This creamy Whole30 casserole is the perfect easy and family friendly dinner. It’s with sausage and potatoes in under an hour and is a creamy, comforting Paleo or gluten-free recipe. It would be great for meal prep, and I think the leftovers are almost more delicious!
My midwest, Minnesotan youth was filled with all types of classic casseroles. In Minnesota we call a casserole a “hot dish”, which I’ve been told isn’t the norm in most parts of the country. Hot dishes, or, you know, casseroles, were a staple at every family gathering. That’s probably why I think of these foods as comfort foods now – hearty, and ate around a table with my favorite people.
Now it kind of makes me laugh because now that I make casseroles for myself, like this Whole30 casserole I know how easy they are. I’ve realized that that’s probably the real reason they’re always around or why my mom made them when she wanted to just throw things in one pan and be done with it.
This creamy sausage and hash brown Paleo and Whole30 casserole is ALMOST a one pan meal, but you will need a skillet for the creamy sauce and sausage. It’s worth the extra dish, I promise! I love this casserole so much I’ve made it specifically for breakfast too. I tell myself it’s like a hash brown sausage and gravy casserole when it’s before 9 a.m.
The potatoes I used for the paleo casserole came from a bag of compliant hash browns. You can find these in many stores, including Walmart! If going from frozen, you’ll want to let them thaw prior to baking. I used canned coconut cream and a Califia Farms almond milk. Any Paleo substitution would work for the milk, including nutpods. You’ll need a bit of ghee for the cream sauce, broth, and some arrowroot flour to thicken the cream and the rest of the ingredients will be your normal pantry and food items!
Califia, nutpods, coconut cream, ghee, broth and arrowroot can all be purchased from Amazon, or your local Whole Foods. You can also grab all of those products at a discount from Thrive Market (and get 20% off of your first 3 orders!) For more of my favorite Thrive Market budget favorites, check out my Paleo staples list, and Whole30 staples list!
The Whole30 casserole recipe itself is really easy. I mean, of course it is. You’re talking to me after all. Nothing fancy or complicated. Simply brown the meat first, make the creamy sauce, combine it all in a baking dish and you’re set! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
PrintCreamy Sausage & Potato Whole30 Casserole (Paleo + GF)
This creamy Whole30 casserole is the perfect easy and family friendly dinner. It’s with sausage and potatoes in under an hour and is a creamy, comforting Paleo or Whole30 recipe. It would be great for meal prep, and I think the leftovers are almost more delicious!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage (no sugar)
- 3 cups shredded potatoes (hash browns, no sugar added such as Mr. Dell’s brand)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 13.5oz can unsweetened coconut cream
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup broth (chicken or beef)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour (or tapioca flour)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 2.5-3 quart casserole dish and set aside
- Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes, or until they begin to soften
- Add ground sausage, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook until meat is browned and crumbled
- Drain excess grease and transfer to a large bowl
- Add almond milk, coconut cream, ghee and broth to the skillet over medium heat with the remaining spices
- Combine well and bring to a simmer, about 5 minutes. While the sauce is heating, add hash browns, spinach, mushrooms to the bowl with the crumbed sausage and mix well. Place the potato and sausage mixture into the casserole dish.
- Slowly (to avoid clumping) whisk in flour to thicken the sauce in the skillet. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes until sauce is thick
- Pour cream sauce over the sausage and potatoes in the casserole dish. Use a spoon to gently mix it in
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top of the mixture forms a slight crust and doesn’t give when you press in the middle of the casserole
Notes
- If you want a thicker cream sauce, or sauce is too thin, add an additional 1/2 tablespoon arrowroot flour and slowly whisk in.
- For a list of Whole30 compliant sausage brands, check this post, or make your own using ground pork using this recipe.
- For a list of Whole30 compliant almond milk brands, check this post.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 474
- Sugar: 3
- Fat: 36
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Protein: 19
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Kelly says
This is on repeat in our house! Absolutely love it, even my extremely picky toddler eats this! Once again, THANK YOU your recipes are amazing and I can see from all the comments everyone else thinks so too 🙂
paleobailey says
Oh this is so great to hear! Thank you so much, Kelly – I’m so glad it was a win!! <3 - B
Andrea says
Hi! Would this work with oat milk instead of almond milk?
paleobailey says
I haven’t cooked with oat milk so I can’t say for certain, but I would assume it would be fine!
