Vegan cornbread casserole is a wonderful addition to any holiday table! Tender cornbread, creamy, dairy free cheese, and vegetables combine to make this comfort food classic. This delicious side dish is warm and filling, and it’s sure to be a family favorite.
My mom was a wonderful cook, and there are many recipes that stand out in my mind that were present at special occasions and holidays when I was growing up. For my birthday, I would always ask her to make German chocolate cake, which was rich and amazing.
She also made homemade French fries which were awesome and often requested by my sister. Holiday meals always consisted of ham and several comforting casseroles: broccoli cheese casserole, Polish Reuben casserole, and a really yummy cheesy cornbread casserole.
I knew that I wanted to remake the cheesy cornbread casserole, which was not an easy task, because it contained eggs, tons of dairy, and a boxed Jiffy mix.
Now, if you had this casserole growing up, I don’t want you to think that this version is an exact copy of that egg-filled Jiffy mix recipe. It really isn’t. The fact that we can’t do eggs and dairy in our house means that my version is not as heavy and gooey and rich.
This vegan cornbread casserole is lighter, and it does double duty: when you serve it hot out of the oven, the cheese is melty and this side dish is almost like a cornbread stuffing.
If you let it cool completely and Daiya cheese firms up, it can be sliced and served like a heavier, flavorful cornbread. It’s very tasty either way! If you are really a cheese lover, throw a handful of dairy free cheese shreds on top before baking.
Ingredient Notes
- Cornmeal – I used yellow cornmeal. You want it to be finely ground, not coarse.
- Flour – I used white spelt flour, but you could easily substitute all-purpose flour. If you are gluten free, a cup for cup gluten free flour blend should work in this recipe as well.
- Applesauce – Applesauce is used as an egg replacer in the cornbread batter. It helps bind the batter and make the cornbread fluffy.
- Vegan Buttery Spread – Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread works well in this dish. You can use any brand that works for your dietary needs.
- Dairy Free Cheese – I used Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds. I like the way the Daiya shreds melt. If you have a different brand you enjoy, feel free to try it!
Step by Step Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients and stir well.
- Add the corn kernels, green onions, and non-dairy cheese, and mix well.
- Spread the mixture into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F for about one hour.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container. They should stay fresh for about 4-5 days. I haven’t tried freezing this casserole. You should be able to freeze it if you like, but the texture may be slightly different when you reheat it.
More Vegan Side Dish Recipes
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Recipe
Classic Vegan Cornbread Casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels
- 6 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread melted
- 1 ½ cups yellow corn meal
- 1 cup white spelt flour or all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 6 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 6 green onions chopped
- 2 ½ Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups non-dairy milk
- 2 cups Daiya shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the corn meal, white spelt flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the non-dairy milk, applesauce, and melted vegan buttery spread. Mix well.
- Stir in the corn kernels, green onions, and shredded Daiya cheese.
- Pour mixture into a glass baking dish. Sprinkle more cheese on top if desired.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 55-60 minutes or until golden brown on top and done in middle.
- Serve hot out of the oven for a spoonable casserole, or let cool completely to slice as a cornbread.
Faith
The cornbread casserole came out dry for me. It was more like corn bread with some corn in it. How could you make it more moist like the traditional corn casserole? Maybe add more applesauce? If so, would I have to change any of the other ingredients?
Ariana
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit with both vegans and non-vegans!
Thuy
Hi there! Do you know what I can use if I can’t find spelt flour? :)
Kelly Roenicke
You can use regular all-purpose flour!
Darryl
Simply Delicious!
Shawnee
Hello, if I were to bring this to an office potluck, could I leave I to out at room temp? Or refrigerate and then reheat?
Kelly Roenicke
I would recommend refrigerating and reheating. I hope you enjoy it!
Mickey Chambers
Sure wish you would have given the original recipe for those of us who don’t want to go vegan.
Kiko
You don’t have to “go vegan” to eat vegan.. duhh.
Grow up
Anna VJ
Fine corn meal?? Or corse? If you made it with fine, do you thing it would work with corse?
Kelly
I did use fine…coarse might be a little more rustic of a texture.
Francesca
Pinning and making for thanksgiving! :)
athleticavocado
totally making this! yum!!!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven
I absolutely LOVE cornbread stuffing at Thanksgiving and this recipe looks very similar to my mom’s recipe! I must try this—-it looks totally gorgeous, Kelly! Pinning and sharing on Facebook. :)
glutenfreehappytummy
oh my gosh YUMMMM!
Marisa | Marisa Moore Nutrition
Cornbread dressing and corn pudding are some of my favorite things in life. This has lots of the same flavors. I look forward to trying this lighter version. Looks really good!
Alessandra @ the foodie teen
Looks absolutely amazing!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
This recipe looks great, Kelly! Glad you took the challenge- you hit a winner!
jillconyers
Oh I love cornbread and can’t remember the last time I’ve eaten it. Your recipe sounds wonderful!
Two Healthy Kitchens
Food is so wonderfully connected to so many memories people hold dear – what a fun challenge to remake a recipe that’s special to you! Just love that! Even without allergy concerns, Jiffy cornbread mix is kind of nutritionally problematic, so it’s just fantastic that you came up with a healthier (but still comfortingly delicious!) version of this classic casserole! Definitely pinning! Yum! :D ~Shelley
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
My mom made something similar to this when we were little. You’re taking me back! This sounds much healthier.
Lisa
I’ve come to realize that I tend to like cornbread with a bit of “stuff” in it, like corn kernels. Love your addition of green onion in here!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love cornbread so this is like the ultimate comfort cornbread recipe! Looks and sounds so good! Rock on!
Kylie @ immaeatthat
YESS. Sign me up for all things cornbread! I think it may be the love of my life. Loving this idea:)))