By Nikki Vegan

This Cozy Chickpea Spinach Casserole is savory, nourishing and super comforting! Roasted veggies and protein-rich chickpeas tossed with creamy cashew sauce topped with golden brown sourdough croutons. It’s giving pot pie vibes but it’s healthier and easier to make!

Chickpea Spinach Casserole is a lot like pot pie. It has a creamy, savory filling made with chickpeas and lots of vegetables – I use a mix of roasted root veggies like potatoes and carrots and also some frozen staples like peas, corn and chopped spinach – and it’s baked beneath a crispy, golden brown crust. But instead of pie dough or puff pastry, this crust is made with a quicker, easier and healthier topping: sourdough croutons.

The croutons become golden brown and delicious in the oven and create the perfect, crunchy texture to compliment the creamy sauce and tender veggies. The result is a homemade baked casserole that is as balanced and nourishing as it is comforting and cozy.

Tips for Making the Chickpea Casserole!

Vegan casseroles like this one are a welcoming, homestyle dinner that I love to serve to friends and family, but they’re also ideal for meal prep! I l often bake a casserole like my Tater Tot Casserole or my Vegan Taco Casserole on a Sunday evening and then reheat the leftovers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Casserole recipes are great because:

• They’re an all-in-one meal!
• They’re primarily made with pantry and freezer staples like canned beans and frozen veggies!
• They’re truly comforting and I love how homey it is to place a casserole dish in the center of the table so that everyone can serve themselves hearty portions.
• They can be made ahead of time and keep well in the fridge for several days!
• Freezer-friendly, budget-friendly and easy to make!

Ingredients Cozy Chickpea and Spinach Casserole

I love meals that can be made with simple ingredients and pantry staples. This casserole is definitely that, making it a dinner I keep making again and again.

• Potatoes, Carrots and Garlic – roasting the root vegetables brings out the flavor and adds so much depth to the final dish!
• Chickpeas – adds protein, fiber and minerals to help round out this meal and make it extra satisfying!
• Frozen Peas, Corn and Chopped Spinach – a budget-friendly way to add lots of nutrients to this comforting meal.
• Mushrooms, Fresh Rosemary and White Wine – well-browned mushrooms add a savory, meaty quality to this completely vegan meal.
• Cashews Sauce – I make the sauce while the veggies cook so this meal comes together in a flash. Simply blend cashews, soy milk, dried sage and nutritional yeast with a squeeze of lemon and some white miso. The result is a decadently silky-smooth sauce.
• Sourdough Bread – cut the bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and ta-daa! Homemade croutons. It’s a quicker, easier and more budget-friendly way to add a crispy, golden brown topping to the casserole. Bonus points if you use day-old bread to prevent food waste!