Holiday tables are filled with vegetable-forward side dishes, both classic and unique. We usually have a form of this vegan green bean casserole and a sweet potato casserole, but I’ve always loved carrot dishes. Carrots are naturally sweet, high in Vitamin C, and cheap. They are firmer vegetables, so they are the perfect candidate for a casserole. When chopped up small, they cook much faster than whole roasted carrots.
step aside boring veggie casseroles
Cooks in 20 minutes thanks to carrots sliced small. A toasted bread crumb topping really elevates this dish by adding a crunchy element. 6 ingredients are all you need to make an entire recipe! They are all pantry staples, meaning if you have a last-minute get-together, you can make this casserole very quickly.
you don’t need much
I’m nearly certain you already have everything for this carrot casserole recipe in your fridge or pantry! (For exact measurements, jump to the recipe card!)
Carrots: These are the stars of the show! I prefer to use whole fresh carrots for a better texture. You could use rainbow carrots for a fun pop of color or baby carrots cut in half lengthwise. Breadcrumb Topping: To make this, you just need unsalted butter, salt, and panko bread crumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are bigger and more crisp than traditional bread crumbs and lend a better overall texture to the casserole. The Filling: Is any casserole dish complete without cream of something soup? I use cream of celery soup for this because it has a subtle punchy flavor that compliments the sweet carrots well. And finally, I add cheddar cheese. Freshly grated is always best for flavor and texture!
How to make a carrot casserole
You just need a bowl and your favorite casserole dish for this recipe. So preheat that oven, and let’s get cooking!
Planning ahead
If you plan to travel with this casserole to Thanksgiving with friends or family, you can assemble it in an aluminum foil pan and just wait to bake it. When you arrive, just pop it in the oven, and you’re good to go!
Why this Recipe Works
Not just for Thanksgiving, this carrot recipe is also perfect for Easter brunch! Use just one pan to layer the casserole. You don’t need to mix everything first, just layer directly in the baking dish and bake. A last-minute option that is so delicious folks will think you spent hours on it! But in reality, it took less than 30 minutes.
in case you need more than one side dish
I can’t just serve one vegetarian side dish; I always need at least two. Here are a few more options that are just as easy as this carrot casserole.
Cranberry Sauce: This sauce only uses 3 ingredients and is so quick to make. Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad: You can pop them on a tray and bake them alongside the carrot casserole. Mashed Cauliflower: Step aside mashed potatoes! Mashed cauliflower is just as fluffy and creamy as the potato version but low in carbs.
