Autumn Comfort on a Plate: The Ultimate Paleo Harvest Casserole Recipe

Paleo Harvest Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Experience autumn’s flavors any time of year with this Paleo Harvest Casserole—a hearty, one-dish meal that’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Packed with roasted root vegetables, ground meat, and warm spices, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food that’s simple to prepare and perfect for sharing. Its combination of sweet and savory notes makes it hard to resist, and it’s a great make-ahead option for busy weeknights or meal-prep sessions.

Deliciously Unique Paleo Harvest Casserole

What sets this Harvest Casserole apart is its blend of tender roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, and nourishing ground turkey or beef. The addition of fresh herbs and a hint of tartness from cranberries brings complexity and depth to every bite, creating a meal that’s as wholesome as it is satisfying. Whether you’re meal planning for a family dinner or looking for a dish to impress at a potluck, this casserole is sure to be a hit.

Perfecting the Savory Filling

The filling strikes a lovely balance between sweetness and umami. Start by sautéing ground meat with onions and garlic until browned and fragrant. Layer it with diced sweet potatoes, apples, and Brussels sprouts, then sprinkle with rosemary and thyme. Mixing in dried cranberries and a drizzle of olive oil before baking ensures everything stays moist, flavorful, and beautifully caramelized.

Building Your Paleo Harvest Casserole

To assemble, arrange the roasted veggies and fruit in a baking dish, followed by the seasoned meat mixture. Gently toss to combine, then press the mixture flat for even baking. This helps every bite blend harmoniously, creating a unified, casserole-style experience. Garnish with extra herbs before serving to add a pop of color and freshness.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Harvest Casserole

Serve this casserole hot from the oven, paired with a simple green salad for a complete meal. If desired, top with toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds for added crunch. It also works wonderfully as a make-ahead lunch—just portion into containers for easy grab-and-go meals all week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 generous portions. Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, mostly from lean protein and nutrient-dense vegetables. With healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of vitamins, this casserole supports your paleo lifestyle—and leaves you feeling satisfied.

Paleo Harvest Casserole Recap

This Paleo Harvest Casserole brings together hearty protein, seasonal vegetables, and just the right touch of sweetness for a comforting, family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey or beef
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium apple, diced
1 cup Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup dried cranberries (fruit-sweetened)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds

💡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.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a large casserole dish or baking pan.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
  3. Add the ground turkey or beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat, if necessary. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and cinnamon.
  4. While the meat cooks, toss sweet potatoes, apple, and Brussels sprouts with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly in the casserole dish.
  5. Top the vegetables with the cooked meat mixture and sprinkle dried cranberries over the top. Gently toss everything to combine and flatten into an even layer.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, stir, and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes, until vegetables are tender and the top is caramelized.
  7. Garnish with toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds before serving, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Make your meal prep routine even smoother with this casserole. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to make it and instantly generate a smart shopping list that aggregates ingredients across all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically adjusts ingredient quantities for the number of servings you need
– Compiles a streamlined shopping list divided by store department
– Eliminates forgotten ingredients and duplicate purchases
– Helps you organize, prep, and batch-cook healthy paleo meals in advance

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes for the week to see ingredient overlap—saving you time, money, and stress during your next grocery run!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

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