Judy says
One of my favorite recipes. I even make it in the summer when I normally want something lighter. So flavorful and really hits the spot. I food prep it on the weekend and will eat it all week long. Never getting tired of it. Highly recommend.
paleobailey says
LOVE to hear this, Judy! It’s one of my favorites, too. Thank you so much for letting me know! 🙂
kate henderson says
Just made this with grated sweet potato and light coconut milk. Was a little runny than we prefer but super tasteful. I also added some seasoning salt and mushroom powder from Trader Joes 🙂
Angel says
Oh my goodness, this!! I didn’t have canned coconut milk, so I used regular coconut milk. I also didn’t have sausage so I fried up steak pieces instead. Honestly, steak, mushrooms, rosemary, and a crispy top hash browns ??. So yummy, thank you!
Heather says
My husband and I have really enjoyed this casserole for breakfast! It’s easy to prep for the week and something that we look forward to! 🙂 I have even used chicken sausage and swapped out the spinach for kale for a variation, and it worked well! Thank you for this new staple recipe!! Also, thank you for sharing your story on your site! It’s so encouraging and inspirational!
Emily says
This was sooooo good! My kids are super-picky and even they liked it. Thanks for all your great recipes! You are totally getting me through the Whole30!
paleobailey says
SO happy to hear you all enjoyed it! Thank YOU!! <3 - B
Meagan says
When you say coconut cream, you just mean the whole can right? Not just the thickened fat at the top?
paleobailey says
Yes! The entire can 🙂
Anissa says
This casserole is SO good!! I will definitely be making it again. Thank you for creating such tasty easy recipes!
paleobailey says
Thank you so much, Anissa!! You’re so welcome!! <3 - B
Jennifer Benson says
I made multiple casseroles on Monday and this by FAR my favorite. I’ve had it for breakfast the past three days and I swear I could eat it for lunches too! Will be added to my regular rotation!
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy to hear this! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know! <3 - B
amy sabatier says
can this be prepped the day ahead and put in fridge uncooked until the next day? thank you!
paleobailey says
Yes, that should be fine! I haven’t tried it myself, but I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work okay 🙂
Mamie says
This is absolutely delicious! I love this dish and it tastes great reheated for those that meal prep. I had it today with a lettuce wrap. It’s a bit heavy but that’s what makes it great with raw vegetables or steamed vegetables.
Missy says
Soooooo…. I don’t have an oven at the moment. Any ideas for either a.) instant pot or b.) toaster oven?
paleobailey says
Ahhh I didn’t have an oven for most of December! Never realized how much I relied on it until I didn’t have it 🙂 As far as the IP, I don’t think this is a great recipe for it. There would be a ton of excess moisture that isn’t able to be evaporated off and it would just be wet mush instead of a casserole 🙂 The toaster oven might work, but I don’t have much experience in cooking with them, so I’m not able to give specific instructions there. If it functions and provides an end result like an oven does, I’d say go for it!
Margaret says
This dish was AMAZING! So delicious. My fiance and I had it every day for breakfast for a week! Easy to meal prep!
paleobailey says
So, so happy to hear it!! We LOVE this recipe for meal prep too! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know. It’s so appreciated <3 - B
Jen says
My casserole dish was the right measurements but mine is deeper. I cooked for an extra 15 minutes but still not really sticking inside? How much longer should I cook it for? The flavor is great though!
paleobailey says
Hi Jen! I’m not sure what you mean by sticking inside? The casserole won’t come out in, say, perfect squares because of it’s creamy nature. If all of the veggies are cooked through and the top is slightly brownish, it’s done!
Sarah says
Made this for a family brunch and it was a big hit! No leftovers. ?
paleobailey says
SO glad to hear this! Thank you so much, Sarah!! <3 - B
Andrea says
Very tasty and super easy!
Love it for a whole 30 ‘eggless’ breakfasts.
I often forget to take out the sausage out of the pan before adding the liquid ingredients – it always turns out great either way.
paleobailey says
Love this! Thank you so much! Knowing it works this way too is so helpful as well! <3 - B
Amber K says
I have made this a number of times and it is so good. Creamy, flavorful and perfect for meal prep!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy you enjoy it! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know – it’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Pam L says
This is a delicious dish! Healthy, easy to make, and hits the spot! I will definitely be adding this to the rotation.
paleobailey says
Thank you so, so much Pam! I so appreciate your feedback and taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it! <3 - B
Kylee says
Super yummy and easy! Although next time I think I will double the recipe, so I have more leftovers. I really dislike coconut, especially in savory cooking, but I couldn’t taste it at all!
paleobailey says
This is amazing!! I’m so, so glad you enjoyed it.. it’s a total favorite of mine 🙂 Thanks so much for making it, and for taking the time to let me know – it’s really appreciated! <3 - B