This cheesy celery root casserole is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional potato casseroles. This easy and hearty dish is perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinner.

scooping a serving from a celery root casserole

Cheesy Celery Root Casserole

This cheesy celery root casserole has been in my recipe box for 20 years. Back then I was eating a lower carb diet and I came across this recipe to try. It was delicious and I made it often.

This year I am thinking about it again and how perfect it would be for our holiday dinners. Our family has a regular menu of our favorite traditional holiday side dishes. You can find all of them on this site!

However, each year we also try new recipes or try to accommodate special diets. Some of us are gluten-free. Some are lactose intolerant. And most of us watch our carbs to some extent.

This recipe is a perfect holiday side dish…period. That being said, it is gluten-free, and it could be considered keto-friendly.

Like the name says, this is the root part of the celery plant. Even though I didn’t grow up seeing it used, it has been a staple in Europe for ages.

It has a bit of celery flavor and that earthy root taste we love in turnips or parsnips. When cooked, it becomes sweeter and makes a great substitute for potatoes.

In my opinion potatoes don’t need a substitute since they are perfect, delectable, and nutritious. But some people avoid or limit them. Or sometimes you just want to try something new!

This recipe takes a little over an hour to prepare. It requires cutting then cooking the celery root and then combining the ingredients and cooking the casserole. It is well worth the effort! I estimate that this serves eight. I ate half of it in one day.

I’m single and I had it for lunch AND dinner. But for a dinner party or get together, it should feed the eight as a side dish.

The celery root blends perfectly with all the creamy additions of butter, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese. The unique celery root taste, while delicate, does not get overwhelmed by the additions of cheese.

top down view of celery root casserole in red dish

What is Celery Root?

Celery root, also called knob celery, turnip-rooted celery, or celeriac, is a bulbous, brown root vegetable with white flesh that is similar in texture to potatoes. While it is related to the celery, celery root is harvested for its underground portion, rather than stalks and leaves.

Celery root is a low carb vegetable and might not be one you are familiar with. It is brown, bumpy, and rather homely on the outside. It is easy to pass by because most of us have never heard of celery root much less know how to cook them.

But don’t let its ugly exterior fool you….celery root has a very delicate texture and flavor!

Celery root is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared many different ways: roasted, boiled, steamed, mashed, or even eaten raw. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, and is a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C.

This vegetable is worth searching out and trying and this casserole is the perfect way to try it!

3 whole celery roots on white background

Ingredients

3 large celery roots
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup of sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions + extra for the top
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¾ cup cheddar cheese grated
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Helpful Kitchen Tools

For your convenience in re-creating this recipe at home, we’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products and supplies used. Read our disclosure policy here.

scooping cheesy casserole

Instructions

Peel the celery root with a sharp knife. You will not be able to peel these like you do a potato. You will carefully, slice off the thick peel to get to the lighter colored vegetable underneath.
Chop the peeled celery root and place in a large pot over medium heat. Pour in a couple of inches of water. Steam the celery root until tender, about 20-30 minutes. Drain and cool somewhat.
Combine the celery root, 4 Tablespoons of butter, sour cream, cream cheese, ¼ cup of cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper. You can use food processor or just smash together with a potato masher. Stir in ¼ cup of green onions.
Scoop celery root cream mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese and the remaining green onions. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Prep Tips

Other herbs that would make good garnishes for this dish include chopped fresh parsley or a sprig of fresh thyme.
To store leftovers, cover the baking dish with foil and keep refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

4 step photo collage showing how to make celery root casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Cook Celery Root?

To prepare celery root, first wash it well. Then, use a sharp knife to peel off the brown skin. You can then cut the celery root into any desired shape or size. If you are going to be cooking the celery root, you may want to cut it into smaller pieces so that it cooks more quickly.

Is Celery Root Keto?

Celery root has about half the carbohydrates as many other root vegetables, such as Russet potatoes. A half-cup serving of celery root contains less than 4g net carbs. While it might not be low enough for the initial phase of a keto or Adkins diet, celery root is a great vegetable to have in rotation for less strict low carb or maintenance diets.

cheesy celery root casserole in red baking dish

More Casserole Recipes To Try