How to Make a Hearty Venison & Veggie Casserole

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole to bring everyone to the table. This Ground Venison and Veggie Casserole is packed with flavor, full of wholesome ingredients, and perfect for cooler weather.

It’s the kind of dish that fills the house with amazing smells and makes you want to grab a big serving spoon and a bigger appetite. Pair it with a crisp salad or some garlic bread.

This recipe reminded me of a very old fashioned recipe. Basic ingredients, healthy, hearty, and meant to fuel up the body. Enjoy!

Why We Love Venison

Venison isn’t just another protein—it’s lean, clean, and packed with goodness. It doesn’t come with added hormones, antibiotics, or any mystery processing.

This is field-to-fork eating at its best. We process our own venison, stock our own freezer, and know exactly where our food comes from. It’s a blessing to enjoy a meal we harvested ourselves.

Plus, it’s higher in protein and lower in fat than beef. Naturally, that means we can eat seconds (or thirds) and still feel good about it. Okay, probably not with eating thirds, but my boys do eat a LOT.

Ingredients for Venison and Veggie Casserole 

• 1 pound ground venison
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups diced potatoes (peeling is optional—live dangerously)
• 2 cups diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup corn kernels, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 cup beef broth (or beef stock)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons seasoning of choice
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (around two 8 oz. bags)

How to Make This Hearty Veggie & Venison Casserole Recipe 

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish (casserole dish). Give yourself a high-five for getting started. Seriously, I know you are busy, so good job! 

Step 2: Cook the Venison

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground venison and cook until browned. Do NOT drain. 

Step 3: Saute

Toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Let them saute for about five minutes. Your kitchen should start smelling amazing right about now.

Step 4: Add the Veggies

Stir in the diced potatoes, carrots, and celery. Cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. They’ll start to soften up.

Step 5: Mix in More Good Stuff (the rest of the ingredients – minus the cheese) 

Now, add the corn, diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Stir it all together. Toss in a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a bit of added flavor. Add salt and pepper to taste to make sure you add in the right amount of seasoning. 

Time to Bake and Wait

Step 6: Bake It

Transfer the meat mixture into the greased baking dish. Cover it with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Step 7: The Cheesy Finale

Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Pop it back in the oven for 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Almost time to eat! 

Step 8: Let It Rest!

Let it rest for about 10 minutes. This gives the juice time to reabsorb into some of the veggies.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop out a big serving, grab a fork, and enjoy every comforting bite. Maybe even go back for seconds. Serve it with a side salad, green beans, or garlic bread. 

Now, there will be juice in the bottom of the pan. We use a slotted spoon when serving so that we don’t have juice all over our plates.

Make It Your Own

This casserole is super versatile. If deer meat isn’t your thing (or you don’t have access to it), you can swap it for ground beef, turkey, or chicken.

Not a fan of celery? Throw in some zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Want extra heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.

Make it your own and own it. The simple ingredients are great for beginners, quick cooking, and great flavor. 

Some Other Reasons to Try Venison

Venison is so lean and flavorful. You can substitute it in almost every recipe. Just make sure you don’t drain it. It doesn’t have an extra fat.

Cooking venison doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start with the ground venison loaded nachos recipe! Yum. You might also love slow cooking and want to try my Mississippi deer roast stew.

Healthy recipes can be hard to find, but if it contains venison you are already on the right track towards healthy eating. Cooking with wild game meat doesn’t have to be intimidating. You’ve got this. 

More Great Venison Recipes to Try

If you are wondering what to do with your venison roast, you are in the right place. Throw together this delicious Mississippi Deer Roast (different than the stew) in the slow cooker and you are set! The flavor is outstanding and it is a family favorite!

My sister-in-law makes a killer venison meatloaf. I hope to get that amazing recipe out for you all in the near future. 

A favorite ground venison recipe to try is my Venison Taco Soup! Yes, please! Venison Chili is good and hearty. This recipe is full of extra veggies for an added health benefit. 

Venison is such a great option for a lean and healthy protein. It can go into any recipe that calls for beef. Use ground venison in place of ground meat for any recipe. Just don’t drain it. It isn’t fatty at all. 

Time to be a Doer and Make this Venison & Veggie Casserole

This ground venison casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s warm, hearty, and loaded with flavor. Perfect for a family dinner, a cozy night in, or meal prepping for the week (if you somehow resist eating it all in one go). Store any leftovers in an airtight container. 

So grab a plate, grab a fork, and enjoy every last bite. Get the whole family involved in learning how to fix venison. It’s a great way to show them the process of field-to-table and one of these recipes might become their new favorite meal. 

Let me know what venison recipes you love and what you have been trying in your kitchen !

With love,

Anna Sue