This healthy cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole comes together in a snap and is a great way to use up ham leftovers.
Sometimes when you make a ham, there are enough leftovers to make a whole new meal the next day. Yesterday, I made a delicious ham for dinner, and I had two pounds of ham leftover!
What can you do with leftover ham?
In the past, I’ve made ham tetrazzini when I’ve had leftovers. But this time I decided to make a healthy low-carb cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole.
Doesn’t that sound amazing?
And just wait until you taste it. Delicious roasted cauliflower topped with sweet chunks of ham that are tossed with cream cheese and parmesan and all smothered in Muenster cheese.
You’re going to love this three-cheese casserole.
But, first, there are two important things you should know when cooking cauliflower so we get this recipe just right.
How to make sure your cauliflower with ham casserole doesn’t end up watery
When cauliflower is boiled or steamed and then cooked slowly in a casserole, it releases a lot of water. This can make the whole dish a watery mess.
To avoid watery casserole, we’ll flash roast our cauliflower so the excess water is cooked off. Bite-size florets will cook through and get nice and browned which intensifies their flavor.
Which oil is best for roasting vegetables?
Refined avocado oil is highly nutritious and loaded with antioxidants. Read all about its health benefits here and here. It’s very heat stable with one of the highest smoke points (that’s the point where oil starts to smoke and burn).
It’s one of the best possible oils for roasting at high temperatures. And that’s why I recommend avocado oil for this recipe.
O.K. Ready to make cheesy cauliflower casserole with ham? Let’s go.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Cheesy Cauliflower With Ham Casserole
- cauliflower
- avocado oil
- cream cheese
- garlic powder
- parmesan cheese
- fully cooked ham
- muenster cheese
- salt and pepper
- and parsley for garnish
How to make cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole
*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.
First, wash and dry your cauliflower. Then cut cauliflower florets into bitesize pieces.
Toss cauliflower florets with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. And season with salt and pepper.
Spread florets on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Then turn florets over (I use tongs) and roast for 5-10 more minutes.
Now don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or your cauliflower could get mushy and won’t cook evenly.
Meanwhile, soften cream cheese in your skillet over a low flame. Flavor with a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, a 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
Then toss with your bite-size chunks of ham for about 5 more minutes.
Now, cover the bottom of the casserole dish with Muenster cheese slices. Fill with your roasted cauliflower. Then top with your ham and cheese mixture. Finally, cover with another layer of Muenster cheese slices.
Now that your casserole is assembled, finish it off under the broiler until the cheese is melted.
Pro Tips And Recipe Notes
A quick recap of several of the tips I mentioned above:
- To avoid a watery casserole, roast your cauliflower so the excess water is cooked off. Bite-size florets will cook through and get nice and browned which intensifies the flavor.
- Avocado oil is one of the best possible oils for roasting at high temperatures. It’s very heat stable with one of the highest smoke points.
- No leftovers? No problem. You can make this recipe with a 2-3 pound fully cooked boneless ham depending on how many people you have to serve. Just cut it up into bite-size pieces.
- This recipe will be delicious swapping out the ham with chicken or turkey, as well.
- I didn’t get a picture, but sprinkling some vivid red paprika on top brightens up this casserole and definitely adds more flavor to this dish.
Am I making you hungry? Here’s one more look at this scrumptious cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole.
Cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole: a healthier and more fun way to enjoy ham leftovers.
I can’t wait for you to try this. And if you have any questions, please reach out to me in the comments or shoot me an email, and I’ll respond ASAP!
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Cheesy Cauliflower With Ham Casserole (Low-Carb)
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a head of cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese
- 2 pounds of fully cooked ham cut into bite-size pieces
- 10 slices of muenster cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- dash of pepper
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉Wash and dry your cauliflower. Then cut cauliflower florets into bitesize pieces.
- Toss cauliflower florets with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil. Season with salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Then turn florets over (I use tongs) and roast for 5-10 more minutes. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or your cauliflower could get mushy and won’t cook evenly.
- Meanwhile, soften cream cheese in your skillet over a low flame. Flavor with a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, a 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Then toss with your bite-size chunks of ham for about 5 more minutes.
Cover the bottom of the casserole dish with muenster cheese slices. Fill with your roasted cauliflower. Top with you ham and cheese mixture.
Finally, cover with another layer of 6 slices of muenster cheese.
Now set your oven to broiling mode.
Finish off under the broiler for 3-4 minutes. Since oven temperatures vary, be sure that your cheese doesn't burn.
Garnish with parsley, serve and enjoy.
Notes
- To avoid a watery casserole, we’ll roast our cauliflower so the excess water is cooked off. Bite-size florets will cook through and get nice and browned which only intensifies the flavor.
- Avocado oil is one of the best possible oils for roasting at high temperatures. It's very heat stable with one of the highest smoke points which is the point where oil starts to smoke and burn.
- No leftovers? No problem. You can make this recipe with a 2-3 pound fully cooked boneless ham depending on how many people you have to serve. Just cut it up into bite-size pieces.
- This recipe will be delicious swapping out the ham with chicken or turkey, as well.
- Serving suggestion: sprinkle paprika on top of the casserole to add even more flavor.
Nutrition
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