🙂 Thanks Layla!
Jessica @ Stuck On Sweet says
Love this dish Taylor and actually thinks it’s a beautiful dish! 🙂 This is definitely going to be a weeknight healthy meal for us!
Taylor Kiser says
Well thank you so much friend! I hope that you love this!
Amber @ The Bewitched Baker says
Oh my goodness, my heart absolutely goes out to that family. Thank you for posting a bit of comfort food along with that story. I hope everything works out….
Taylor Kiser says
Isn’t it just the worst!? Thank you so much for reading Amber!
Melissa | Bits of Umami says
Literally laughing out loud over here at you calling this ugly. Totally not. Looks delicious and can’t wait to try it. Love that you’re doing this to help out the Wagner’s. I’m so sad to hear this story.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks so much Melissa! Glad you don’t hate on the brown casserole-ness 🙂
GiGi Eats says
While I obviously want to make this tomorrow, this would also be AMAZING as a post-Thanksgiving meal! To use up all the turkey!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Gigi!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
You have such a golden heart T.
As for the pictures- They look amazing. Try photographing ground beef lololol.
Taylor Kiser says
Haha, ground beef is not fun 😉
Thanks Arman!
Liz says
Thank you Taylor for the nice recipes and have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Liz! You too!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
You crack me up!! Casseroles are tough to photograph – no doubt!! (I still love your photos, btw!)
I don’t know about you … but I think about the Wagner family every day. I pray for them and just hope everything is going well for them. I’ve not met Ashley, but she surely seems like the most positive person out there! I’d love to meet her someday, and just give her a huge hug!!
So happy to work together on such an amazing project!! Hugs to you too! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Gretchen!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
It broke my heart reading your story about Ashley and her family. I can’t even begin to imagine. I live in a country where medical care is free and can’t even begin to imagine having to struggle financially when you’re struggling with your health. It’s so sad! I’m sending lots of positive thoughts to Ashley, her husband and their little one.
You’re casserole looks delicious! I think you did a great job of turning a pile of brown food into something that looks totally good. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
It’s awful eh! I’m originally from Canada, where medical is free, so the cost still blows my mind!
And thank you so much!
margaret says
Hi, I was wondering if we can freeze this? if yes, should I freeze it after I pour the sauce over it or should cook it completely and then freeze it? You might have given these freezing tips in you description or comments but I really have no time right now to read through it;(
Taylor Kiser says
To be honest, I have not frozen it myself so I really can’t tell you 100% for sure either way! I’m sorry!
My gut tells me it would be best to cook it first but again, I can’t tell you for sure! Please let me know if you try it Margaret!
Donna says
My husband and I both thought this was a great recipe and loved the flavors. Thanks for sharing!
Taylor Kiser says
SO happy you both loved it! Thanks for letting me know!
Effy says
How can I make the sauce without nuts? I’m allergic. Substitute coconut milk? Use more coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Taylor Kiser says
Unfortunately, recipes are only tested as written so I really would have no way of knowing – I am sorry and hope you understand! If you try that, let me know how it goes!
Bee says
I made this for my family tonight. Pretty much followed the recipe.
OMG it was so good and my kids totally gobbled it up! This will be going into our regular dinner rotation!
Taylor Kiser says
YAY! I am so glad!
AJMitchie says
Amazing casserole! And so easy to double the recipe for a group or to freeze for meal prep. This is a little lengthy but here are my Substitutions/Tweaks: doubled all ingredients except for Turkey (3lb pkg), Zucchini (3 large) and Tomato Paste (6oz can). Added: 1/2 jar of mushrooms and sautéed first with onion and garlic; topped with vegan mozzarella cheese last 10 minutes of baking. Substituted: sliced tomatoes with 1/4 cup sliced Kalmata Olives; cardamom with Cinnamon, almond meal with Almond Flour. Left out: Tarragon – didn’t have this or the tomatoes. 🙂
I basically just did my best to use what I had on hand. It was incredible! I followed instructions for “sauce” to a T – and added some vegan cheese to help thicken. Everything firmed up great when baked. Delish! … And it looked great, too!
Taylor Kiser says
Yay!!! So glad you liked it! The tweaks sound great too! 🙂